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Korn- und Edelobstbrennerei Schlitzer: Enjoyment backed by history

The foundation stone was laid in 1585 by Count Eustach von Schlitz, who first brewed beer in the little village of Sandlofs – today a district of the town of Schlitz. In 1616, a distillery was built next to the brewery, and then a good 100 years later a new building was constructed at the Auerhahn brewery, as it was called back then. It is documented that the Counts of Schlitz owned the distilling rights from 1732. Over centuries, grain spirit was made from regional wheat in this area. In the 1950s, the distillery was relocated to its present-day site, the former count’s sheep farm. In 1969, the Graf Görtz’sche Kornbrennerei along with the Karlshof was transferred to the ownership of the state of Hesse and was a state enterprise until 30 September 2006. In 2006, the town of Schlitz bought the company and founded Schlitzer Korn- und Edelobstbrennerei GmbH, with Schlitz (90%) and Hünfeld (10%) as stakeholders.

The product range is comprised of grain and fine fruit brandies, as well as fruit and herb liqueurs, and since the beginning of the 1980s also whisky. Managing Director Tobias Wiedelbach and his team continue to create the finest brandies at the same site, even though the head office and owners have changed. Many of the products draw on centuries-old recipes. The long-established distillery in the picturesque castle town is also a worthwhile tourist destination. Guided tours take you through the grain and whisky distillery, distillation, storage cellar, fine fruit distillery and bottling plant, showing the varied world of distilling. The outlet sales point has been newly designed, using original Schlitz barrels.

At the World Spirits Award, Milde Himbeere (raspberry) achieved gold, while Whisky Liqueur and Burgen Dry Gin achieved silver.

Milano Dry Gin – As clear and structured as ice

Milan’s first real London Dry Gin has an unusual name: Giass – which means ice. Five friends who enjoy meeting up for an aperitif in the evening are behind it: Andrea and Simone Romiti, Richard D'Annunzio, Francesco Niutta and Francesco Braggiotti. The simple, time-honoured ritual is the same as the process that turns clear water into a structured block of ice – transparent and brilliant in its recurring irregularity. This idea would eventually lead to a very individual gin.

Within the framework of the EXPO 2015, Andrea and Simone worked on a project on wine, food and quality drinks. Richard, a passionate barman who likes to spend his time creating new drinks, joined them. For gin-based cocktails he turned his kitchen into a lab, the dishwasher became an improvised ‘distillery’, where he ‘brewed’ herb extracts in 30 minutes at 65 degrees. So the idea emerged to produce their own gin – and they bought a 3-litre distillation flask.

In search of the botanicals, the friends decided on 18 ingredients: juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, dried apple, dried orange peel, rose petals, camomile flowers, violet flowers, orange blossom, hibiscus flowers, ground almonds, mint leaves, fennel seeds, lemon verbena, cardamom seeds, lemon balm, cinnamon and thyme. The gin is sold in an elegant, screen printed bottle, inspired by the floors of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

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

Berentzen Group: 260 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.