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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.

Svedka - Hot parties with a touch of cool Sweden

Where there is a party, there is Svedka - whether it be on Broadway, in Hollywood or in Berlin. The stars and starlets love this Swedish vodka: fans include Sting, Paris Hilton, Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzmann, Gwyneth Paltrow, Melanie Trump, Kate Moss and many more.

The secret behind the flavour of Svedka is rooted in centuries of Swedish tradition. High quality wheat forms the basis (1.5 kg per litre) which is then distilled five times. The process takes over 40 hours. The result is so smooth that it does not require filtering. The purest of spring waters are used in the master blending process. The result is a gentle freshness. Four flavoured vodkas are also offered in addition to the pure vodka: citron, clementine, raspberry and vanilla.

Svedka Vodka is the fastest growing Swedish brand of vodka worldwide. It was launched onto the market in 1998 and in 2007 was taken over by Constellation Brands together with its brand owner Spirits Marque One LLC, based in New York. In the USA, this cool Swedish vodka spread through the bars and nightclubs like wildfire, supported by a trendy advertising campaign entitled "Happy Hour in America" with slogans such as "Make Cocktails, not War", "Mix liberally, drink conservatively", "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happy Hour" and "Conserve Energy, drink sitting down". Futuristic cocktail recipes such as the "Peeping Android" and "2033" have also played a part. "2033" was chosen because Svedka has been "predicted" to be the most popular vodka in the world in that very year.

The products scored well at the World-Spirits Award: the "pure" vodka won a double gold and there was also gold for the "Clementine Flavored" and "Citron Flavored" as well as silver for the "Raspberry Flavored".

Porta – Vodka from Argentina

The Italian Porta family left their homeland of Lombardy in 1882 and migrated to Argentina, where they set up a distillery. The company has been under the direction of its fourth generation of managers since 1981 and has extended its fields of business in various directions since then. It has also moved its location to the industrial site of Cordoba where modern distilling and vinegar making are now possible within this new setting – the country is in fact the market leader in the country for Balsamic vinegar production. The company has its own research labs where new developments are made in the areas of cosmetics and disinfection. The diversity and complexity of the range of products on offer is guaranteed by highly qualified specialists.
When producing its spirits, the company places a great deal of importance on natural raw materials and skilled craftsmanship. Recipes handed down over many generations are implemented using modern technology and adhering to strict quality controls. The traditional Fernet 1882 brand as well as rum and liqueur made from wild cherries and coffee have recently been complemented by the addition of Nikov vodka to the range which comes in four different flavours – classic, mandarin, vanilla and red fruits. The Nikov vodka has been awarded the Superior Taste Award by the International Taste & Quality Institute in Brussels. This independent organisation of chefs and sommeliers works to assess, award and promote foods and beverages with exceptional flavour.
Nikov vodka also impressed at the World-Spirits Award and was awarded a gold by the jury.