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Eagles Mountain Distillery: Ostalpen in the Mürzer Oberland nature reserve

For quite some years, Werner and Angela Ultsch have been dedicating themselves to the development of innovative alpine drinks, whereby they attach great importance to protecting nature and supporting the region. Werner Ultsch, a pioneer of Austrian natural cuisine, has many decades of experience not only as a chef in fine gastronomy, but also as a hotelier and project developer in the areas of health and tourism. His culinary understanding has always been closely associated with local agriculture.

In 2022 with the takeover of a traditional distillery in Upper Styria, a further alpine site was added for the brands Alperitif® and Alperitivo®. The basis for their production are medicinal herb cultures in the Tyrolean Wipptal valley, where at 1,350 metres above sea level many thousands of masterwort and angelica plants provide the valuable main raw ingredients for both the alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks. In cooperation with organic farmers, a sustainable and regional raw material supply is ensured.

Experiences from the southern Alpine arc (Alpes-Maritimes) provided the inspiration for supplementing the Alperitif® gin liqueur with the Alperitif® Maritim. In 2023, the product range was widened with the novelty Eagles Bready, whereby the alcohol was distilled from ‘yesterday’s bread’ and refined to a wholesome liqueur for hot drinks with alpine herbs, roots and berry juices stored for many months. In addition, there is the Alperitif® ALPINE GIN cum Imperatoria – a strong masterwort gin with a volume percent of 48.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Alperitif® Maritim and Alperitif® ALPINE GIN cum Imperatoria, and silver to Eagles Bready.

Australian Distilling: Inspired by famous cities

The founder, Michael Hickinbotham, is one of the second generation of the family of distillers who helped shape Australia’s wine and spirits industry. Together with Dr. Graham Jones as Master Distiller he has created unique recipes for gin, inspired by the time he spent living and working in Australia.

The spirits have strong botanic signatures with regional and seasonal ingredients. All the way to the bottle, everything is especially designed with a particular city in mind, and each gin is distilled there in order to capture the city’s ‘spirit’.

The label on Adelaide Gin reflects the copper on which the foundations of the city stand. In the aroma, flowery notes of rose and lavender join forces with spices such as cardamom, juniper, coriander and nutmeg. Sydney Gin stands for the flora of this sunny region and its lively city vibe. The aroma carriers are lemon myrtle, lime peel and orange. The city’s stylish Art Deco architecture is captured in the bottle design, with images of Sydney Harbour Bridge and a hint of the elegance of the 1920s. Perth Gin was launched four days before the first Australian Gin Day (23rd November 2019). Distilled in beautiful Margaret River, warming boronia is paired with lemon myrtle. The golden label is a nod to the gold rush and sunshine, blue skies and the ocean. Brisbane Gin was introduced at the same time, with the freshness of kaffir limes and finger limes as well as ginger. Pink, chestnut brown and gold represent the youth of the ‘River City’, the celebration of nature, sunshine and good company.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Adelaide Gin, Melbourne Gin, Sydney Gin and Perth Gin, and silver for Brisbane Gin.

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.