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Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.

Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.

Semper idem Underberg: A successful recipe with its own brands

The Underberg company is based in Rheinberg in North Rhine-Westphalia and has a history dating back more than 175 years – a unique success story among German companies and brands. Hubert Underberg (I) founded the company H. Underberg-Albrecht with his wife, Catharina Albrecht, on 17 June 1846 – their wedding day. This spawned an internationally active company group which is now a premium supplier of drinks brands in various market segments of the industry.

The one-product company was developed into a brand-oriented drinks business under the direction of Emil Underberg (II) with a sales volume of more than 300 million euros annually (2011). The Underberg companies employ over 400 staff worldwide. On average, more than every fourth bottle of the six biggest brands (Underberg, Asbach, PITÚ, XUXU, Grasovka and Riemerschmid) is sold outside of Germany.

Dr. Paul Underberg, the grandson of the company’s founder, was very cosmopolitan and had a natural passion for foreign cultures. He was particularly fascinated by the healing power of plants from the Amazon region. In 1933, he settled in Rio de Janeiro and started the production of ‘Underberg do Brasil’, which soon became Brazilian high society’s preferred drink.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Bio Underberg (World Spirits Award 2022 & Spirit of the Year 2022), and gold for Underberg.

Casamigos Tequila – Perfect planning and implementation

Casamigos Tequila is a small range of premium tequila, produced 100% from agaves, which grow in the red clay soil in the cool climate of the highlands of Jalisco in Mexico. This ‘Blue Agave’ – botanical name ‘Agave tequilana F.A.C. Weber’ – belongs to the asparagus family or subfamily of the agave plants. After a maturation period of around eight to ten years, the ‘heart’ of the plant weighs between 50 and 70 kilograms and is known as ‘piña’. Once the roots and leaves have been removed it looks like a huge pineapple.

These raw materials are cooked for 72 hours in the traditional stone ovens, which is much longer than with conventional tequila. The juice that is won during saccharification is very slowly fermented with its own yeasts for about 80 hours, which is twice as long as the industrial standard. It is distilled in traditional copper pot stills, then the Blanco is stored for two months, the Reposado for seven months and the Añejo for 14 months in the best American oak barrels.

The exceptional product was first presented to the public in Miami Beach, Florida, in January 2013 by its ‘discoverers’, George Clooney and Rande Gerber, whose signatures are on the label. Their statement: “Our idea was to make the best-tasting, smoothest tequila around. So we did.”

The jury at the World Spirits Award agreed with this statement and presented double gold three times: for Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Casamigos Reposado Tequila and Casamigos Añejo Tequila.