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INDUSTRIAL EL ROSARIO: Traditional pisco from Chile

Bou Barroeta is located in Viña El Rosario in the heart of the Huasco Valley, known as the Garden of Atacama. Lush, colourful flora unfold in the middle of a desert landscape, where excellent pisco has been produced for generations. Pisco is based on handpicked muscatel grapes and distilled in traditional alembics. The wood for the barrels in which the pisco matures comes from the mountains near Lago Calafquén in the heart of the Mapuche region. For these indigenous people, the Coyan oak symbolises new life and the immortality of the soul. In this sense, the barrel storage is also a promise for the longevity of the distillate.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a large wave of immigration from the Spanish Balearic Islands to the areas of Coquimbo and Atacama in northern Chile. 19-year-old Francisco Bou Suñer, a master distiller, belonged to one of these first settler families of Majorcan origin. In 1903, his younger brother Antonio and his sisters joined him to settle in Vallenar, the capital of the province of Huasco. Antonio was one of the first pisco producers in Atacama to present his pisco at the Ibero-American Exhibition in Seville in 1930. In 1940, he married Celestina Barroeta Arrieta, and they had four children. After Antonio’s death in 1961, his son Francisco continued production and the pisco was registered as Bou Barroeta pisco in the 1980s. Today, his descendants are in charge of the El Rosario company.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Silver for Bou Barroeta Marías, Cofradía de Bou Barroeta, Luxstelle de Bou Barroeta and Noor de Bou Barroeta.

Vijay Distillery Private Limited: Top spirits from Nepal

The Jawalakhel Group of Industries (JGI) manages several companies that produce and distribute alcoholic drinks. Distilleries, breweries as well as research and sales units bring a growing number of brands of different categories to the Nepalese market and for export abroad.

The Vijay Distillery also belongs to the group and is named after the JGI president, Vijay Kumar Shah, who, after studying and working in the USA, returned to Nepal in 1969 and built up the traditional family business from a small distillery to a large company. The foundation was his vision of producing first class spirits with the support of experts and use of modern technology. Since then, JGI has received numerous international accreditations and certifications from various organisations for its high-quality processes, facilities and systems.

The Vijay Distillery in Ramgram in the Parasi district produces a wide range of spirits, including Nepal’s first and only Blended Malt Scotch whisky, brandy and rum. The main brand and flagship is Ruslan Vodka. In line with the philosophy of fine craftsmanship, hand-selected raw materials and the purest Himalayan water are used.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Ruslan Ultra Premium Vodka (Spirit of the Year 2020).