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Seyringer Schlossbrände – Long-standing Austrian schnapps culture

According to the motto of Seyringer Schlossbrände, things which have always been good still taste excellent today. The “good old days” are being brought back to life through the product accessories. The company’s brand image was carefully revised in 2006, taking account of its historical aspect. The new features include a special bottle with a handle, exclusively crafted for the company on the basis of a design that is more than 150 years old. With bottle sizes of 0.5, 0.2 and “handy” 0.04 litres, many needs are met.

Seyringer Schlossbrände products combine tradition and taste. Prepared on the basis of traditional rules of the art of distilling, the specialities embody both the past and the future. With their reference to the imperial history – “kaiserlich-königliche Schnaps-Kultur” – and the respective design, Seyringer Schlossbrände’s market presence is bound to be a success. The brand’s symbolism convinces in a variety of different uses – such as the design of small souvenirs or special promotions in the retail trade.

Seyring Castle, in imperial times a country estate, lends its name to the eponymous castle spirits, representing a part of the Austrian spirits culture. The broad range of products comprises traditional Austrian fruit spirits, fruit schnapps and fruit liqueurs, such as Williams pear, apricot, plum, cherry, raspberry, “Obstler” (mixed fruit schnapps) and gentian spirits. Liqueurs on a fruit juice and fruit distillate basis made according to ancient recipes represent an innovation.

The classics – Jagatee (tea with schnapps), apricot liqueur and gentian were all awarded gold at the World-Spirits Award, and the cherry liqueur received a silver. There were also three golds in the fruit spirits category.

Die Brau- & Brennwerkstatt: Great taste from the Swabian Forest

The ‘distillery workshop’ in Welzheim is a handcrafted masterpiece, designed and modified especially according to the wishes and requirements of master brewer Mark Schlaipfer. After over 25 years of experience in the industry and many years of distilling fine spirits, he began to produce gin in 2016. The aim is for straightforward and good products with a connection to the region, the Welzheim Forest, as the quality of a gin depends largely on the spices and flavour carriers. With great love for detail the recipes are fine-tuned, fir tree shoots collected and herbs selected. Very deliberately, only small batches are produced, carefully and without rushing – but with lots of love.

After the High Fir Welzheimer Wald Dry Gin, new creations such as the High Fir Summer Edition, High Fir Pimped Peach Gin and Waldfee Liqueur were developed.
The new Barbar London Dry Gin with eleven botanicals is another product with an interesting connection to the region. Welzheim is located at the “Limes”, the frontier wall between the Germanic and Roman empires. Cultural exchange also occurred here, and the cuisine was enriched by both cultures. Thus this gin is a combination of Mediterranean herbs, local spices and fruits such as apple and elderberry. In addition, almost forgotten spices, such as fenugreek seeds, are macerated. The result is a Mediterranean, fruity combination with a peppery sharpness.

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

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.