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Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.

Rick Spirit: Organic gin made in Austria

After much trying and testing, master distiller Patrick Marchl has brought three varieties of organic gin onto the market: after Rick Rich, the fruity, lemony gin, and Rick Brave, the strong gin with juniper, pepper and ginger, the Mediterranean, summery Rick Feel followed. Rick is a premium organic gin, handmade from pure-ly certified organic ingredients. The focus lies on the highest quality of all raw materials as well as on regionali-ty and sustainability. Only small batches are produced using modern distilling technology.

Production takes place in the southern Styrian village of Gamlitz according to the highest quality standard, London Dry. After his many journeys around the gin world – from England to America – the connoisseur and ‘Gintleman’ decided that home is best, and that his homeland needed a really good gin. “A classic, which leads back to the basics but catapults you into another world with its variety of flavours. A bit like the past meeting future. That was the decisive factor in my motivation for creating a recipe. The gin Big Five – juniper berries, coriander, angelica root, lemon and orange peel – were mixed with dozens of other botanicals such as ginger, liquorice, lemongrass, Kaffir limes and jasmine, to name but a few.”

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Rick Feel Mediterranean Gin, and silver for Rick Rich Dry Gin and Rick Brave London Dry Gin.

Valamo Monastery Distillery – Absinthe from the far North

Distilling has been a traditional part of life in European monasteries ever since the first crusade in the 11th century, when the monks learned the craft in the Middle East. According to documents, the Valamo Monastery dates back to the 12th century and has been at the centre of orthodox culture in Finland for nearly 850 years. The only orthodox monastery in the country lies in the eastern Finnish landscape of South Savo, with extensive lakes and forests. In 2013, the distilling tradition was reawakened, today Valamo is the only monastery in the world which produces its own whisky, gin and absinthe. Liqueurs made from aromatic wild berries also mature in the quiet monastery. The ingredients come from the surrounding countryside – pure spring water, arctic plants and aromatic wild berries create the exceptional taste and quality of the products.

Fascinated and inspired by the mysterious reputation of absinthe, the monks decided to create their own absinthe in 2016. An old French book from the 19th century formed the basis for their extensive experiments. During the development processes, the monks collected information on authentic recipes and indigenous ingredients from around the world. After a lot of hard work, Valamo’s master distiller, Asko Ryynänen, created an absinthe which embodies a long history and mysterious quality – a traditional product with a modern touch, kept in striking ‘medicinal’ bottles.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Valamo Mint and Valamo Gin.