World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now
The ultimate guide through the world of spirits - with current ratings of the best distilleries and commercial enterprises.
Order it now on-line: for Euro 72.- per year
Order it now on-line: for Euro 72.- per year
Destillerie
Company:
Pirker GmbH
Address:
Grazer Straße 10
Place:
8630 Mariazell
Country:
Austria
Homepage:
Products:
- Obst-Brände
- Obst-Geiste & Spirituosen
- Korn
- Liköre
Brennerei Pirker: Masterpieces from Mariazell
Austrian gingerbread and mead production and candle dipping each have a long-standing tradition dating back over 300 years in Mariazell. The Pirker family still practise, preserve and bring to life these fascinating crafts today. Katharina Pirker and Georg Rippel-Pirker run this Upper Styrian model business with lots of enthusiasm and creativity, earning them the Styrian coat of arms. In addition to traditional and local fruit varieties, special fruits are also distilled into organic orange brandy, honey brandy and rice brandy which is sold as far afield as Japan.
At Pirker’s, tradition is combined with zeitgeist: brandies, mead, original Mariazell herb bitter (from local herbs, with no added sugar) and gingerbread liqueur are carefully produced and impressively presented. The company has won numerous awards, confirming its high quality standards – only the very best pure monovarietal fruits, herbs, honey and hand-selected spices are processed and distilled. Pirker’s entire product range is made up of more than 400 homemade specialities, ranging from exquisite brandies, liqueurs and Mariazell honey gingerbread to mead, handmade beeswax candles and high-quality vinegars from their own vinegar production facility.
At the World Spirits Award, the Master Class Distillery 2024 was awarded gold for Gingerbread Liqueur, Blackcurrant, Egg Liqueur, Swiss Pine Spirit, Herb Bitter, Cornel Cherry, Damson and Green Williams Pear, and silver for Orange, Raspberry, Bird Cherry and Rowanberry.
Austrian gingerbread and mead production and candle dipping each have a long-standing tradition dating back over 300 years in Mariazell. The Pirker family still practise, preserve and bring to life these fascinating crafts today. Katharina Pirker and Georg Rippel-Pirker run this Upper Styrian model business with lots of enthusiasm and creativity, earning them the Styrian coat of arms. In addition to traditional and local fruit varieties, special fruits are also distilled into organic orange brandy, honey brandy and rice brandy which is sold as far afield as Japan.
At Pirker’s, tradition is combined with zeitgeist: brandies, mead, original Mariazell herb bitter (from local herbs, with no added sugar) and gingerbread liqueur are carefully produced and impressively presented. The company has won numerous awards, confirming its high quality standards – only the very best pure monovarietal fruits, herbs, honey and hand-selected spices are processed and distilled. Pirker’s entire product range is made up of more than 400 homemade specialities, ranging from exquisite brandies, liqueurs and Mariazell honey gingerbread to mead, handmade beeswax candles and high-quality vinegars from their own vinegar production facility.
At the World Spirits Award, the Master Class Distillery 2024 was awarded gold for Gingerbread Liqueur, Blackcurrant, Egg Liqueur, Swiss Pine Spirit, Herb Bitter, Cornel Cherry, Damson and Green Williams Pear, and silver for Orange, Raspberry, Bird Cherry and Rowanberry.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 94.7 | Kräuterbitter | 2024 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Kornelkirsche | 2024 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Zirbengeist | 2024 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Zwetschke | 2024 | Details |
| Gold | 92.7 | Lebkuchenlikör | 2024 | Details |
| Gold | 92.7 | Eierlikör | 2024 | Details |
| Gold | 91.3 | Grüne Williams | 2024 | Details |
| Gold | 90.3 | Schwarze Johannisbeere | 2024 | Details |
| Silver | 88 | Orange | 2024 | Details |
| Silver | 85 | Himbeere | 2024 | Details |
| Silver | 80 | Vogelbeere | 2024 | Details |
| Silver | 80 | Traubenkirsche | 2024 | Details |
Destillerie
Company:
Dism
Address:
Geilartún 8
Place:
100 Tórshavn
Country:
Faroe Islands
Homepage:
Products:
- Wodka
- Aquavit
DISM – A little water from the homeland of the Vikings
In contrast to the long history of the northern islands, the spirits from DISM have only been on the market since 2008. The small, select range comprises four products, which are all based on the extraordinary spring water of the Faroe Islands. Filtered through the basalt mountains, it emerges clear and unpolluted. Once only enjoyed by Vikings and pirates, now occasionally by their descendants …
The man behind DISM is Eidesgaard Erling, a newcomer from the world of the internet. As with all the inhabitants of the archipelago he was used to drinking a welcoming schnapps before dinner. This strong tradition is, however, a contrast to the fact that there was no distillery on the Faroe Islands. The schnapps came from Denmark. And that annoyed him. His response: “I’ll make schnapps myself!” Or to put it better, he sought out a top quality base alcohol (from wheat), and then attended to the blending and bottling.
ELDVATN is the name of the premium vodka, LÍVSINS the traditional, mild aquavit from spring water and herbs, in particular angelica and cumin. HAVIÐ claims the title of ‘The world’s strongest aquavit’ (with 50 volume percent, just as the Vikings would have liked it). The fourth in the set is BARALDUR (= juniper), the special gin, which is said to have healing properties. However, the water is of vital importance, it is what gives the ‘good spirits’ their soul. If you don’t believe it, you should take a look at www.dism.fo – the breathtaking photos speak for themselves and the fascinating islands.
At the World Spirits Award, Livsins Vatn, Baraldur and Eldvatn won gold, Havid silver.
In contrast to the long history of the northern islands, the spirits from DISM have only been on the market since 2008. The small, select range comprises four products, which are all based on the extraordinary spring water of the Faroe Islands. Filtered through the basalt mountains, it emerges clear and unpolluted. Once only enjoyed by Vikings and pirates, now occasionally by their descendants …
The man behind DISM is Eidesgaard Erling, a newcomer from the world of the internet. As with all the inhabitants of the archipelago he was used to drinking a welcoming schnapps before dinner. This strong tradition is, however, a contrast to the fact that there was no distillery on the Faroe Islands. The schnapps came from Denmark. And that annoyed him. His response: “I’ll make schnapps myself!” Or to put it better, he sought out a top quality base alcohol (from wheat), and then attended to the blending and bottling.
ELDVATN is the name of the premium vodka, LÍVSINS the traditional, mild aquavit from spring water and herbs, in particular angelica and cumin. HAVIÐ claims the title of ‘The world’s strongest aquavit’ (with 50 volume percent, just as the Vikings would have liked it). The fourth in the set is BARALDUR (= juniper), the special gin, which is said to have healing properties. However, the water is of vital importance, it is what gives the ‘good spirits’ their soul. If you don’t believe it, you should take a look at www.dism.fo – the breathtaking photos speak for themselves and the fascinating islands.
At the World Spirits Award, Livsins Vatn, Baraldur and Eldvatn won gold, Havid silver.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 92 | Livsins Vatn | 2014 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Baraldur | 2014 | Details |
| Gold | 91 | Eldvatn | 2014 | Details |
| Silver | 89 | Havid | 2014 | Details |
Handel
Company:
Edward Snell & Co Ltd (PTY)
Address:
13 Wallflower street, Paarden Eiland
Place:
7420 Cape Town
Country:
South Africa
Homepage:
Products:
- Spirituosen Wiederverkauf
Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa
Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.
The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.
At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.
Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.
The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.
At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 92 | Firstwatch | 2018 | Details |
Handel
Company:
S.P.I. Spirits Ltd., Cyprus Stolichnaya
Address:
Kanika Business Center, 5th floor
Place:
3311 Cyprus Limassol
Country:
Cyprus
Products:
- Spirituosen Wiederverkauf
- Destillerie
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double-Gold | 95.7 | Stolichnaya Gold | 2013 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Stolichnaya Premium Vodka | 2013 | Details |






