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Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.

Destilería Serrallés

Puerto Rico is world-famous for excellent rum, and one of the oldest family-run businesses with a perfect grasp of traditional craftsmanship is the Destilería Serrallés, founded in 1865. The beginning of their success story, however, lies even further back, as the family, originally from Catalonia, had already settled near the town of Ponce on the southern coast of the island in the 1830s. Their ‘Hacienda Mercedita’ became a proper town with workers’ settlements and its own railway – and a major exporter of cane sugar. The first barrels of rum were produced by Juan Serrallés with a copper pot still which he had imported from France.

These days the production process is a multiple distillation system with activated carbon filtration as a basis for clear, pure rum. Storage and maturation of the rum takes place in American oak barrels. The careful compilation of the blend is based on recipes passed down through the Serrallés family and perfected over six generations. The result is a portfolio of authentic rums from the region, with the flagship Don Q, the best-selling rum on the island. Incidentally, Don Q stands for Don Quijote, whose picture is on the bottles.

The World Class Distillery 2019 received gold for Don Q Añejo, Don Q Gran Añejo, Don Q Gold, Don Q Cristal Rum, Don Q Coco Rum, Don Q Pina, Don Q Double Aged Vermouth Cask Finish Rum, and silver for Don Q Oak Barrel aged Spiced Rum.

Nyborg Distillery – Danish pioneer in organic production

In the port of Nyborg – at a good location on the E20 – a new meeting point for ‘spiritual’ and culinary experiences emerged. Since the opening in summer 2017, Niels and Nicolai Rømer, creative entrepreneurs and well-known organic pioneers, have been following the objective of creating an attractive place to stop on the way through Denmark – for locals as well as tourists.

In the distillery, the specialities are whisky, rum, gin, snaps (Aquavit) and brandy based on regional organic products – fruit from Fünen, the country’s third largest island. Experienced employees work with a passion to bring top quality into the bottle – and also produce bespoke spirits. At the Nyborg Distillery, customers can buy a whole barrel, which will be looked after according to their wishes, from the choice of fruit to the filling, including advice on storage, aromas and more.

Part of the building is used for gastronomy: with a bar, café and restaurant. The ambitious range includes organic cocktails made from in-house spirits, coffee and cake, daytime snacks and Smørrebrød, in the evening, regional Danish and Nordic dishes. A shop offers products from the distillery and also a selection from the Ørbæk brewery and from Mols Organic.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Organic Gin Distilled DEW 87°, Organic Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength, Ardor Isle of Fionia (World Spirits Award 2018 & Spirit of the Year 2018), gold for Organic Gin MIST 114°, Organic Gin Distilled Frost 92°, Organic Single Malt Whisky Ardor Isle of Fionia, and silver for Organic Rum Hurancán.