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Berentzen Group: 250 years of cultured distilled spirits

The Berentzen Group is a diverse beverage company for spirits, alcohol-free beverages and juicing systems. With over 250 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.

The new ‘Burgmannshof Korn’ has been available since November 2020, with which the Berentzen Group serves the ongoing trend of the premiumisation of the traditional Korn (grain distillate) segment. The name itself explains its origins: distilled at the Berentzen Hof Destillerie in Haselünne in Lower Saxony, the premium Korn is stored for six months at the historical 14th century Burgmannshof in French oak barrels. The first limited edition of 840 bottles underlines the character of the ‘Burgmannshof Korn’, which is distilled from 100% wheat.

In Premium Rum Tres Países, distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic are combined. Before these came to Europe, they were distilled in pot stills as well as column stills, and matured in a tropical climate up to eight years in bourbon barrels made of American white oak. The blend combines the characteristics of the three countries: sweet, caramel notes with a soft finish from Panama, dried fruits and chocolate from Guatemala, and full-bodied raisin aromas from the Dominican Republic. These facets give Tres Países its depth and strength.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Tres Países, and silver for Berentzen Burgmannshof Korn.

Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.

Stuttgart Distillers – A declaration of love to their home town

GINSTR – Stuttgart Dry Gin is a declaration of love to Stuttgart: with only 711 (the local dialling code!) bottles per filling, the Stuttgart airport code in the brand name, and the name of the barrels – the first one had the simple name of Killesberg. The ingredients also come from the region: citrus fruits from local greenhouses meet juniper berries from their vineyards in the Remstal valley. The carefully filtered Lake Constance water is mixed with original Cannstatt mineral water. All botanicals that cannot be grown in Stuttgart and its surroundings come from regional traders, mostly from the Stuttgart Market Hall: fresh citrus aromas, the finest juniper, a touch of rosemary, cardamom and coriander for the necessary spiciness, liquorice, kaffir lime leaves, orange blossom, hibiscus blossom and pomegranate seeds provide the perfect complementary note. A total of 46 handpicked botanicals find their way into the GINSTR, manufactured and bottled by the ‘makers’ themselves – so they have total control throughout the process.

Markus Escher – a winegrower’s son, master distiller and herb guru – adds his high demands for quality and handwork. GINSTR is full of his expertise, his passion and his heart and soul. Alexander Franke – born on the Killesberg, a presenter and spirits collector – is known by most people in Stuttgart as ‘Sandy’. At 15 he was Germany’s youngest radio presenter and, since then, radio and TV would be unthinkable without him. It was by coincidence that he met Markus at an interview, and then a dream came true: together they created the perfect gin!

At the World Spirits Award, GINSTR proved itself and won gold.