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TERAI India Dry Gin: Indian contribution to the gin scene

Terai is a belt of fertile swamplands stretching along the foothills of the Himalayas. This land irrigated by springs and rivers, with its lush and fresh vegetation, is reflected in the carefully manufactured TERAI Gin. The botanicals are sourced mainly from Khari Baoli – Asia’s largest herb and spice market in Delhi.

Since the 14th century, Terai has been the homeland of the Swarup founding family, who have a long history of farming in the region. The distillery in Behror, Rajasthan, was one of the first in independent India, founded by Shekhar Swarup, a fourth-generation distiller. Equipped with a customised Carl copper pot still, the gin is manufactured in a traditional one-shot London Dry procedure. The basic distillate is a rice grain distillate from the neighbouring family distillery, enabling a strictly controlled grain-to-glass process.

The result is a modern gin, on the one hand rooted in the tradition of London Dry Gin, and on the other with an authentically Indian flavour profile. Apart from juniper berries, coriander, fennel, lemon peel, orange peel, lavender, rose, angelica and iris root, it also contains a special component: the ‘holy herb’ Tulsi (Indian basil). In the spiritual life of many Hindus, it plays a role in religious ceremonies and is associated with many legends surrounding its divine protection. This shrub with delicate leaves stands in countless house entrances or courtyards in India.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to TERAI India Dry Gin.

Brennerei Südstraße – Aroma has top priority

A love for old orchards was the starting platform, followed by the first distilling efforts, before a distillery was installed in Schwanau-Ottenheimam Rhein in south Baden, between Strasbourg and Freiburg in 2006. At the same time, Lutz Weide started his training as a state registered distiller (2008) and fine brandy sommelier (2012), additionally gaining WSET Level 2 in London.

Since 2014, distilling has taken place in a new facility with an ‘aromat’. This is a booster with a 14 metre copper loop, whose design makes possible a gentle, uniform heating of the alcohol vapour which affords absolute priority to the aroma. The results are excellent, but double-distillation in low wine and middle cut methods is still used. Only their own fruit from an approximately four hectare meadow orchard is used. They use all the common fruits, but also regional specialities like quince, pears and apples. The demand for absolute top quality is delivered by the family through hand selection of the fruit, meticulous cleanliness as well as a great deal of patience at the distilling apparatus. The various spice spirits of the so-called ‘South Street Series’ are a unique speciality, manufactured using sieve distilling methods.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for South Street Aniseed Spirit, and silver for South Street No. 1 London Dry Gin, South Street Caraway Spirit, South Street Plum and Caraway Spirit from the oak barrel.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.

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.