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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.

LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.

Zwack – Hungary’s number one

Hungary’s ‘national drink’ Unicum was first produced in 1790 by a doctor to the royal court of Emperor Joseph II. This was the start of a success story which continues to the present day. The company was founded in 1840 and József Zwack & Co. established itself as a renowned manufacturer of beverages, exporter and purveyor to the court around the turn of the century.

In World War II, the factory was destroyed and after reconstruction in 1948, it was nationalised under the Communist regime. The Zwack family lost everything and had no choice but to leave Hungary and flee to the USA – along with the secret recipe for Unicum. In 1988, during the communist era, Peter Zwack (a representative of the fifth generation) was the first entrepreneur to return to Hungary and re-bought the distillery. A year later, Hungary was the first country in Eastern Europe to experience the fall of the Iron Curtain and the borders were open again.

In 2008, Peter Zwack handed the management of this family business on to the next generation following two decades of successful work building up the company. His son Sandor is the new chairman and his youngest daughter Izabella is a member of the company management. Today, Zwack along with his flagship product Unicum (a reclaimed cultural possession of the country) and other exceptional products have been classed as a “truly outstanding company” (Forbes Magazine).

This also confirms the company’s success at the World Spirits Award: Zwack was classified as a First Class Distillery 2012 and there were three golds for the Kalinka Vodka, Zwack Unicum and Unicum Szilva.

Samalens - Specialists with a long-standing tradition

The homeland of the Armagnac is the Gascony region, which was awarded the patent for the special "Alambic Armagnacais" distilling process by Louis XVII. in 1818. Unlike cognac, which is distilled twice, Armagnac is distilled only once in large copper stills.

The Armagnac manufacturer Samalens of Laujuzan was founded in 1882 by Jean Samalens. Today, Pierre Samalens is at the head of the family business. The best Armagnacs are produced here at the heart of the vineyards and oak forests. The wines come exclusively from excellent locations in the Bas-Armagnac region, which experts claim supplies the highest quality - connoisseurs certainly appreciate the finesse and delicate fruit aromas of the products. The distilled wines are then matured under optimal conditions over many years in new oak casks, made of course from hand-crafted Gascony wood.

The largest distillery in the area was renovated in 1973 and now produces various qualities ranging from the VSOP to the Vieille Relique. The youngest Armagnac of this powerful blend is 15 years old. Long-standing tradition and modern technology are certainly no contradiction at Samalens with traditional distilling facilities and electronic controls both in use. A great deal of care goes into the equipment used: the exclusive carafes are of particular note and have enjoyed considerable success even in Japan and Taiwan, both very difficult markets. The company's treasure chest contains one of the most significant collections of old Armagnacs dating back to 1888.

Both Armagnacs impressed at the World-Spirits Award with gold for the VSOP and the Gold Single de Samalens.