World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Stock Polska – Prestige products with history

Polmos Lublin (known today as Stock Polska) was founded by the industrialist Emil Plage in Lublin in 1906 and was able to survive both world wars and the communist state leadership. The company was nationalised in 1948 and re-privatised in 2001. It traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange until 2005 and was sold in 2006. The new owners, Oaktree Capital Management, purchased the spirits division from Eckes Stock in 2007 and thereby laid the foundations for the current Stock Spirits Group. The company has its headquarters in Luxembourg, its service centre in Great Britain and its production sites in the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland.

Stock dates back to the year 1884 when Lionello Stock founded a beverages business in Trieste. He purchased a distillery in 1920 in what is currently part of the Czech Republic with the aim of tapping into new markets. This was followed by distilleries, bottling plants and warehouses in Italy, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia. In the 1920s, Stock was one of the biggest companies of its kind in Europe.

After an absence of 70 years, Stock returned to Poland and began to manufacture at the historic site of Lublin, 150 kilometres south-east of Warsaw. Intensive investment led to the creation of the most modern distillery in Poland and a leadership position on the vodka market. Poland’s most popular flavoured vodka is produced here: Zoladkowa Gorzka.

Lots of Stock products are produced by traditional recipes. These classical brands appeal to connoisseurs all over the world. In return, work is constantly being done on innovations that correspond to modern tastes and new drinking cultures. Quality standards are constantly upheld in both areas, of course.

The quality of the products was recognised at the World Spirits Award with a gold medal for the Orkisz Spelt Vodka.

Diageo India: Single malt with the spirit of the desert

Diageo India, as a subsidiary of the world market leader Diageo, is the leading alcoholic drinks company in the country with a wide portfolio of over 50 spirits brands – old and new, big and small, global and local, in almost every price segment in every category. Each spirit has its own story to tell – of tradition, craftsmanship, innovative production and inspiring design. One of these is Godawan whisky.

It was born in Rajasthan, an area with a flourishing heritage of proud artisans who uphold old traditions and foster a rich culture of art, design, music and architecture. This heritage is also a cornerstone in the production of the single malt – from the grain to the glass – in an exceptional environment. It makes use of the heat in the extreme climate and of local ingredients, to create malts with a great depth of taste. The basis is locally sourced, six-row barley, a crop with a higher protein content, slowly distilled after malting and matured at high temperatures. It is then finalised in special barrels with Indian plant substances, ensuring an authentic taste. The bottle sports a giant bustard, a bird that symbolises the exceptional culture of the region. Once present throughout India, the shrinking habitats are driving the majestic bird to extinction. The last of the remaining 150 birds have found refuge in the rough desert of Rajasthan.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to Godawan Single Malt Rich and Rounded Artisan Whisky, Godawan Single Malt Fruit and Spice Artisan Whisky.

Emil Scheibel Schwarzwald-Brennerei: With hydropower to whisky

Michael Scheibel has breathed new life into the disused Scheibel mill in Kappelrodeck. Single malt whisky has been produced here since 2014; the first batch came on the market in 2018 after more than three years’ storage. The listed building has been lovingly restored while historical details were preserved. A turbine from 1954 provides power, and any surplus goes directly into the distillery and the public network. “Grain still plays a central role here, but now in liquid form,” says the company boss.

The hand-hammered copper stills with the typical swan’s neck were especially designed for the distillery and guarantee consistent quality. “They catch the eye from the visitors’ room,” says chief distiller Frank Blechschmidt. The whisky benefits from the architecture of the mill when maturing as it is stored on four levels with different temperature and climate zones. The Acher River under the mill provides coolness and humidity. “In summer, temperatures reach 45 degrees under the roof, in winter it’s common to see temperatures of minus 10,” says Michael Scheibel. “This ensures movement in the barrel and creates the heartbeat of our single malt whisky.”

Under the brand names EMILL Stockwerk, with 46 per cent alcohol by volume, and EMILL Kraftwerk, at cask strength with 58.7 per cent alcohol by volume, there are currently two products available at the mill and online.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Emill Single Malt Whisky Stockwerk and Emill Single Malt Whisky Kraftwerk.