World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

MV GROUP – A wide range from the Baltic states

MV Group is one of the largest business groups in the Baltic states. There are four divisions responsible for the production of alcoholic drinks: Stumbras, Alita, Anykš i vynas and Gubernija - the oldest brewery in Lithuania, with more than 350 years of experience under its belt. The factory specialises in beer, kvass and other drinks. Another member of the group is Mineraliniai Vandenys, the leading wholesaler for alcohol, tobacco, and other consumer goods in the Baltic countries, with subsidiaries in Latvia, Estonia and Poland, and the specialist chainstore Bottlery, where over 1,000 drink brands as well as snacks and table accessories are sold. Tromina, one of the most innovative, stable and fastest-growing logistics businesses in Lithuania, manages a 35,000 m2 storage area and offers a comprehensive range of services – from storage and preparation of goods to sales, transport, distribution, accounting and invoicing.

Alita is one of the oldest and well-known manufacturers of sparkling wines and spirits in Lithuania. The portfolio includes sparkling wines, brandies, bitters, cocktails, carbonated drinks, vodka and other spirits. A large percentage of the production is exported. Stumbras is one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of alcoholic drinks in the Baltic region, and specialises in vodka, bitters, liqueurs and brandy. Anykšciu vynas is one of the oldest businesses in the southern Baltic region, well-known for fruit and berry wines, cider, bitters, liqueurs as well as concentrated juices, mostly from regional raw materials.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Alita Brandy XO.

Spezialitäten-Brennerei & Whisky Destillerie Liebl: Distilled with passion

The roots of the family business go back to the year 1935 and the small grocery store of grandmother Maria Liebl. Following the difficult war years, a wine and spirits trade was added to the business. In 1970, they began with their own production of traditional, regional specialities such as Bärwurz.

The purchase of a distillery in 1990, with the rights for distilling 300 litres, laid the foundation for the current technology. In January 2006, the first whisky distillery in the Bavarian Forest was created. In 2013, the product range was extended with Bavarian Dry Gin, Bavarian Premium Vodka and Bavarian Rum. As well as apple, pear and damson, the focus is on wild fruits such as wild cherry, yew, hawthorn and juneberry, but the repertoire also includes Sicilian blood orange and tangerine.

Tradition, nature, time and the desire to create something special are the principles on which top class spirits have been produced here for many years. Nature provides the benchmark and thus also the motivation for Gerhard Liebl to transform fully ripe fruit into ‘liquid diamonds of the art of distillation’ every year.

The World Class Distillery 2022 received gold for Williamsbirne Edition Lena (pear), Jahrgangsbrand 2020, Bergkirschbrand (cherry), Rote Williamsbirne (pear), Elsbeerenbrand (wild serviceberry), Spänlingbrand (plum) and Espressolikör (espresso liqueur).

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.

Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.