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finch® Whiskydestillerie: Masterpieces from the high plateau of the Swabian Alps

Amidst unspoilt nature on the high plateau of the Swabian Alps, 700 metres above sea level, you can find one of the largest pot still distilleries in Germany, which produces 250,000 litres of whisky and 100,000 litres of other alcohol every year. The best ingredients come from their 350-hectare farm, where special grain varieties such as black emmer (also called the original grain), spelt, rye, barley, wheat and corn are grown. The unique natural landscape of the uplands with its special ecology and climate elicits exceptional qualities.

Hans-Gerhard Fink produced his first New Make in 1999. He is in charge of the entire production process which takes place on site. True to the maxim ‘From the field to the bottle’, finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and professional barrel management. Around 6,000 barrels in the whisky warehouse offer sensational combination and choice options, as well as the respective delivery readiness. In the meantime, 10 of the 14 whiskies are already eight, ten and even twelve years old, incomparable in Germany.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky DISTILLERSCHOICE Single Malt Sherry Cask and finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky DISTILLERSCHOICE Barrique R, and silver to finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky PRIVATEEDITION Single Malt 12 Years, finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky DISTILLERSCHOICE Single Malt Smoky and finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky PRIVATEEDITION WM Whisky 2022.

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.

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.