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Elephant Gin: Spirit of Africa

Elephant Gin is made with 14 carefully selected botanicals, which are macerated together and distilled on a steam-heated, 400-litre copper still. It is this mixture of African herbs and fresh fruits from Europe which gives the gin its unmistakable finesse.

The product range was expanded with an Elephant Sloe Gin in December 2015, whose taste comes from the fresh fruits of the wild blackthorn. The skin of the berries is sliced with a knife and, after a maceration period of three to four months in Elephant London Dry Gin, a mild-aromatic bouquet with the typical tart, sour aroma of blackthorn unfolds. Since the start of 2017, there has also been an overproof variety, Elephant Strength Gin with 57 per cent alcohol by volume. Every batch has the name of one of the Magnificent Seven, the most impressive elephants in Kruger National Park in South Africa. An aged gin was produced for the first time in 2018. The limited edition of this Elephant Aged Gin is based on a 100% rye distillate and is aged in oak casks.

Robin and Tessa Gerlach are the visionaries behind Elephant Gin. Travelling together through Africa inspired them to produce a premium gin, which in name, content and loving presentation of the bottle has a deep connection to Africa. It is also fitting that 15 per cent of the proceeds go to two foundations that campaign for the preservation of the critically endangered African elephant.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Elephant London Dry Gin and Elephant Strength Gin, and silver for Elephant Sloe Gin.

Berentzen Group: 250 years of cultured distilled spirits

The Berentzen Group is a diverse beverage company for spirits, alcohol-free beverages and juicing systems. With over 250 years of experience behind them, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

Berentzen Signature has been included in the range since April 2019 – a premium fruit liqueur refined with fruit brandies – apple, pear and damson. Fruit brandies from German distillers form the basis, produced using natural ingredients and without additives. The balance between alcohol, fruit and less sweetness appeals mainly to the target group aged 25 and over. The concept is based on what consumers, who are increasingly searching for exceptional and high-quality products, want, and follows the premiumisation trend of the spirits market. However, the Berentzen Group still remains true to its roots – fruity liqueurs.

In Tres Países Rum, distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic are combined. It is distilled in a pot still, using the column still process, and is matured for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon barrels in a tropical climate before coming to Europe. The blend reflects the characteristics of the three countries: sweet, caramel notes with a soft finish from Panama, dried fruits and chocolate from Guatemala, and full-bodied raisin aromas from the Dominican Republic, giving it depth and structure.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Tres Países, silver for Signature Apple and Signature Pear, and bronze for Signature Damson.

Georg Hemmeter – XUXU, Escorial, SILLA EL FUERTE

Georg Hemmeter – strawberry drinks with exceptional flavour guaranteed

The name Georg Hemmeter – a company of the Underberg Group – stands for innovative spirits, in particular the XUXU range. The fresh and fruity strawberry drink contains 66 percent fruit plus crystal-clear vodka, rounded off with a dash of lime. The harmony between the sweetness of the fruit and just 15% alcohol by volume is created using a special production method. XUXU Ten, the little luxury in a 250 ml aluminium bottle with only 10% alcohol by volume, is dressed to party – it is still relatively new to the market, yet is already at home in all the world’s top party venues.
XUXU can be served in so many different ways: chilled, neat, on crushed ice, as a dessert topping, with sparkling wine or with other mixers – XUXU tastes heavenly and offers fresh and fruity pleasure. Welcome to Berrydise!

Initially the absolute top star in Greece, XUXU is now also number 1 in Russia, and extremely popular in Turkey and Italy too.


XUXU Strawberry & Vodka Drink and XUXU Ten won Gold at the World Spirits Award 2014.