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Schwarze & Schlichte – Brand personalities from Westphalia

The family business Schwarze & Schlichte from Westphalia has been representing the highest quality spirits for the last 345 years with a distinct range of national specialities, regional traditional brands and successful international innovations. This top quality is based on a distilling tradition acquired over centuries which has been passed down over twelve generations. Even today, distilling and maceration still take place at the company’s own distillery where plenty of time and skill are invested. The selection and processing of the best raw materials and continuous control of the production process ensure a consistently high quality. One factor for success is the ongoing brand management in accordance with the specific requirements of the various brand personalities.

Three Sixty Vodka is one of the purest and mildest vodkas in the world. A fourfold distillation process ensures tangible softness and exceptional clarity while the purity of the vodka is all down to the time-consuming “Diamond Filtration” process: the finest filters are used, set with crystals like diamond dust, to remove even the smallest of suspended particles from the distillate. Even the packaging is unique: the facet-cut bottle of pure white shiny glass sets off this premium vodka to perfection. A black velvet label completes the sophisticated design.

The Grappa Bianca from Scavi & Ray is characterised by its full-bodied balanced flavour with powerful and intense aromas of marc. This crystal-clear brandy is soft and deliciously balanced thanks to the exquisite skill of the master distillery. The intense and fruity aroma is reminiscent of the sun-soaked vineyards in Italy.

Both products received a silver medal at the World-Spirits.

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.

APU – From small state monopoly to global player

APU is an abbreviation of the Mongolian words Arkhi (vodka), Pivo (beer) and Undaa (drinks). Since it was first established in 1924 as a state-owned enterprise with 14 employees, APU has developed to become a leading producer in the beverage industry with more than 800 skilled employees. The broad product range extends from vodka (more than 40% market share) to beer, milk, juice and soft drinks and is distributed to more than 6,000 sales points by the country’s largest distribution network. Exports are also on the increase.

APU was converted to a joint stock company in 1992 with 49% of the shares being listed on the new Mongolian stock exchange. Privatisation was completed in 2001 when the existing management took control of the oldest company in Mongolia. 51% of the state-owned shares were publicly auctioned off. By 2004, the company had developed a state-of-the-art brewery and vodka distillery with an output of 6 to 8 million litres per year – the result of an investment programme totalling 45 million USD. The distillation process has been fully automated and computer-controlled since 2009 with a daily production of 15,000 litres. Further expansions took place in 2010 and the capacity currently totals 10 million litres. The technology and distillation equipment was supplied by leading companies in Germany, Italy and Austria.

APU is renowned for producing the purest vodka from the most refined wheat on the extensive steppe land areas of Mongolia. Spring water taken from a depth of 179 metres adds the finishing touch. Nine vodka brands are produced at the country’s biggest distillery, two of them specifically for the global market: Chinggis Khan and Soyombo. This year again, both won over the jury at the World Spirits Award: the Grain Vodka Chinggis Khan (Spirit of the Year 2014 & World Spirits Award 2014) received double gold and the Grain Vodka Soyombo was awarded gold.