World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

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.

LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.

RSB Spirituosenerzeugung: Back to the roots

The person who came up with the idea for the gin, Dr. Klaus Burka (1959 – 21. 02.2024), was of the opinion that the many gins on the market were too far removed from the original taste of gin, namely the strong taste of juniper. Following months of trials, Sau Guata Gin was created. The name was born as an answer to the question of how the gin should taste. The answer was the Austrian word: ‘Sauguat!’ (extremely good). And so the name and the label were born.

The gin is produced under the watchful eyes of the managing directors. Their love for the product is their motivation to make the time needed to produce this gin. Pristine botanicals such as juniper, coriander, lemongrass, cinnamon, ginger, mandarin and angelica root in organic quality are used. They are distilled and bottled in 1190 Vienna, packed by hand in gift boxes and sent to customers. The gin is already known and loved far beyond the Austrian borders.

This London Dry Gin is manufactured in accordance with the most strictly regulated method in Europe. The essences for this exceptional gin are extracted from the exquisite ingredients during the carefully observed maceration process. Professionally distilled and carefully filtered following a long, well-deserved resting period and then diluted with spring water, the unmistakeable Sau Guata Gin is the result. It is not the mass of botanicals or the alcohol content that are characteristic, but the true and original gin taste which provides the opportunity to enjoy it neat or with different tonic waters and other ingredients. Back to the Roots! – that is the motto. Responding to the repeated requests from bartenders, the company has also created a 57% Navy Strength Gin.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Sau Guata Gin London Dry Gin.

Casa Noble – The essence of the blue agave

Casa Noble premium tequilas are a part of Mexico, made from ripe, blue agaves (‘Agave tequilana F.A.C. Weber’), hand-picked in the hills of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. Only made in small batches, with traditional techniques, the results can be tasted in this notable trio: Casa Noble Tequila Crystal, Casa Noble Reposado Tequila and Casa Noble Tequila Añejo. Modern know-how is based on a handicraft art that has been passed down through seven generations, begun by the founder and Maestro Tequilero, Jose ‘Pepe’ Hermosillo, in the middle of the 18th century.

As a USDA Certified Organic Tequila producer, all rules and practices for sustainability must be strictly followed throughout the entire production process. The first step is the selection of the ripe agaves, which must comply with strict criteria in terms of water and sugar content. The fruit heart (‘piña’) is steamed in large ovens for 36 hours, to extract the sweet juice. After the fermentation process, distillation takes place, and at Casa Noble this means three times – once more than is usual. French Limousin oak barrels are used for maturation and storage. The result is a tequila which takes the spirit to new levels.

The products also performed at a high level at the World Spirits Award: with double gold for Casa Noble Joven, gold for Casa Noble Añejo, and silver for Casa Noble Crystal.