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Roust Hungary: Affordable luxury on the spirits market

Roust was founded in 1992 by the Russian businessman Roustam Tariko and quickly developed into a leading business group in the sale of premium spirits brands. One of the world’s leading vodka producers, the company is present in more than 80 countries. Roust owns production plants and distribution centres in Hungary, Russia and Italy. The comprehensive portfolio includes the flagship vodka brands of Russian Standard, Green Mark, Parliament and Zhuravli.

Thanks to its extensive knowledge in sales and marketing and its commitment to responsible alcohol consumption, Roust Hungary has become the leading supplier on the domestic spirits market. The largest premium spirits company in Hungary also sells the Royal, Zubrówka, Russian Standard, Gancia, Grants, Jägermeister and Metaxa brands.

For years, Royal Vodka has maintained its position as the most popular and well-known vodka brand in Hungary, and also remains market leader in terms of volume and turnover. Royal Vodka is produced using natural ingredients, from the grain to the well water, which contributes to its mild taste.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Royal Original Vodka, and bronze for Royal Raspberry Liqueur.

Schwarze & Schlichte – Brand personalities from Westphalia

The family business Schwarze & Schlichte from Westphalia has been representing the highest quality spirits for the last 345 years with a distinct range of national specialities, regional traditional brands and successful international innovations. This top quality is based on a distilling tradition acquired over centuries which has been passed down over twelve generations. Even today, distilling and maceration still take place at the company’s own distillery where plenty of time and skill are invested. The selection and processing of the best raw materials and continuous control of the production process ensure a consistently high quality. One factor for success is the ongoing brand management in accordance with the specific requirements of the various brand personalities.

Three Sixty Vodka is one of the purest and mildest vodkas in the world. A fourfold distillation process ensures tangible softness and exceptional clarity while the purity of the vodka is all down to the time-consuming “Diamond Filtration” process: the finest filters are used, set with crystals like diamond dust, to remove even the smallest of suspended particles from the distillate. Even the packaging is unique: the facet-cut bottle of pure white shiny glass sets off this premium vodka to perfection. A black velvet label completes the sophisticated design.

The Grappa Bianca from Scavi & Ray is characterised by its full-bodied balanced flavour with powerful and intense aromas of marc. This crystal-clear brandy is soft and deliciously balanced thanks to the exquisite skill of the master distillery. The intense and fruity aroma is reminiscent of the sun-soaked vineyards in Italy.

Both products received a silver medal at the World-Spirits.

Donau Origin: Gins from Bavaria with symbolic power

The young gin manufacturing enterprise in Oberhausen on the Danube defines itself thus: “We have made it our mission to reflect the way of life of our beautiful Bavarian homeland in expressive gins. Regionality, sustainability and the highest quality are just as important as honest, solid manual labour. These values are also reflected in the company logo. The three waves stand for the gins, the four fields for the founders and the shape for a glance into the pot still. The Danube is the source of our origins.”

After preparing for a good two years, at the beginning of 2021 an old machinery hall with an adjoining gravel area was turned into a distillery with a garden, local fruit trees and a meadow with two populations of bees. Everything is produced by hand at a slow pace and with attention to detail. “Pumps and plastic are banned entirely.” During the maceration of the botanicals, they work according to secret recipes, only using organically certified raw ingredients. Distilling is gentle on the aromas in a 200-litre still, then the distillates rest for over three months in a stainless-steel barrel.

The drinking strength is 42 volume percent, “because apart from the perfect ratio of aroma, texture and strength, it is also the answer to the question of life, the universe and all the rest.” Those who would like to find out more should read Douglas Adams’ cult novel ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’. After maturation, the gins are filtered by means of gravity and given a last quality check before they are filled and sealed in bottles with a high-quality design.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to MORGENtau, and bronze to SOMMERwind and FICHTENgold.

Miguel Torres: A family empire with a special commitment

Juan Torres Master Distillers is the business division of the Torres family (their roots can be traced back to the 17th century), which has devoted itself to the production of high-quality spirits. The origins date back to 1928, when Juan Torres Casals from the second generation of the family began making brandies from white wines from the Penedès region to the southwest of Barcelona.

With 90 years of experience, the art of distillation is constantly being developed at Torres. The product range includes brandy, pisco, orange liqueur and tequila, which are sold under the brand names Torres Brandy, El Gobernador, Magdala and Rocado.

The company is now in its fifth generation, employs more than 1,300 people in total and is available in more than 150 countries around the world. Wine bars in Shanghai, Barcelona and Santiago de Chile, as well as an impressive social media presence, demonstrate their international commitment. Their employees are their ‘primary asset’ and take top rank in their list of corporate values. Ecology also has a significant value, and CO2 emissions per bottle have been reduced by 30% since 2008. Fair trade is a must, with the goal of maximum fairness, based on transparency and respect. As part of the family foundation, the family has cooperated with more than 400 projects around the world since the mid-1980s – with the protection of children as the main focus.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for El Pisco Gobernador Reservado (Moscatel), and silver for Torres 15 Reservada Privada and Magdala (Orange Liqueur).