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Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.

Berentzen Group: 260 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.

Young Henrys – New World vibe

Freshly drawn beer at the bar, good music and high spirits. Young Henrys brewery and distillery, founded in Newtown, Australia, in 2012, has a particular flair – seven days a week. It is like a festival that attracts musicians, artists, environmentalists, activists and free thinkers. It is the home of individualists, each with something interesting to say or do, and in the centre, like a huge, invisible magnet: beer. This is what happens when you have the right idea in the right place at the right time. The same goes for the Noble Cut Gin. It also ‘rocks’.

Just like beer, the base is 100% grain, without additives or enhancers. Triple distilled and then refined with classic botanicals: juniper, coriander, orange peel, cinnamon bark, liquorice root and angelica root. But wait a minute! Because brewers are involved here, there is an additional, special ingredient in the gin: hops, grown on site, which create a certain yeasty hint, almost like a fine white wine. However, this is not the only local ingredient: the unique pepperberry (mountain pepper), local bush tomatoes and Australian Sencha tea are also added. The result: very aromatic, complex New World stylistics.

At the World Spirits Award, the Noble Cut, which is full of character, was also enjoyed by the jury and received gold.

Soul Surfer: Deep Dry Gin

Soul Surfer Gin is a premium dry gin that is distilled and bottled in Germany. The powerful alcohol content of 52 per cent by volume guarantees a high degree of purity and leads to a ‘harmonisation and soothing of the alcoholic sharpness’. This leads to a mild taste sensation: classic, yet modern and refined. The aromas of selected botanicals such as lime, rosemary and mint are a fresh counterpart to the aromatic juniper note.

Soul Surfer Gin was already available on the German market in a similar form for a few months in 2017 and was marketed by an acquaintance. Their preference for gin moved Christopher and Franz-Josef Severin to take over the business themselves. From mid-2018 on, Soul Surfer Gin was overhauled with the help of the Brauweiler fine fruit distillery and (re)entry onto the market was made in mid-2019 – with success, as can be seen and tasted.

At the World Spirits Award, Soul Surfer Gin was awarded gold.