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Dry Fly Distilling – Spirit specialities from Spokane

Once upon a time … is how fairy tales begin, but also the success story of a distillery. While fly-fishing at the Gallatin River in Montana in 2005, Kent Fleischmann and Don Poffenroth bought a bottle of vodka which was said to be one of the best in the world at that time. Disappointed by the quality, they decided they could do it better and founded their own business in Spokane in 2007 – incidentally, the first distillery in Eastern Washington since the days of Prohibition. Their aim was to produce high quality vodka, gin and whiskey by hand, which conveyed the naturalness and purity of the region.

The company name refers to the newcomers’ passion for fly-fishing, both of whom come from large companies and bring their experience, especially in marketing, with them to the already flourishing business. With a focus on sustainability, they process regional white winter wheat and barley malt from Washington, as well as botanicals and water from Spokane. In the tradition of small, craftsmanship-orientated corn distilleries, they aim to become one of the largest producers of small series of vodka, gin and whiskey, and recently also bourbon.

Their efforts to produce top quality were soon rewarded, first at a successful show at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition in 2009: here, the vodka won double gold in a panel of over 200 competitors and the title ‘Best in Show’. In 2013, the entire range won awards at the Diego International Spirits Competition.

At the World Spirits Award, Dry Fly Distilling also landed a fine catch: there was gold for gin and bronze for Dry Fly Barrel Reserve Gin.

Tamborine Mountain Distillery – Original from the original

Visitors to the distillery owned by Michael and Alla Ward can explore this colourful and perhaps somewhat crazy world. The couple moved from Tasmania to Queensland in 1992 where they purchased 1.3 hectares of land in the backcountry of the Gold Coast, fascinated by the diversity of fruit growing here. Since they didn’t use any chemical sprays, the harvested fruits did not correspond to market requirements. So what to do with the large volume of fruit produced? Soon the solution was found: ferment and distil it!

Australia’s smallest pot still distillery has since achieved fame across the world: in Europe as well as the USA and Asia. The manufacture offers a very diverse programme of dozens of products: imaginative liqueur creations, fruit brandies, absinthe, aquavit, bitter, gin, grappa, pastis, rum, vodka and much more. Word of mouth and a media presence have ensured that the small yet refined company has become widely renowned, winning hundreds of international rewards.

Three ingredients determine the success of these sparkling personalities of the spirits world (in addition to passion and zest for life, of course): red volcanic soil, opulent fruits and fresh spring water. The distillation is carried out through the traditional method in small copper stills – with a small degree of technical improvisation. The equipment used is unique: the bottles are imported from Italy and France and hand-painted by Alla Ward. Her Russian background is reflected in this colourful artwork which combines to form a striking puzzle on the well-stacked shelves.

Some new products were presented at the World Spirits Award from the company’s colourful range and with great success: there was gold for the aquavit, silver for the Slivovitz (damson) and Bucku Whisky Liqueur, and bronze for the grappa.

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.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.