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Kiuchi Brewing and Distilling: Authentic products with a long tradition

The Kiuchi sake brewery was founded in 1823 in the city of Naka in Ibaraki Prefecture. High-quality ingredients and great craftsmanship have been used for generations. When Mikio Kiuchi took over the brewery in the 1950s, the sake industry, like the rest of the economy, was growing rapidly, flooding the market with mass-produced goods. However, Kiuchi stuck to its high-end philosophy, the trademark of the company since its foundation. The family seized the opportunity of entering the craft beer market, buying equipment from abroad and incorporating their sake brewing experience into beer production. The whiskey business was launched in 2016, and the ‘Hinomaru Whiskey’ and ‘Hinomaru Gin’ brands were created to mark the anniversary year 2023.

Traditions have been passed on and refined in the search for authentic sake brewing. An old community centre was renovated and became the new location of the brewery and distillery. This is a meeting place where people from the area gather and chat as they used to, and can now also enjoy a whiskey. In addition to a tour and a tasting corner, there is also a popular restaurant.

At the World Spirits Award, the First Class Distillery received gold for Hinomaru Gin Craft, Kiuchi rice shochu Ginka edition, silver for Kikusakari Awashizuku Sparkling Sake Vintage 2008, Hinomaru Whiskey Sakura Cask aged 6 years, Hinomaru Whiskey SAKURA blended, Hinomaru Whiskey Signature 1823, Hinomaru whisky The 1st barrels, and bronze for Hinomaru whisky sherry cask 6 years.

Schwarzwaldbrennerei Markus Kalmbach: Ode to the Black Forest

This small, fine distillery is located in Baiersbronn, the largest forest municipality in Germany. The family business was founded by Fritz Kalmbach in 1963 and is now run in its third generation by Markus Kalmbach. The full-time banker runs the distillery at weekends, which has long since become a sideline. The family is now the sixth generation to live in the farmhouse built back in 1880. Tasting takes place in the tasting room in the former stables with a view of the distillery. Groups of ten or more can combine the tour with a taste of the local cuisine. In fine weather, there is a panoramic terrace from which you can enjoy the view of the Sankenbach Valley. The products are also available chilled in fresh spring water at the schnapps fountain on the edge of the village, which is open all year round. It is located in an idyllic spot under fir trees, with a bench and an inviting view of Baiersbronn.

They favour tradition with zeitgeist and class over mass production. Quality not quantity is the motto which they live by. Decades of experience with the ever-developing art of distilling infuse the diverse products made from fruit, herbs and grain. They range from Black Forest kirsch to herbal and bloodroot schnapps to gin and whisky. Aside from the malt mash from rye, wheat, spelt and emmer, the distillery’s own soft spring water and the fir wood from its own forest for the distillation process, time is perhaps the greatest ingredient in the whisky. It matures over years in the various wooden barrels in the vaulted cellar of the former farmhouse. In 2023, the grain brandy made from emmer, spelt and einkorn was awarded gold by the Association of Small Distillers and Fruit Distillers at the regional award ceremony.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Kornbrand Emmer-Dinkel-Einkorn.

MBG International Premium Brands – Brands with added value

“We Love Liquids.” This slogan has accompanied MBG on its worldwide path of success since it was founded in 1993 under the name P.O.S. Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH: Strong brands have been established around the world in nearly 60 countries, with innovative own brands, renowned retail brands, great ideas and a lot of energy. With over 250 employees, the MBG Group currently generates over € 200 million and, every year, more than a million hectolitres are produced. The portfolio in Germany includes 12 own brands and 6 retail brands (from non-alcoholic drinks to low proof drinks to wines & spirits) for 90,000 customers.

“Our recipe for successful brands is the mixture of passion, conviction and knowledge of the market. If all goes well, names and products become new worlds which consumers love. Success is not always predictable, which means that courage is needed above all. The right moment has to be found and hard work put in, just like with a hit single: some are one hit wonders while others become classics.” Little can be added to this definition from Managing Director Andreas W. Herb. From the MBG Group headquarters in Paderborn, a great deal of expertise makes successful brands, tailored to the respective target group and the market segment. Many brands that are well known on shop shelves and in the gastronomy sector have played a role in the history of the company.

Participation in the World Spirits Award yielded gold for Dos Mas Nasty Nuts Shot.

Tradition Mexico – Tequila without compromises

The friends behind Padre azul, the new tequila in the premium segment, stand united on one matter: their passion for Mexico. “We appreciate high quality tequila, and with Padre azul we are bringing an exclusive product to Europe. We searched for the perfect distillery for a long time. At Tres Mujeres in Jalisco in the highlands of Mexico we found what we were looking for.” 100% Mexico – 100% handcraft – 100% agave.

These requirements and quality criteria apply to the whole production process, which is why each bottle also wears the sought-after quality seal from the Mexican authorities, “Consejo Regulador del Tequila” (CRT). There were no compromises when it came to the design of the bottles: they are made by hand and adorned with a 270g skull which represents the skull culture of Mexico.

Padre azul is available in three grades of maturity, depending on the length of storage. The Añejo usually spends eighteen months in French oak barrels to achieve a mature, full-bodied taste. The Reposado needs at least eight months in barrels for its subtle vanilla tone. The Blanco is a clear tequila which is bottled straight after distillation – it is soft and mild in taste. None of the three need salt or lemon – you can enjoy them neat. True to the motto: no compromises.

At the World Spirits Award, the trio was very successful: there was double gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul anejo, gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul reposado, and silver for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul blanco.