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Destilería Serrallés

Puerto Rico is world-famous for excellent rum, and one of the oldest family-run businesses with a perfect grasp of traditional craftsmanship is the Destilería Serrallés, founded in 1865. The beginning of their success story, however, lies even further back, as the family, originally from Catalonia, had already settled near the town of Ponce on the southern coast of the island in the 1830s. Their ‘Hacienda Mercedita’ became a proper town with workers’ settlements and its own railway – and a major exporter of cane sugar. The first barrels of rum were produced by Juan Serrallés with a copper pot still which he had imported from France.

These days the production process is a multiple distillation system with activated carbon filtration as a basis for clear, pure rum. Storage and maturation of the rum takes place in American oak barrels. The careful compilation of the blend is based on recipes passed down through the Serrallés family and perfected over six generations. The result is a portfolio of authentic rums from the region, with the flagship Don Q, the best-selling rum on the island. Incidentally, Don Q stands for Don Quijote, whose picture is on the bottles.

The World Class Distillery 2019 received gold for Don Q Añejo, Don Q Gran Añejo, Don Q Gold, Don Q Cristal Rum, Don Q Coco Rum, Don Q Pina, Don Q Double Aged Vermouth Cask Finish Rum, and silver for Don Q Oak Barrel aged Spiced Rum.

Nolet Distillery: Traditional Dutch company

In the heart of Schiedam you will find one of the oldest family businesses in the Netherlands, founded in 1691 and still being run by its twelfth generation today. Genever is traditionally produced in the ‘spirit capital’. This ‘malty gin ancestor’ was originally produced as a medicine as long ago as the 16th century. To refine the barley spirit, the apothecaries used large amounts of juniper. While gin is usually made with a mixture of botanicals, genever is based on grain (malt barley, rye and corn) with juniper. The company’s classic is Ketel 1 Original, a fresh, smooth genever, popular as a ‘KopStoot’ with a glass of beer, and also in cocktails. Ketel 1 Rum Cask Finish is characterised by maturation in oak casks, complemented by the spicy notes of aniseed, juniper and vanilla.

The family archives contain fascinating information about many products. Hundreds of old letters bear witness to the company’s shipments to customers all over the world, and a stash of old postcards and documents are records of the family’s travels. Inspired by this theme and based on a recipe from one of those postcards, the limited edition blend was created as the launch product of a ‘Signature Blend World Collection’. Unlike the usual whisky cask variants, the rum cask was chosen. The decision was made to partner with the world-renowned Amsterdam-based company E & A Scheer, which has specialised in sourcing and blending rum for over three centuries. It will be interesting to see how the Rum Cask Finish variant in the Ketel 1 portfolio appeals not only to genever fans but also to lovers of rum, whisky and other spirits.

Gold at the World Spirits Award was awarded to Ketel 1 Signature Blend Rum Cask Finish.

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.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.