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De Kuyper Royal Distillers: Liqueur specialist with a long tradition

Founded in 1695 by Petrus de Kuyper, the renowned company received the title of ‘Royal Distillers’ on the occasion of Queen Beatrix’ 300th birthday. These days the spirit producer, now in its tenth generation, is one of the ten oldest family businesses in the Netherlands. The headquarters is the large distillery in Schiedam, and Mark de Witte is the CEO of the company.

The portfolio covers a wide selection of premium cocktail liqueurs and premium spirits. The focus products are De Kuyper liqueurs as the backbone of the business, Rutte Gin & Genever, botanical experts since 1872, the cognac liqueur Mandarine Napoléon, Peachtree, the only real peach liqueur in the world, Cherry Heering Liqueur, founded in 1818 and known worldwide as Cherry Brandy, and Bébo, a Cuban coffee liqueur.

The company, with over 100 employees, is world market leader in cocktail liqueurs with exports to 100 markets worldwide and a total volume of three million 9-litre containers. Key markets are the Netherlands and the USA, the largest cocktail market in the world, as well as further influential European and Asian markets, such as Great Britain, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Rutte Dry Gin (Spirit of the Year & World Spirits Award 2019), gold for Rutte Celery Gin and Rutte Sloe Gin, and silver for Rutte Old Simon Genever, Bébo and Mandarine Napoléon.

Martin Miller’s Gin – Unmistakable thanks to Icelandic spring water

With a global presence in more than 55 countries on all continents, Martin Miller is the largest independent gin brand in the world – supremely award-winning and with a highly complex production. The concept originated from three friends: Martin Miller, David Bromige and Andreas Versteegh. With the super premium product at the turn of the millennium, they triggered a real gin wave and managed to create an unexpected renaissance for the spirit classic which had, at that time, rather faded away.

The unique selling point of Martin Miller’s Gin is that it is the only gin for which spring water from Iceland is used. This is much purer than any other mineral water, has a low concentration of minerals, and complements the botanicals perfectly. The classic taste profile boasts perfectly balanced hints of citrus fruits and juniper. In contrast to other gin brands, for which demineralised water is used, with Martin Miller’s Gin the surface tension is maintained, which prevents fast evaporation. The pleasing result is a soft, almost tender sensation in the mouth without any sort of sharpness.

Some tea production philosophy flows into the making of the gin, whereby the botanicals are carefully macerated over a longer period in order to extract every nuance of essential oils and aromas. This can be compared to haute cuisine, where more gentle methods of preparation are also preferred. Pure perfectionism – work and cost intensive, but the end result is a magical elixir for the new millennium.

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.

MBG International Premium Brands – Brands with added value

“We Love Liquids.” This slogan has accompanied MBG on its worldwide path of success since it was founded in 1993 under the name P.O.S. Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH: Strong brands have been established around the world in nearly 60 countries, with innovative own brands, renowned retail brands, great ideas and a lot of energy. With over 250 employees, the MBG Group currently generates over € 200 million and, every year, more than a million hectolitres are produced. The portfolio in Germany includes 12 own brands and 6 retail brands (from non-alcoholic drinks to low proof drinks to wines & spirits) for 90,000 customers.

“Our recipe for successful brands is the mixture of passion, conviction and knowledge of the market. If all goes well, names and products become new worlds which consumers love. Success is not always predictable, which means that courage is needed above all. The right moment has to be found and hard work put in, just like with a hit single: some are one hit wonders while others become classics.” Little can be added to this definition from Managing Director Andreas W. Herb. From the MBG Group headquarters in Paderborn, a great deal of expertise makes successful brands, tailored to the respective target group and the market segment. Many brands that are well known on shop shelves and in the gastronomy sector have played a role in the history of the company.

Participation in the World Spirits Award yielded gold for Dos Mas Nasty Nuts Shot.