World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa

Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.

The Shropshire Gin Company – Passion and a fighting spirit for gin

The company Van den Berg is newly founded, at the end of 2019, with an online shop also opening at the same time. “Our shop is simple, but very aesthetic and reflects what our spices are: elegant, colourful, tasteful and incredibly versatile. It invites you to go where discoveries and journeys never end. For us there are no boundaries here, because spices have never known any either,” is how marketing manager Fabian Held explains it. The passion for fine aromas and exceptional tastes is evident in around 250 spices and herbs from A to Z – available pure and as the finest blends according to their own recipes. All of this can be found at the manufacturing site in Graz, with direct sales, a sampling room, a lounge and a production hall.

And then there are herbs and spices whose aroma only really unfolds in a dissolved form such as in gin or vermouth, because alcohol helps even the finest aromas to develop. The London Dry Gin presents itself with a distinct juniper fragrance, fine herbal nuances with rosemary and others, as well as elegant hints of fruit and a pinch of citrus and peach. The Distiller’s Cut Gin has a surprising aroma that evokes lemon, lime and bergamot, a citrus fruit that grows wild in the south of Italy. The basis for the Wermut rosso is a Zweigelt from the highest altitude vineyard in Styria. The gin used complements the wine with a fine tanginess.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Van den Berg London Dry Gin, Van den Berg Distiller’s Cut and Van den Berg Wermut rosso.

Seyringer Schlossbrände – Long-standing Austrian schnapps culture

According to the motto of Seyringer Schlossbrände, things which have always been good still taste excellent today. The “good old days” are being brought back to life through the product accessories. The company’s brand image was carefully revised in 2006, taking account of its historical aspect. The new features include a special bottle with a handle, exclusively crafted for the company on the basis of a design that is more than 150 years old. With bottle sizes of 0.5, 0.2 and “handy” 0.04 litres, many needs are met.

Seyringer Schlossbrände products combine tradition and taste. Prepared on the basis of traditional rules of the art of distilling, the specialities embody both the past and the future. With their reference to the imperial history – “kaiserlich-königliche Schnaps-Kultur” – and the respective design, Seyringer Schlossbrände’s market presence is bound to be a success. The brand’s symbolism convinces in a variety of different uses – such as the design of small souvenirs or special promotions in the retail trade.

Seyring Castle, in imperial times a country estate, lends its name to the eponymous castle spirits, representing a part of the Austrian spirits culture. The broad range of products comprises traditional Austrian fruit spirits, fruit schnapps and fruit liqueurs, such as Williams pear, apricot, plum, cherry, raspberry, “Obstler” (mixed fruit schnapps) and gentian spirits. Liqueurs on a fruit juice and fruit distillate basis made according to ancient recipes represent an innovation.

The classics – Jagatee (tea with schnapps), apricot liqueur and gentian were all awarded gold at the World-Spirits Award, and the cherry liqueur received a silver. There were also three golds in the fruit spirits category.