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Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

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.

AnderWald: A place full of stories

This tale began not in a cellar, not in a distillery, but in a small pub in Dublin. A place full of stories, with golden drops that whispered of old recipes. It was there that they had the idea to create their own fine spirits, not just to enjoy the ones already there. Unique pieces as an expression of their own path. Where small miracles are created from water, fire, earth and time. And where every drop tells the story of its origin.

This young, independent spirits producer in Deutsch-Brodersdorf is dedicated to combining regionality, traditional distilling craftsmanship and innovative barrel ageing. Philipp Zima, a trained chemist, developed the recipes and production processes himself with scientific precision. Raw materials such as Styrian apples for the brandy and Viennese barley malt for the whisky are used in the process. They have respect for the classics, as well as the courage to think differently. Their heart is in nature, their gaze is deep – and their curiosity is fuelled by alchemy.

Maturation takes place in selected European barrels, as well as classic oak and local chestnut wood, which lends a unique, warm aroma. A central element of the philosophy is the targeted barrel reference: their own maturing barrels filled with apple brandy are used for individual maturation. Sustainability, transparency in the origin of raw materials and uncompromising quality characterise the way they work.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Silver for Single Malt Whisky Wiener Malz, Apfel Edelbrand Holz and Wodka Reserve.

Domäne Wachau: All about the grape

Austria’s most precious collection of old brandies lies in the impressive cellars of Domäne Wachau in Dürnstein. Approximately 250 winegrowing families belong to this internationally renowned wine-growers’ association. They cultivate their vineyards throughout the Wachau with an artisanal ap-proach as well as an abundance of experience and passion.

A wide range of quality wines is the foundation of production, while there is also a focus on high-proof specialities. Domäne Wachau can look back on a very long tradition of wine distillery. Over 300 years ago, Provost Hieronymus Übelbacher, builder of the Dürnstein Kellerschlössl wine cellar, wrote about the Wachau ‘Prandewein’ (brandy). Distillation has taken place in the modern style since the 1960s, with terrace wines from the Wachau and particular emphasis on the regional character.

With a regional focus and characterised by the Grüner Veltliner grape variety and the unique Wachau terroir, Veltliner brandies are double distilled in copper vats and then stored for many years in the baroque cellar at the foot of the Ried Kellerberg vineyard. The XA22 Grüner Veltliner wine brandy matures for about 22 years in small, wooden barrels to become a spicy Veltliner brandy with a strong structure and authentic character.

At the World Spirits Award, the XA22 Grüner Veltliner wine brandy won gold.