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Windspiel: From the field to the bottle

At the Weilerhof farm in the Vulkaneifel region, Sandra Wimmeler and Denis Lönnendonker grow the pota-toes for their down-to-earth spirit, which is all produced by hand: from sorting to attaching the ribbons to the gold ring on the bottleneck. After the harvest, the potatoes are carefully washed, finely ground, added to drinking water and worked into a pumpable paste. This is heated to destroy any germs, and the transfor-mation from starch to sugar begins. After slowly being cooled down, a special yeast is added and the mash ferments in a tank. After three rounds of distillation, the basis for all the products is finished – an alcohol with a delicate mildness and characteristic potato note.

For the Premium Dry Gin juniper, lemon peel, coriander, lavender blossoms, ginger and cinnamon are added (the rest remains a secret). The Reserve is stored for many months in oak barrels and is exceptionally mild with its 50 percent alcohol by volume – perfect for enjoying on the rocks. The Navy Strength with 57 percent alcohol by volume is rounded off by ingredients from the routes of the colonial rulers from the past. For the Sloe Gin, hand-selected sloes from the Eifel region are preserved in 70 percent Premium Dry Gin, before the macerate is mixed with the 47 percent gin, sloe juice and sugar. The 30 percent juice adds a subtle sweetness to the bitter note – an ideal sundowner. The product range is completed by barrel matured vodka and a herb spirit.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Windspiel Premium Dry Gin, Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Navy Strength, Windspiel Premium Sloe Gin and Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Reserve.

Halewood Artisanal Spirits: Networked global presence

The manufacturer of artisanal spirits based in Great Britain boasts a highly awarded product range and is one of the leading independent distillers in the country, with over 950 employees. The brands are still family-owned and have a global presence, sold in 75 countries. The key markets are South Africa, Russia, Canada, Australia, China and Germany. The company develops, acquires and expands high-quality spirits brands worldwide, showing great competence in distillation, sales, marketing, traditional retailing and e-commerce.

Halewood owns and manages eleven main distilleries and a craft brewery, ten bars and an e-commerce enterprise, The Drop Store, present in Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Australia, South Africa and the USA. Halewood Artisanal Spirits owns distilleries for whisky, gin, vodka and rum, as well as a brewery. Customers include high-end luxury hotels, drinks wholesalers, supermarkets and food retailers. A wide international sales team is present on the markets, also external from the company.

The First Class Distillery 2022 received gold for Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum 37.5%, Dead Man’s Fingers Black Rum 40%, JJ Whitley Vodka Artisanal Vodka, JJ Whitley Vodka Artisanal Gold Vodka and Whitley Neill Connoisseur’s Cut Gin. Silver was awarded to Whitley Neill London Dry Gin, Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin, Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin, Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger, JJ Whitley Vodka Blue Raspberry, Crabbie’s Yardhead Single Malt Whisky, Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey, Samuel Gelston’s Single Malt Irish Whiskey and Samuel Gelston’s Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.