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Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.

Inner Circle Rum – Sailing towards success

How does a world-class sportsman turn himself into a rum producer? And even make it a tremendous success story! Stuart Gilbert, a multiple world champion sailor who participated in the 1984 Olympic Games, shows how it can be done, with the successful re-launch of Australia’s best rum which quickly acquired worldwide recognition and was awarded prizes at wine and spirit competitions in London, Frankfurt and Chicago. In 2007, Inner Circle was taken over by Lion Nathan Australia (since 2011, it has been operated by Lion alone following a company reorganisation) and incorporated into their New Zealand range. Their competence and capacity to distribute at an international level guarantee a further positive development, as is shown by the sales figures and results of tastings.

Originally produced for the Colonial Sugar Refinery’s “inner circle of management and favoured clients” in the mid-19th century, this popular rum was available until 1986. When the company was sold, the brand Inner Circle – an Australian icon – was discontinued. Stuart Gilbert, a great fan of this particular rum, found himself missing it keenly. He tasted all the rums of this world, but none compared to the favoured flavour. He then decided to put his money where his mouth wanted to be and contacted Malcolm Campbell, the last master blender of Inner Circle, who still owned the original recipe and yeast. After buying the brand rights, Gilbert bought Beenleigh Distillery, the oldest registered distillery in Australia, in 2004 and as such acquired an industrial monument.

The Australian rum trio was again successful at the World Spirits Award with a double gold, Best in Category and Spirit of the Year for the Rum Grey, gold for the Rum Green and silver for the Rum Red.

Highclere Castle Spirits: Traditional gin with style

Highclere Castle is a manor house in the neo-Renaissance style dating back to the 19th century, located in the county of Hampshire to the south-west of London. The exquisite country house has been the home of the Carnarvon family for more than 300 years and clearly has a long and rich past. The typically English park is located within the 1,000 hectare grounds of gentle hills and woodlands. Over the centuries, visitors have included kings and artists, statesmen and authors. The etiquette involved in playing host to such noteworthy guests has been perfected over generations.

Today, Lady Carnarvon still welcomes friends and guests in the drawing room or on the lawn with a gin cocktail or traditional gin and tonic – traditionally with the juice and peel of fresh oranges and a sprig of rosemary from the garden. Juniper has grown wild on the grounds since Roman times and forms the backbone of the first-class London Dry Gin. In the family archives, recipes can be found from the early 20th century, which were painstakingly fine-tuned over the space of two years. At the heart of it all is juniper, which is joined by lavender, lime blossom and orange peel. The unusual addition of oats as a botanical creates a creamy note.

Highclere Castle Gin is produced in England’s oldest gin distillery from the 19th century, above an ancient underground spring. Continuous improvements and a long tradition have led to a facility being established in which worldwide prize-winning gins of the highest quality are produced.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Highclere Castle Gin.