World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Kweichow Moutai: China’s ‘national schnapps’ on the rise

Baijiu is the most popular alcoholic drink in China and Moutai the most famous brand, with a similar status to vodka in Russia or tequila in Mexico. Its origins go back over 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Wu of Han. These days, the national drink is frequently served at official state banquets and is used as the official state gift. Its protected source is the village of Maotai in the Guizhou province on the banks of the Chishui, the Red River. These days, more than 30,000 tons of the 53 percent alcohol Moutai are produced. In cooperation with Camus, a limited edition was launched as an homage to the greatest poets: after Li Bai in 2013, Du Fu followed in 2018. The elegant bottle showing a painting of a poem is made from the finest porcelain.

Traditional methods are used for the distillation of regional raw materials: organic sorghum and wheat and the best water. Fermentation takes place at high temperatures. During the production process, which takes a year, fresh grain is added twice to the boilers, then several boiling and fermentation processes take place. Every batch of the distillate is separated according to age, production cycle and aroma. It then matures slowly in terracotta containers and, during the storage period of at least five years, develops a fine soya aroma. Master blenders make sure that the characteristic, full flavour is preserved. The secret lies in the humid climate, the water from the Chishui, as well as in the distillation technique and maturing period.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kweichou Moutai Du Fu Edition.

MBG International Premium Brands – Brands with added value

“We Love Liquids.” This slogan has accompanied MBG on its worldwide path of success since it was founded in 1993 under the name P.O.S. Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH: Strong brands have been established around the world in nearly 60 countries, with innovative own brands, renowned retail brands, great ideas and a lot of energy. With over 250 employees, the MBG Group currently generates over € 200 million and, every year, more than a million hectolitres are produced. The portfolio in Germany includes 12 own brands and 6 retail brands (from non-alcoholic drinks to low proof drinks to wines & spirits) for 90,000 customers.

“Our recipe for successful brands is the mixture of passion, conviction and knowledge of the market. If all goes well, names and products become new worlds which consumers love. Success is not always predictable, which means that courage is needed above all. The right moment has to be found and hard work put in, just like with a hit single: some are one hit wonders while others become classics.” Little can be added to this definition from Managing Director Andreas W. Herb. From the MBG Group headquarters in Paderborn, a great deal of expertise makes successful brands, tailored to the respective target group and the market segment. Many brands that are well known on shop shelves and in the gastronomy sector have played a role in the history of the company.

Participation in the World Spirits Award yielded gold for Dos Mas Nasty Nuts Shot.

Kamill – Top spirits with a golden shine

High quality spirits have been refined at Kamill using a special method since 2009. The core products are vodka, brandy and whisky, but there is also raki and apricot brandy, to which 23 carat gold flakes are added. When it comes to bottling, imagination and creativity are also evident in the 3D label and the unusual bottle shapes. The ‘golden idea’ behind all this: “In the Middle Ages, gold was the symbol for the human heart and the power of God, which is why gold tinctures were used for healing purposes. Research has shown that the structures of this element transport medicines into the body perfectly. So why shouldn’t we also use this for more enjoyable products?”

In the ‘workshop’ at Kamill everything is done by hand. The vodka, for example, is filled into 10 litre canisters and clarified in a four-week procedure (using a special agent made from protein and edible gelatine), whereby the essential oils sink to the bottom. After being filled into other containers, the pure alcohol is brought to -20°C. This mixture is filled into yet another container, so that the remaining essential oils can be removed from the liquid. The final product from these processes is a pure, neutral-tasting vodka which can be further refined. After filtering, edible flakes of gold (E-175) are added and the shiny final product is filled into bottles. ‘Austrian Gold Savran Vodka’ gets its special flair from high quality organic Marchfeld saffron from the Schartner family’s farm.

The ‘treasures’ impressed the judges at the World Spirits Award: they won double gold for Baku, and gold for Oligarch Gold Vodka Saffron and Azerbaijan Gold Vodka.

Miguel Torres: A family empire with a special commitment

Juan Torres Master Distillers is the business division of the Torres family (their roots can be traced back to the 17th century), which has devoted itself to the production of high-quality spirits. The origins date back to 1928, when Juan Torres Casals from the second generation of the family began making brandies from white wines from the Penedès region to the southwest of Barcelona.

With 90 years of experience, the art of distillation is constantly being developed at Torres. The product range includes brandy, pisco, orange liqueur and tequila, which are sold under the brand names Torres Brandy, El Gobernador, Magdala and Rocado.

The company is now in its fifth generation, employs more than 1,300 people in total and is available in more than 150 countries around the world. Wine bars in Shanghai, Barcelona and Santiago de Chile, as well as an impressive social media presence, demonstrate their international commitment. Their employees are their ‘primary asset’ and take top rank in their list of corporate values. Ecology also has a significant value, and CO2 emissions per bottle have been reduced by 30% since 2008. Fair trade is a must, with the goal of maximum fairness, based on transparency and respect. As part of the family foundation, the family has cooperated with more than 400 projects around the world since the mid-1980s – with the protection of children as the main focus.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for El Pisco Gobernador Reservado (Moscatel), and silver for Torres 15 Reservada Privada and Magdala (Orange Liqueur).