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Raunikar - Popular for generations

In the past, digging out roots in the forests and on Alpine pastures was a business of wood cutters, former miners and charcoal burners. The gentian root was particularly sought after, as it was considered a universal panacea - and served, of course, as the raw material for brandy. The "Wurzelgraber" by Raunikar is resinous-spicy liqueur made from mountain herbs, fully in line with the company's tradition.

If you are talking spirits and schnapps in Carinthia and Eastern Tyrol, Raunikar immediately comes to mind. What began three generations ago in Feldkirchen, carries on in this tradition into the present and it is now combined with modern know-how. This is reflected in the popularity of the products from fruit, herbs and roots among customers in retail and the hospitality trade.

They work using traditional methods in order to produce outstanding spirits. Raw ingredients of a high quality, a controlled fermenting process, maturation in steel tanks and continuous quality control are some of the factors that single out a good distillery. After all, distillers need to meet the demands of quality-conscious customers who appreciate a good traditional Austrian schnapps.

In addition, the "Raunikar method" has a unique feature: the raw spirits, the result of the first distillation, are already subjected to storage and consequently undergo maturation and characterisation at this early stage. Only after this phase of rest does the fine distilling take place, which particularly brings out the essence of the fruit. This elaborate procedure was deliberately chosen, for this is the only way to obtain products which guarantee a symbiosis between the naturalness and sophistication.

At this year's World Spirits Award, "Wurzelgraber" won silver and the gin gold.

Arno Krautner: Newcomer from gastronomy

“My love of nature, healthy food and new challenges showed me the way from modern to medieval cuisine. One idea captivated me: truffle dishes and the perfect drink to go with it. Truffles have always fascinated me. I was therefore searching for a product that would satisfy both the refined palate of gourmets and the high standards of top cuisine.”

In the middle of the COVID crisis, Arno Krautner had enough time and plenty of motivation to turn his idea into reality: a gin was developed along with professionals. The distillate in organic quality is especially characterised by the freshness of oranges – of course alongside botanicals such as juniper, coriander and others. Recommendation: best enjoyed on the rocks, or with a neutral tonic water. As their second product, Trüffelo Orange Truffle was created, also in organic quality, which incorporates the earthy and perfumed taste of truffles alongside the fresh and fruity taste of orange. Recommendation: best enjoyed on the rocks, or with Bitter Rose tonic water.

In future, the Trüffelo line of True-fellow Handel GmbH is also set to include brandy, whisky, rum and others. Distillation takes place in Styria.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Gin Orange, and bronze for Trüffelo Orange Truffle.

Bimmerle: Know-how meets regionality and trend awareness

At the production site in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, this family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with focussed know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all the heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.

In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand. In order to make the ‘playground’ more interesting, the brand identity was modernised in 2024 and will be extended in 2025 by a fruit brandy range matured in wooden casks. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with WOOD STORK Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022. The Black Forest distillery has enriched the liqueur and aperitif market with as many as five exciting creations under the DON PASQUALE brand.

The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Gold for Don Pasquale Limoncello Liqueur, Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Wood Stork Spiced Rum, Lörch Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör (vanilla cream liqueur), Needle Gin Green, Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Liqueur, Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Liqueur, Don Pasquale Hazelnut Liqueur and Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör (Linzer tart cream liqueur). Silver was awarded to Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin, Needle Gin Rosé, Don Pasquale Pistachio Cream Liqueur, Lörch Bratapfel Sahnelikör (baked apple cream liqueur), Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (pear spirit aged in a wooden cask) and Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (apricot spirit aged in a wooden cask), and Bronze to Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (fruit spirit aged in a wooden cask).