World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Spezialitätenbrennerei Lagler – The number one in southern Burgenland

25 quality brandies, 6 liqueurs, 3 Pannonian whiskys – this broad-based programme comes from Kukmirn, the largest fruit-farming community in Burgenland (400 ha). Or more precisely, from the well-being hotel of the Lagler family where speciality distilling is accorded particular significance in addition to a well-being oasis and seminar area. Everything which grows and tastes good has been processed to form brandy here since 1980: from apples, pears, cherries, plums and pomace to berries, wild fruits and rarities such as peach, sloe and Uhudler. The products are best sampled as part of a tasting visit to the distillery complete with an expert tour and friendly advice.

13 hectares of fruit plantations in a top location around the hotel form the natural basis for the product range. Production is based on a natural process and harvesting takes place in accordance with extensive quality controls. Pest control and fertilizer is kept to a minimum, which has a very positive impact on the flavour of the fruits. The company has been developed with tradition over the generations, based on the Maria Theresa distilling grant. The pleasure of the experience involves submersing yourself in the pleasant atmosphere: the family-owned 4-star hotel close to the untouched natural landscapes offers pure quality living in the thermal regions of southern Burgenland. An energy-charging point for relaxation-seekers, a source of energy for fans of down-to-earth cuisine and the ideal destination for top wine and fine distillate enthusiasts.

Participation in the World Spirits Award saw the company’s success continued with classification as a World Class Distillery 2013. There was gold for the cask-aged Uhudler brandy, corn malt and yellow muscatel pomace and silver for the pear brandy, rowanberry brandy and plum brandy.

Emil Scheibel Schwarzwald-Brennerei: With hydropower to whisky

Michael Scheibel has breathed new life into the disused Scheibel mill in Kappelrodeck. Single malt whisky has been produced here since 2014; the first batch came on the market in 2018 after more than three years’ storage. The listed building has been lovingly restored while historical details were preserved. A turbine from 1954 provides power, and any surplus goes directly into the distillery and the public network. “Grain still plays a central role here, but now in liquid form,” says the company boss.

The hand-hammered copper stills with the typical swan’s neck were especially designed for the distillery and guarantee consistent quality. “They catch the eye from the visitors’ room,” says chief distiller Frank Blechschmidt. The whisky benefits from the architecture of the mill when maturing as it is stored on four levels with different temperature and climate zones. The Acher River under the mill provides coolness and humidity. “In summer, temperatures reach 45 degrees under the roof, in winter it’s common to see temperatures of minus 10,” says Michael Scheibel. “This ensures movement in the barrel and creates the heartbeat of our single malt whisky.”

Under the brand names EMILL Stockwerk, with 46 per cent alcohol by volume, and EMILL Kraftwerk, at cask strength with 58.7 per cent alcohol by volume, there are currently two products available at the mill and online.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Emill Single Malt Whisky Stockwerk and Emill Single Malt Whisky Kraftwerk.

Stock Polska – Prestige products with history

Polmos Lublin (known today as Stock Polska) was founded by the industrialist Emil Plage in Lublin in 1906 and was able to survive both world wars and the communist state leadership. The company was nationalised in 1948 and re-privatised in 2001. It traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange until 2005 and was sold in 2006. The new owners, Oaktree Capital Management, purchased the spirits division from Eckes Stock in 2007 and thereby laid the foundations for the current Stock Spirits Group. The company has its headquarters in Luxembourg, its service centre in Great Britain and its production sites in the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland.

Stock dates back to the year 1884 when Lionello Stock founded a beverages business in Trieste. He purchased a distillery in 1920 in what is currently part of the Czech Republic with the aim of tapping into new markets. This was followed by distilleries, bottling plants and warehouses in Italy, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia. In the 1920s, Stock was one of the biggest companies of its kind in Europe.

After an absence of 70 years, Stock returned to Poland and began to manufacture at the historic site of Lublin, 150 kilometres south-east of Warsaw. Intensive investment led to the creation of the most modern distillery in Poland and a leadership position on the vodka market. Poland’s most popular flavoured vodka is produced here: Zoladkowa Gorzka.

Lots of Stock products are produced by traditional recipes. These classical brands appeal to connoisseurs all over the world. In return, work is constantly being done on innovations that correspond to modern tastes and new drinking cultures. Quality standards are constantly upheld in both areas, of course.

The quality of the products was recognised at the World Spirits Award with a gold medal for the Orkisz Spelt Vodka.

2B Hemp Gin: Styrian gin experience

Two visionaries, Armin Breinl (doctor, drink creator, musician) and Wolfgang Thomann (gin maker), have created a completely new gin experience with real hemp powder: 2B HEMP GIN (inspired by AEIJST). On 17th November 2018, the two invited guests to the first tasting of 2B HEMP GIN in the AEIJST GIN distillery in St. Nikolai in the Sausal Valley.

Made from organic juniper berries, this innovative gin has an impressive, mild and fruity taste and a typical hemp note. Due to its unique aroma, it not only tastes good neat, but also creates a ‘wow’ effect in cocktails – as proven in the long drink Styrian Pale Gin AEIJST refined with 2B HEMP.

For thousands of years, hemp has been grown as a valuable plant, be it for rope, fabric, paper or as an active ingredient in ointments and tinctures. Hemp has always been highly valued for its medicinal properties, yet recently has been demonised as an addictive drug and has suffered under its ensuing prohibition, originating in the USA. These days hemp is regaining importance and is being used more as a luxury food as well as in medicine as a therapeutic agent.

The Lifestyle Trading company, run by Armin Breinl, is an innovative beverage producer, which is already known amongst trade professionals for its sugar-free ‘func- tional fruit drinks’. The drinks have a high fruit content (more than 50 per cent) and additional natural, vital substances and have an energising, relaxing and regenerative effect.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for 2B HEMP GIN.