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Roust Hungary: Affordable luxury on the spirits market

Roust was founded in 1992 by the Russian businessman Roustam Tariko and quickly developed into a leading business group in the sale of premium spirits brands. One of the world’s leading vodka producers, the company is present in more than 80 countries. Roust owns production plants and distribution centres in Hungary, Russia and Italy. The comprehensive portfolio includes the flagship vodka brands of Russian Standard, Green Mark, Parliament and Zhuravli.

Thanks to its extensive knowledge in sales and marketing and its commitment to responsible alcohol consumption, Roust Hungary has become the leading supplier on the domestic spirits market. The largest premium spirits company in Hungary also sells the Royal, Zubrówka, Russian Standard, Gancia, Grants, Jägermeister and Metaxa brands.

For years, Royal Vodka has maintained its position as the most popular and well-known vodka brand in Hungary, and also remains market leader in terms of volume and turnover. Royal Vodka is produced using natural ingredients, from the grain to the well water, which contributes to its mild taste.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Royal Original Vodka, and bronze for Royal Raspberry Liqueur.

Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.

Sláinte Irish Whiskey: Brand with a charity background

The founders of Sláinte Irish Whiskey include Liev Schreiber, an American actor and director, as well as ambassador and shareholder of Sláinte™ Irish Whiskey. In September 2022, he introduced a new premium Irish whiskey brand, with which money is collected for Blue Check. This is a collective that Schreiber co-founded which consists of experts for humanitarian crisis responses, entrepreneurs and filmmakers concerned with the needs of people affected by conflicts and who document solidarity movements against oppression.

The result is a whiskey in cooperation with the industry expert Richard Davies. The involvement of Liev Schreiber is an opportunity for the brand to establish itself quickly as a premium Irish whiskey. “This brand started promisingly with an act of charity. The barrel with old single malt donated to Richard was completely unexpected and hopefully the start of something we will do for many years.”

The unique, mild Sláinte Irish Whiskey Smooth Blend (slightly sweetish grain and dry single malt) was developed by the renowned master distiller Brian Watts and distilled three times on the Green Island in County Louth, matured in American bourbon oak barrels and finished in sherry barrels.

The name Sláinte® (pronounced SLAHN-CHA) is also a wonderful Gaelic expression, used as a toast – and means nothing other than cheers!

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Sláinte Irish Whiskey Smooth Blend.

Spezialitätenbrennerei Lagler – The number one in southern Burgenland

25 quality brandies, 6 liqueurs, 3 Pannonian whiskys – this broad-based programme comes from Kukmirn, the largest fruit-farming community in Burgenland (400 ha). Or more precisely, from the well-being hotel of the Lagler family where speciality distilling is accorded particular significance in addition to a well-being oasis and seminar area. Everything which grows and tastes good has been processed to form brandy here since 1980: from apples, pears, cherries, plums and pomace to berries, wild fruits and rarities such as peach, sloe and Uhudler. The products are best sampled as part of a tasting visit to the distillery complete with an expert tour and friendly advice.

13 hectares of fruit plantations in a top location around the hotel form the natural basis for the product range. Production is based on a natural process and harvesting takes place in accordance with extensive quality controls. Pest control and fertilizer is kept to a minimum, which has a very positive impact on the flavour of the fruits. The company has been developed with tradition over the generations, based on the Maria Theresa distilling grant. The pleasure of the experience involves submersing yourself in the pleasant atmosphere: the family-owned 4-star hotel close to the untouched natural landscapes offers pure quality living in the thermal regions of southern Burgenland. An energy-charging point for relaxation-seekers, a source of energy for fans of down-to-earth cuisine and the ideal destination for top wine and fine distillate enthusiasts.

Participation in the World Spirits Award saw the company’s success continued with classification as a World Class Distillery 2013. There was gold for the cask-aged Uhudler brandy, corn malt and yellow muscatel pomace and silver for the pear brandy, rowanberry brandy and plum brandy.