World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Tradition Mexico – Tequila without compromises

The friends behind Padre azul, the new tequila in the premium segment, stand united on one matter: their passion for Mexico. “We appreciate high quality tequila, and with Padre azul we are bringing an exclusive product to Europe. We searched for the perfect distillery for a long time. At Tres Mujeres in Jalisco in the highlands of Mexico we found what we were looking for.” 100% Mexico – 100% handcraft – 100% agave.

These requirements and quality criteria apply to the whole production process, which is why each bottle also wears the sought-after quality seal from the Mexican authorities, “Consejo Regulador del Tequila” (CRT). There were no compromises when it came to the design of the bottles: they are made by hand and adorned with a 270g skull which represents the skull culture of Mexico.

Padre azul is available in three grades of maturity, depending on the length of storage. The Añejo usually spends eighteen months in French oak barrels to achieve a mature, full-bodied taste. The Reposado needs at least eight months in barrels for its subtle vanilla tone. The Blanco is a clear tequila which is bottled straight after distillation – it is soft and mild in taste. None of the three need salt or lemon – you can enjoy them neat. True to the motto: no compromises.

At the World Spirits Award, the trio was very successful: there was double gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul anejo, gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul reposado, and silver for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul blanco.

Limomacher: Regionally produced – socially labelled

Limomacher is a young Bregenz enterprise, according to their own definition “excellent in graphics, design, customer service, lemonade production, social involvement and coffee drinking”. However, a look at the brief biographies of the four-person team reveals quite a bit about their wide-ranging qualifications. All lemonades are produced regionally in Vorarlberg according to their own recipes. Short pathways right up until labelling – also labels for private customers and companies on request – reinforce sustainability, along with filling exclusively in glass bottles. The labelling, as well as the whole warehousing, are handled by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, a support organisation for people with disabilities. This is an indication that social thinking has been of great importance from the beginning.

At the beginning of 2018, the ‘Franz von Durst’ brand started in Spar shops, followed by the start-up shelf at Metro. The company developed a gin along with a tonic water for this purpose, as the first manufacturer in retailing that offers both as a one-stop shop. The gin that is also regionally produced goes perfectly with the tonic water and its animating and aromatic concept offers an exceptionally fruity drinking experience. Aside from the juniper base, five further botanicals play a role: angelica root provides a slight tanginess and supports the homogenous taste; orange peel is characterised by a range of aromatic substances and a fine hint of citrus; liquorice provides a complex sweetness with a slightly earthy note; elderberry has an intensive and refreshing taste; and hops gives it a special something.

“We are delighted that the Vorarlberg locals have received our gin so well and that we can expand step by step also into other provinces,” say the two young entrepreneurs.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was achieved by Franz von Durst Gin, and silver by Franz von Durst Dry Gin Wild.

St. Lucia Distillers – The Gold Standard for Rum

“St. Lucia Distillers is small, innovative and focussed on quality”, explains company director Michael Speakman. “Producing premium rum is the core focus of our corporate philosophy, and closely related with it are all other market activities. The members of our team are not afraid of taking risks and we innovate. We like to experiment with the production process and are delighted if this results in the creation of world class products.”

The company was founded in 1972 based on two long-established firms: the Barnard Family Estate in Dennery and Geest in the Roseau Valley, which is now the current site. Back then, the company was a mass producer of basic rum. Over the years, it has developed to become a specialist in premium rum with a comprehensive selection on offer today. Visitors to the St. Lucia Distillers are taken on a journey into the world of rum – ideally as part of a tour. The cultural heritage of this Caribbean island and its traditional rum production are brought to life. From the vats of molasses, which are full of the liquid, aromatic raw material, to the shiny copper tanks and oak casks (Bourbon to Port) to the storage and maturation of the rum.

The World Class Distillery 2018 (Distillery of the Year 2018 – Gold) won double gold for 1931 Sixth Edition (World Spirits Award 2018 & Spirit of the Year 2018), gold for Chairman’s Reserve The Forgotten Cask, Admiral Rodney, Chairman’s Reserve Spiced and Chairman’s Reserve Original Gold.

NEST Gin: A little sip of South Tyrol

Two young South Tyroleans – Peter Paul Schweitzer, a drinks retailer from Latsch, and the fine brandy sommelier Matthias Gamper, a hotelier in the Schnals Valley and a gin expert – wanted to revive old recipes to meet contemporary tastes. “We wanted to create a product that is modern and that suits us.” Their knowledge, their experience and their passion for gin provided the best conditions for their first spirits project. They needed barely a year for product development, naming and packaging. They achieved a gin that is both modern and alpine. Nest Gin – the name implies a comfortable home, like a nest.

It was thought out and distilled at the heart of the Alps, developed from paper to the bottle in cooperation with the distilling master Helmut Oberhofer from the Roner Distillery. The essential basis: crystal clear alpine water from South Tyrol and the finest grain. The main protagonist in the complex play of aromas: the finest alpine herbs with a hint of orange. The botanicals involved apart from juniper are coriander, angelica root, masterwort, gentian, yarrow, musk blossom, thyme and marigold. And apart from that nothing: no oils, no essences, no tricks. And what does the gin itself say about it? “They tried to say no, but I was 42% stronger. I was created, a little sip of happiness, made for gintlemen and gintlewomen in the finest nightclub, for ginsters in the trendiest town and for true country folk in the wildest nature.”

At the World Spirits Award, Nest Gin Alpine London Dry received gold.