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Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.

Stock Spirits: Tradition, origin and innovative strength

Stock Spirits is one of the leading spirits producers in Europe and offers a high-quality portfolio, connected to its local and regional heritage. Italy is one of the most diverse countries for spirits. From Alpine herbal bitters to Mediterranean citrus distillates, from traditional grappa to modern craft spirits: Italian spirits are known for craftsmanship, regional identity and sensory depth.

Stock Spirits pick up on this heritage. They are based on classic raw materials such as grapes, pomace, herbs, roots, citrus peel and spices, all deeply rooted in the respective regions. Production often follows traditional methods such as discontinuous distillation, slow maceration or natural flavouring, supplemented by contemporary quality standards and precise sensory analysis.

Typical of Italian spirits is their connection to the culinary world: in addition to the variety of aperitifs and digestifs, they are an indispensable part of the eating and drinking culture. Bitter, sweet, spicy or floral – the broad spectrum ranges from clearly structured basic spirits to complex aroma compositions for bar culture and upscale gastronomy.

Stock Spirits offer a broad basis for retail, bars and further processing: consistent quality, a clear profile and versatile in use. They combine Italian origin with international connectivity – whether as the basis for liqueurs, cocktails, modern interpretations of classic recipes or innovative indulgence concepts. With their focus on authenticity, the quality of their raw materials and precision craftsmanship, they exemplify a spirits culture that respects the past and shapes the future.

Limoncè Aperitivo won Silver at the World Spirits Award.

Ostoya: Polish vodka for the world

Ostoya is part of the portfolio of Wyborowa Pernod Ricard S.A. The name Wyborowa can be translated as ‘selected’ and is a symbol for a product that over decades has set the standard of how a high-quality rye vodka should taste.

Ostoya was the first wheat vodka produced in Poland. The spirit is made from fine grains grown in Bieszczady, one of Poland’s most pristine regions. Amidst the clear streams and beautiful meadows of the highlands, everything runs to the rhythm of nature. It is a refuge of wilderness and raw nature, where time seems to stand still. Here you can breathe deeply, away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. At the Pernod Ricard production plant in Zielona Góra, the products are distilled and carbon-filtered for exceptional purity in rectification plants in Poznan. This premium vodka is 100 percent Polish, from the grain to the glass. The design of the bottle is striking, inspired by the Bieszczady region, which also determines the origin of the wheat used. It is often sold in 700 ml bottles, but there are also larger formats, for example 1.75 litres, with atmospheric lighting.

Ostoya Vodka won Gold at the World Spirits Award.