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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.

88 WOB-Punkte – Takamaka Dark Rum 2008 - Silver
Takamaka Bay - Trois Freres Distillery, MU- Victoria, Mahe, www.takamaka.sc
Duft: Starke Rumester-Nase, Banane, Mango, Orangenschalen, Limetten, Vanille, Gewürznelken, teerig-lackiges Holz. Geschmack: Ausgeprägtes Rumaroma, High-Ester-Textur, exotischer Touch, Ananas, Kokos, Karamell, Chili-Pfeffer-Würze, leicht ledrig, etwas bitter-röstig, kompakt, langer Abgang. Inhalt: 750 ml, Preis: Auf Anfrage EUR

5020 Gin: Bottled Life – Handcrafted in Salzburg.

In the heart of the city of Salzburg, at Rainberg 5, there is a farmhouse which was built in 1671. In these historical surroundings, the 5020 London Dry Gin is produced in small batches. The centrepiece is the small distilling room, where all the stages are carried out by hand and where the gin is gently distilled in a 100-litre copper vat. The distilling process alone takes between 24 and 26 hours, and only takes place in small batches of 75 to 80 bottles – following the motto ‘back to the roots’ in the beautiful city of Salzburg with the postcode 5020. And on the subject of the roots of gin, London Dry Gin is made exclusively of natural ingredients which are processed in their most original form. 5020 Gin uses 23 organically cultivated botanicals. By hanging an aroma basket directly in the still, the hand-selected essences can develop their aroma perfectly. The gentle increase in temperature, constant inspections and four weeks of storage in glass demijohns perfect its quality.

Stephan Koudelka taught himself all about gin distillation over many years, accompanied by disappointments and setbacks. Perseverance, meticulousness and passion were his partners on the path to his unique recipe. Care in the selection of ingredients, patience during the distillation process and a love for detail characterise the distiller. All the way to the features of the characteristic bottle, you can see that, in this small craft distillery with its special charm, quality is valued highly, and this was rewarded with silver at the World Spirits Award.