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Franz Tinnauer: Styrian superstar

The fruit distillery is a traditional, certified family business run by Franz Tinnauer along with his daughter, Monika. Margarete is the heart and soul of the residential buildings which nestle on the beautiful Mount Gamlitzberg. Following the motto “TASTEFUL. STYRIAN. STRONG”, distillation takes place entirely from the fruit itself and exclusively in a double distillation procedure to make the richest, fruit-concentrated distillates. In addition, only regional fruit varieties are processed, which mostly come from their own land – quality is, of course, the most important factor. As it is the understanding in the business that alcohol is a carrier for all aromas, all fine distillates contain over 40% alcohol by volume.

The high-proof distillate of approx. 80% alcohol by volume is stored for at least one year, and then there are five graduation levels: Classic – aromatic and very fruity as a clear distillate, at least one year old, at least 42% alcohol by volume; Reserve – at least two years old, at least 50% alcohol by volume; Reserve Zigarrenbrand cigar brandy – at least three years in French oak barrels, at least 50% alcohol by volume; Grand Reserve – special vintages, clear brandies, at least three years matured, cigar brandies stored in barrels at least five years, usually above 60% alcohol by volume. In the product range, which also includes liqueurs and spirits, there is something for every taste, be it mild, sweet or very strong.

The World Class Distillery 2022 OBB (Distillery of the Year – Silver) received double gold for Sauvignon Tresterbrand Reserve (marc brandy) and Zwetschken Zigarrenbrand Reserve (damson cigar brandy) (World Spirits Award 2022 & Spirit of the Year 2022), gold for Zwetschkenbrand (damson brandy), Roter Williamsbirnenbrand (pear brandy), Birnenquittenbrand Reserve (pear quince brandy) and Edelbitter ZITA, and silver for Wacholder Geist (juniper spirit).

South Seas Distilleries: India’s pioneer of premium spirits

South Seas Distilleries is one of the most traditional distilleries in India and embodies over four generations of craftsmanship, combining local raw materials and a spirit of innovation with global quality standards. Founded in 1984 in Dahanu, Maharashtra, South Seas was one of the early pioneers of producing classic single malt whiskies in India. Early on, the distillery relied on high-quality pot still technology from Scotland and later built the largest copper pot stills in the country as well as an extensive maturation warehouse for spirits with depth and character.

The philosophy of the distillery is based on a simple but powerful credo: quality before quantity, substance before spectacle. This claim is reflected in products such as the Crazy Cock single malt whisky, a multi-matured India single malt that displays a rich aroma profile with warmth, complexity and finesse thanks to careful cask selection (ex-bourbon, ex-sherry).

However, South Seas goes beyond the classic whisky tradition. With Six Brothers Mahura, a centuries-old Indian spirit category has been revived. Presented as a luxurious heritage spirit with global ambition, they are an expression of India’s cultural depth and regional heritage – unique in this form worldwide. At a time when the premium spirits market is increasingly looking for authenticity and origin, South Seas is sending out a clear signal, namely that tradition and innovation can be combined to create spirits that delight experts and curious connoisseurs alike.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Six Brothers Mahura, and Silver for Crazy Cock The Single Malt Whisky – Madhuca 1 and Crazy Cock The Single Malt Whisky – DHUA.

Stock Polska – Prestige products with history

Polmos Lublin (known today as Stock Polska) was founded by the industrialist Emil Plage in Lublin in 1906 and was able to survive both world wars and the communist state leadership. The company was nationalised in 1948 and re-privatised in 2001. It traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange until 2005 and was sold in 2006. The new owners, Oaktree Capital Management, purchased the spirits division from Eckes Stock in 2007 and thereby laid the foundations for the current Stock Spirits Group. The company has its headquarters in Luxembourg, its service centre in Great Britain and its production sites in the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland.

Stock dates back to the year 1884 when Lionello Stock founded a beverages business in Trieste. He purchased a distillery in 1920 in what is currently part of the Czech Republic with the aim of tapping into new markets. This was followed by distilleries, bottling plants and warehouses in Italy, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia. In the 1920s, Stock was one of the biggest companies of its kind in Europe.

After an absence of 70 years, Stock returned to Poland and began to manufacture at the historic site of Lublin, 150 kilometres south-east of Warsaw. Intensive investment led to the creation of the most modern distillery in Poland and a leadership position on the vodka market. Poland’s most popular flavoured vodka is produced here: Zoladkowa Gorzka.

Lots of Stock products are produced by traditional recipes. These classical brands appeal to connoisseurs all over the world. In return, work is constantly being done on innovations that correspond to modern tastes and new drinking cultures. Quality standards are constantly upheld in both areas, of course.

The quality of the products was recognised at the World Spirits Award with a gold medal for the Orkisz Spelt Vodka.

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.