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Likörfabrik Busch – Glass factory for Killepitsch and Co

Through the glass facade you can watch live as the Düsseldorf Killepitsch herb schnapps is made. 24 hours, day after day – and illuminated at night. “We planned from the beginning that there would be something exciting to see from the outside”, company boss Peter Busch says about his ‘bottle parade’. The herb schnapps has been around for 60 years, the liqueur factory since 1858, previously for many years in the Old Town, until due to a lack of space it was moved to the Medienhafen harbour. Two things were important during planning stage: the production as a presentation and energy efficiency, which is why the new building is six stories high. On 5,500 square metres there are two filling lines, one of which is fully automated.

The classic Killepitsch contains essences from 98 herbs, berries and fruits from all over the world, such as caraway, gentian root and bitter orange. The ingredients are mixed together in liquid form and matured for six weeks at 20 degrees in 20 stainless steel tanks, which hold around 700,000 litres; then the schnapps is stored for a year in old clay pots. As well as this ‘genuine Düsseldorf speciality’, Gin Pitsch Düsseldorf Dry Gin is produced, which is characterised by 18 natural botanicals and citrus fruits. The designer bottle shows the imposing Düsseldorf skyline. The third of the Düsseldorf trio is Applepitsch, a fruity liqueur made from citrus fruit distillates and the juice of untreated apples, gently combined with Vodkapitsch.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Ginpitsch and Killepitsch, silver for Applepitsch.

Kavalan – Taiwan’s first single malt whisky

Taiwan’s natural resources gave rise to the founding of the country’s first whisky distillery. Behind the whisky is the King Car Group which operates companies in various sectors, including drinks, food, bio-technology, aquaculture among others. For years, they were looking for the perfect place for whisky production on the subtropical island, where hot, humid summers accelerate the maturation process. Yilan in the north-east of Taiwan was chosen due to the pure spring water of the Central Mountain Range and Snowy Mountain Range. The location also has the cleanest air in the country and is close to the Pacific, where the cool winds from Siberia can be felt in winter. An ideal setting for letting the whisky breathe in its casks.

The distillery was built in record time in just nine months with the first drops produced on 11 March 2006 and the first bottles of Kavalan issued in December 2008. Today, Kavalan is the most-sold product in this field. The company’s technical equipment includes copper distillation stills from overseas, various cask types (bourbon, sherry, American oak, etc.) and professional advisors – some with more than 30 years of experience in drinks manufacture.

The company’s results at the World Spirits Award are just as impressive as the dimensions of its distillery: as well as double gold for the Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, there were another 16 golds and one silver.

Berentzen Group: 260 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, 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.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.

Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.