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AXIS Flight Training Systems: Axis Gin

AXIS Flight Training Systems is a manufacturer of full flight D level simulators – the highest qualification level. The idea of distilling his own gin came from Managing Director Christian Theuermann in January 2023. After visiting several distilleries, the Krauss Distillery was chosen, where the gin is produced according to their own recipe. Juniper was used predominantly, with Andaliman pepper, lavender, lemon and cardamom as botanicals. The fact that five botanicals have been chosen is intended to indicate that the company is represented on five continents.

After four weeks of maceration of the botanicals, distillation takes place, followed by the addition of water to adjust to drinking strength. The gin is bottled at 47 percent by volume because the holding company is based in Zurich and Lebring in Styria is headquarters – and both are on the 47th latitude.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for 47° London Dry Gin Reserva, and Silver for 47° Master Blend Rum.

Freimut Spirits – Vodka with an original taste

The new premium vodka with a name that speaks volumes. Freimut (‘frankness’) breaks with tradition and has a mild taste of rye – rather unusual for the industry. “I asked myself whether almost endless distillation processes or filtering through diamonds or gold really helped produce a better taste”, says Florian Renschin. The businessman from Wiesbaden is a perfectionist who doesn’t simply accept the status quo, but questions everything. This caused him to produce a vodka himself, which matches his demands and his passion for high-quality spirits.
“When I took on the task of making a really good vodka, ‘made in Germany’, it quickly became clear that I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own”, he says. “That is why I looked for a partner who shared my vision of a new, tastier vodka, which can convey the character of the rye as much as possible. The secret to perfect vodka is to use just a few, high-quality raw materials and to have complete influence on all production phases.” The North German Champagne Rye from the Niederlausitzer Heideland region, an ancient strain, was basically the only ingredient for Freimut vodka. 30 percent is prepared in a specialised Bavarian malthouse, the rest of the grain goes directly to the distillery, is crushed shortly before the mash is prepared and added to the malt of the same type. Fermentation takes four times longer than industrially produced vodka, which is how the spicy flavour and the subtle sweetness develop. Soft spring water from the Nordenau slate mine is used to bring it down to a drinking strength of 40 percent alcohol by volume. Following the motto ‘as natural as possible’, all ingredients carry the EU organic certificate and come from Germany, so that transport distances are also kept short.

At the World Spirits Award, the Freimut Vodka was awarded silver.

Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.