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Schraml distillery in Steinwald – Craftsmanship in historical surroundings

Even hearing the list of the broad range of products makes you want to smell and taste all these delicious things: whisky, fine fruit brandies and the ‘Schraml Reserve’, beer brandies (‘Zoiglbrand’ is a patented speciality made from beer produced in the communities of the Upper Palatinate), spirits and gin, liqueurs and Christmas items.

Gregor Schraml represents the sixth generation in the old family business in Erbendorf. This kind of traditional craftsmanship requires a historical setting: the romantic and mysterious location is the ‘Alte Propstei’ (Old Rectory) in Erbendorf, a 12th century monastery (first mentioned in a document in 1150), whose cross vaults and underground corridors turn every event into something special. An experimental show distillery is being built, where experiments with berries, nuts and raisins will be conducted.

The landscape of the Steinwald nature reserve is craggy and densely wooded. Typical Upper Palatinate fruits such as juniper and elder grow on the meagre soil and the lonely corners of the Scottish Highlands spring to mind. It therefore comes as no surprise that whisky has secured itself a special place in the product range. According to Whisky Guide Deutschland (publisher of ‘Der Whiskybotschafter‘), the 10-year Single Grain Whisky Stonewood 1818 is the oldest known German whisky, making the company the oldest whisky distillery in Germany. Further varieties are the Stonewood Woaz (Single Wheat Malt, 5 years) and Stonewood Dra (Single Malt, 3 years).

Fruit, timber, experience and time – these ingredients are typical of this combination of tradition and modernity. The Schramls want to raise awareness of the superior quality of these products which result from patient, traditional craftsmanship and aim to teach consumers the value of slow enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, the distillery was classified as a First Class Distillery 2014 and received gold for the beer brandy, and silver for sloe, Mirabelle plum and gin.

Destillerie Freihof: Perfectly crafted Austrian spirits

Originating from the Freihof inn in Lustenau, Destillerie Freihof developed into one of the leading distilleries in Austria under Gebhard Hämmerle. Currently his grandson, Johann J. Drexel, runs the family business in its fifth generation – already since 1885 they have been dedicated to producing fine fruit brandies.

The basis of their success story is the knowledge of where the best fruits grow, harvesting them at the perfect moment, and then concentrating on the processing, fermentation, distillation and storage for the best results. Work on the quality of the distillates is carried out with dedication and without any addition of flavourings and aromas to the fine brandies and schnapps.

Under the brand name Privatbrennerei Gebhard Hämmerle, selected top-quality batches of each harvest year have been processed separately for over 60 years. Further information can be found at: HYPERLINK „http://www.haemmerle.com“ www.haemmerle.com. The products of the Freihof 1885 brand bring together authentic, crafted Austrian spirits with innovative ideas and applications. Further information is available at: https://1885.freihof.com/. All spirits and liqueurs are made from purely natural raw materials and have stood out with their unadulterated taste for decades.

The First Class Distillery received gold for Hämmerle Subirer and Ivanov Pure Vodka, silver for Edelweiss Vodka, Hämmerle Enzian (gentian), Hämmerle Vogelbeere (rowanberry), Hämmerle Williams (pear) and Hämmerle Mirabelle.

Georg Hemmeter – XUXU, Escorial, SILLA EL FUERTE

Georg Hemmeter – strawberry drinks with exceptional flavour guaranteed

The name Georg Hemmeter – a company of the Underberg Group – stands for innovative spirits, in particular the XUXU range. The fresh and fruity strawberry drink contains 66 percent fruit plus crystal-clear vodka, rounded off with a dash of lime. The harmony between the sweetness of the fruit and just 15% alcohol by volume is created using a special production method. XUXU Ten, the little luxury in a 250 ml aluminium bottle with only 10% alcohol by volume, is dressed to party – it is still relatively new to the market, yet is already at home in all the world’s top party venues.
XUXU can be served in so many different ways: chilled, neat, on crushed ice, as a dessert topping, with sparkling wine or with other mixers – XUXU tastes heavenly and offers fresh and fruity pleasure. Welcome to Berrydise!

Initially the absolute top star in Greece, XUXU is now also number 1 in Russia, and extremely popular in Turkey and Italy too.


XUXU Strawberry & Vodka Drink and XUXU Ten won Gold at the World Spirits Award 2014.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.