World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

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.

Edeldestillerie Robert Oberhofer: Quality and continuity

Gleaming steel tanks, a distinctive bottle design and a wide product selection – these all form part of this sophisticated distillery which is the empire of master distiller Robert Oberhofer, senior manager at the Reschenhof country hotel in Mils. Thanks to its reliable quality, the company, which already started out in 1965, has been one of the elite distillers in Tyrol for years.

All of the fruit varieties are predominantly obtained from local and organic cultivation areas. Apricots, Williams pears, various apple and damson varieties come from their own orchards, and the greatest attention is paid to quality, degree of ripeness and a rich aroma. The wide product range already encompasses more than 40 products.

The key products are fruit and berry brandies with speciality products including Limonera, sour cherry, sloe, blackberry and blueberry. Local favourites include rowanberry and elderberry. But also exotic fruit brandies such as rum, brandies and liqueurs matured in wooden casks are aged with the finest craftsmanship. Tours of the distillery can be enjoyed with a warm or cold snack or a rustic platter of cold cuts. The premises offer room for 50 people, and for celebrations of all kinds.

Since 2015, Robert’s grandson Benjamin, the third generation of distillers, has been managing the distillery. In order to satisfy the ever-increasing quality requirements, he decided to undergo the training to become a distiller at the Fritz Henßler vocational college in the city of Dortmund.

The Master Class Distillery received gold for Limonera Pear Brandy and Spänling (wild plum), silver for Williams Alte Reserve and Damson, and bronze for Rum (matured in wooden barrels), Babayani Raki and Raspberry Brandy.

Elephant Gin: Drink something good. Do something good.

Inspired by the flora and fauna of Africa, handmade Elephant Gin is developed from selected African herbs, roots and fruits, including buchu and baobab, together with fresh apples from northern Germany. Since the first bottle was sold, 15% of the profit per bottle has been donated to projects for protecting African elephants – one million euros in 2022.

The story of how the gin was created is not only based on a passion for gin. On their travels, Tessa and Robin Gerlach were captivated by African nature and recognised the need to protect it. Poaching, trophy hunting, ivory trading and the loss of habitat greatly endanger that. Back in Europe, they decided to make a gin in order to call attention to the plight of the elephants. The gin stands for German quality, African spirit, and sustainability.

Six core products meet different tastes. The subtle hint of juniper and the nuances of mountain pine give Elephant London Dry Gin a complex, gently floral aroma. Elephant Sloe Gin is a fruity, modestly sweet liqueur. Those who like something more intensive should opt for Elephant Strength Gin. Its fresh aroma and higher amount of botanicals are ideal for cocktails. Elephant African Explorer Gin combines buchu leaves, white ginger and Monodora nuts with citrus, mint-cassis and herbs. An energy boost is provided by the Coffee Liqueur made of Elephant Aged Gin, coffee distillates and cold brewed Arabica coffee. The ready-to-drink Elephant Gin Negroni combines vermouth and bitters for slight acerbity.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for Elephant Strength Gin, and Silver for Elephant London Dry Gin and Elephant African Explorer Gin.