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Stock Polska – Prestige products with history

Polmos Lublin (known today as Stock Polska) was founded by the industrialist Emil Plage in Lublin in 1906 and was able to survive both world wars and the communist state leadership. The company was nationalised in 1948 and re-privatised in 2001. It traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange until 2005 and was sold in 2006. The new owners, Oaktree Capital Management, purchased the spirits division from Eckes Stock in 2007 and thereby laid the foundations for the current Stock Spirits Group. The company has its headquarters in Luxembourg, its service centre in Great Britain and its production sites in the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland.

Stock dates back to the year 1884 when Lionello Stock founded a beverages business in Trieste. He purchased a distillery in 1920 in what is currently part of the Czech Republic with the aim of tapping into new markets. This was followed by distilleries, bottling plants and warehouses in Italy, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia. In the 1920s, Stock was one of the biggest companies of its kind in Europe.

After an absence of 70 years, Stock returned to Poland and began to manufacture at the historic site of Lublin, 150 kilometres south-east of Warsaw. Intensive investment led to the creation of the most modern distillery in Poland and a leadership position on the vodka market. Poland’s most popular flavoured vodka is produced here: Zoladkowa Gorzka.

Lots of Stock products are produced by traditional recipes. These classical brands appeal to connoisseurs all over the world. In return, work is constantly being done on innovations that correspond to modern tastes and new drinking cultures. Quality standards are constantly upheld in both areas, of course.

The quality of the products was recognised at the World Spirits Award with a gold medal for the Orkisz Spelt Vodka.

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.

Young Henrys – New World vibe

Freshly drawn beer at the bar, good music and high spirits. Young Henrys brewery and distillery, founded in Newtown, Australia, in 2012, has a particular flair – seven days a week. It is like a festival that attracts musicians, artists, environmentalists, activists and free thinkers. It is the home of individualists, each with something interesting to say or do, and in the centre, like a huge, invisible magnet: beer. This is what happens when you have the right idea in the right place at the right time. The same goes for the Noble Cut Gin. It also ‘rocks’.

Just like beer, the base is 100% grain, without additives or enhancers. Triple distilled and then refined with classic botanicals: juniper, coriander, orange peel, cinnamon bark, liquorice root and angelica root. But wait a minute! Because brewers are involved here, there is an additional, special ingredient in the gin: hops, grown on site, which create a certain yeasty hint, almost like a fine white wine. However, this is not the only local ingredient: the unique pepperberry (mountain pepper), local bush tomatoes and Australian Sencha tea are also added. The result: very aromatic, complex New World stylistics.

At the World Spirits Award, the Noble Cut, which is full of character, was also enjoyed by the jury and received gold.

AnderWald: A place full of stories

This tale began not in a cellar, not in a distillery, but in a small pub in Dublin. A place full of stories, with golden drops that whispered of old recipes. It was there that they had the idea to create their own fine spirits, not just to enjoy the ones already there. Unique pieces as an expression of their own path. Where small miracles are created from water, fire, earth and time. And where every drop tells the story of its origin.

This young, independent spirits producer in Deutsch-Brodersdorf is dedicated to combining regionality, traditional distilling craftsmanship and innovative barrel ageing. Philipp Zima, a trained chemist, developed the recipes and production processes himself with scientific precision. Raw materials such as Styrian apples for the brandy and Viennese barley malt for the whisky are used in the process. They have respect for the classics, as well as the courage to think differently. Their heart is in nature, their gaze is deep – and their curiosity is fuelled by alchemy.

Maturation takes place in selected European barrels, as well as classic oak and local chestnut wood, which lends a unique, warm aroma. A central element of the philosophy is the targeted barrel reference: their own maturing barrels filled with apple brandy are used for individual maturation. Sustainability, transparency in the origin of raw materials and uncompromising quality characterise the way they work.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Silver for Single Malt Whisky Wiener Malz, Apfel Edelbrand Holz and Wodka Reserve.