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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.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.

Samalens - Specialists with a long-standing tradition

The homeland of the Armagnac is the Gascony region, which was awarded the patent for the special "Alambic Armagnacais" distilling process by Louis XVII. in 1818. Unlike cognac, which is distilled twice, Armagnac is distilled only once in large copper stills.

The Armagnac manufacturer Samalens of Laujuzan was founded in 1882 by Jean Samalens. Today, Pierre Samalens is at the head of the family business. The best Armagnacs are produced here at the heart of the vineyards and oak forests. The wines come exclusively from excellent locations in the Bas-Armagnac region, which experts claim supplies the highest quality - connoisseurs certainly appreciate the finesse and delicate fruit aromas of the products. The distilled wines are then matured under optimal conditions over many years in new oak casks, made of course from hand-crafted Gascony wood.

The largest distillery in the area was renovated in 1973 and now produces various qualities ranging from the VSOP to the Vieille Relique. The youngest Armagnac of this powerful blend is 15 years old. Long-standing tradition and modern technology are certainly no contradiction at Samalens with traditional distilling facilities and electronic controls both in use. A great deal of care goes into the equipment used: the exclusive carafes are of particular note and have enjoyed considerable success even in Japan and Taiwan, both very difficult markets. The company's treasure chest contains one of the most significant collections of old Armagnacs dating back to 1888.

Both Armagnacs impressed at the World-Spirits Award with gold for the VSOP and the Gold Single de Samalens.