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LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.

Emperador Distillers – Filipino premium products

Emperador Distillers (EDI) is the largest spirits company in the Philippines and introduced their first brandy label in 1990. Before that, established manufacturers of gin and rum dominated the country’s spirit market. EDI managed to create a demand for brandy through dynamic marketing and high product quality. These days, this is sold in 40 countries in Asia, North America, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. With Emperador Light, in 2010 EDI reacted to the growing market for alcoholic drinks with low alcohol content, thereby targeting younger consumers.

In 2014 and 2015, EDI took over Whyte and Mackay in Great Britain and entered the market for Scotch whisky, and with the purchase of the brandy and sherry segments of Beam Suntory – Bodegas Fundador – in February 2016, the entire spirits business was strengthened. As a global company they are now able to benefit from a worldwide sales network which is represented by a wide range of brandies and whiskies on the market. In addition, there is also rum and aromatised vodka, gin and tequila under the brand name ‘The BaR’.

EDI has a comprehensive countrywide sales network, which gives them a clear competitive advantage. Over 22 sales offices distribute the products to more than 121,000 sales points – involving around 1,000 employees and more than 500 vehicles. Most of the sales representatives are employed internally, which has contributed to higher motivation and thus to the strong increase in sales.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Rum Zabana Premium White.

Caribbean Spirits Limited: Small batches from the Caribbean

Eike Lauff, an international chef with various branches of his parents’ restaurant around the world, from Germany to Canada and the Caribbean, has been involved in the spirits sector since 2015. At the heart of his idea is the principle of only using local tropical fruits from the island of St. Lucia to produce Caribbean spirits. What began as a hobby quickly gained in popularity, especially on the local tourist market.

The raw material comes from island farmers as well as from private gardens belonging to islanders with surplus seasonal fruit. Handmade small batches from one copper pot still are currently available in six varieties: four Eau de Vie, a vodka made with taro, a starchy tuber, and a gin, made with juniper berries and a selection of local botanicals.

Caribbean Craft Distilling is currently only marketed in St. Lucia, and Eike Lauff works with the retailer Island Mix Café/Craftstore in the Rodney Bay Community for all spirits. Many hotels, restaurants and resorts, including Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Coco Palm Resort, already appreciate the variety and quality of the products.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Five Finger Gin and Taro Vodka.