World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

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.

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.

Edelbrandmanufaktur Wilhelm Marx – Luxurious products from Gut Bärenhof

Deep in the Bavarian Forest lies the idyllic farm belonging to the Marx family. Only founded in 2012, the fine brandy manufacturer was able to establish itself in the expert world within a very short space of time. Wilhelm Marx, qualified fine brandy sommelier, has concentrated on innovative products, without neglecting regional classics – which have, of course, been newly interpreted. This means that rather unusual ingredients, such as ginger and lemongrass, stand alongside local strawberries, dried pears and dandelion petals. The secret of their success is easily explained: passionate handicraft, meticulous procedure and the will to experiment.

As a passionate connoisseur, Wilhelm Marx, together with his wife Birgit, has achieved his dream: delicious distillates with natural ingredients, without flavourings, colourings or preservatives. Since August 2017, the products have been certified as ecological products and thus ‘ORGANIC’ according to the Council Regulation on organic production.

The Gut Bärenhof farm itself is a natural oasis, which could hardly be more beautiful. It provides ripe fruits such as quince, rosehip, sloe and elderberry, which are carefully processed by hand in small batches. Even the fresh ginger from Asia is peeled by hand and carefully processed.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Sicilian Organic Blood Orange, gold for Coffee Spirit and GIN BayernDry, silver for Organic Wild Raspberry, Hierbas del Bávaro Bosque, Blackcurrant, Elderberry, Organic Wild Blueberry, GIN infused by Elderflower, Espresso Liqueur and GINGERLIQ, and bronze for Artichoke Bitter and Genziana d‘Oro.

Rheinbrand: Exciting project and influential people

The initiator, Raphael Wyniger, is a passionate restaurateur and the first Swiss ‘Hotelier of the Year’. The company Rheinbrand Spirits GmbH complements his businesses in the Wyniger Group. The second member of the team is the wine academic Adrian Baumgartner. This wine and spirits expert had already been involved in the development of a gin. Production takes place following London Dry Gin procedures in the canton of Aargau, under the watchful eye of Ruedi Käser. He is one of the leading Swiss distillers, and his credo is to work by hand. Only small batches of 500 bottles are distilled at a time and are hand-bottled after the necessary resting period.

The ingredients are carefully selected, whereby regions along the River Rhine are integrated with their products – a perfect basis for spirits and an homage to the myths of the river. The water comes from the Rhine spring at Lake Tomasee in Grisons, the juniper and mountain herbs also come from Grisons, the cherries from the Basel region, the elderflowers from Alsace, the Riesling from Rheingau, and the sea salt from the region around Rotterdam. It is refined with lemon and lemongrass. The result is a gin with character and personality, and with harmonious botanicals thanks to great craftsmanship.

CBD hemp from Allschwil in the region is added to the distillate for Rheinbrand Gin Hemp Edition. This is available legally, has no effect on the nervous system and is not intoxicating, but rather has a calming effect. Meticulous tests and lots of patience were necessary, as finding the right mixture was a challenge. The light grassiness makes the gin an exciting element in the art of mixing. For Oak Aged Teufelhof Whisky, half of the volume was refined in a 128-litre Madeira barrel for four months.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Rheinbrand Dry Gin Hemp Edition and Oak Aged Teufelhof Whisky – Madeira finish, and Silver for Rheinbrand Dry Gin.