World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Gin of Hearts: Social project as a homage to Ghana

The former German national football team player Gerald Asamoah launched a gin project in autumn 2021 along with Michaela Habbel and his friends Timo Marner and Jens Conrad. The name Gin FOURTEEN is a reference to Gerald’s jersey number 14, which has a great significance for him. Due to his professional career, especially at FC Schalke and as a football manager, Gerald Asamoah feels a close bond with the Ruhr region. He wasn’t actually a gin drinker, but he came into contact with the subject through a thank-you project for donations to his foundation for children with heart conditions. The foundations of Gin FOURTEEN were laid back then and positive feedback led to the idea of making it accessible to a wider public.

The production avoids artificial aromas and additives, using ingredients from responsible and sustainable cultivation. Mango and papaya are typical fruits for Gerald Asamoah’s home country of Ghana – the gin is a homage to his homeland and Africa. It is made at the Heinrich Habbel Distillery in the southern Ruhr region. Every bottle supports social projects, including the ‘my Boo Ghana School e.V.’, which enables children in the Ashanti region to attend school and was created by staff at my Boo GmbH, which along with the Yonso Project in Ghana makes bamboo bicycles in Ghana and Kiel.

Pernod Ricard: 200 years of Beefeater

Pernod Ricard was founded in 1975 through the merger of Ricard and Pernod and has developed steadily through organic growth and acquisitions. One of the most renowned portfolios in the sector is present on over 70 markets worldwide – including 19 brands among the world’s top 100.

Beefeater is the most prize-winning gin brand and the only classic gin that is distilled in London. The first seat of the brand, the Chelsea Distillery, was built in 1820 and bought in 1863 by James Burrough. The first Dry Gin in the London style was made there, and became known worldwide as Beefeater. The recipe has remained practically unchanged to this day, tried and tested by the master distiller Desmond Payne. Beefeater Dry is the world’s leading premium gin, Beefeater 24 is a super premium gin with Japanese and Chinese teas catering to the trends of contemporary cocktail culture. The range is rounded off by Beefeater Pink Strawberry, Beefeater Blood Orange and Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve, a handmade gin from an oak barrel.

The new bottle design – timeless and high-quality – evokes historical London brick. It brings together established and modern elements, as well as sustainability: the bottle is 100% recyclable, the plastic top is replaced by an aluminium cap, saving 410 tons of plastic a year.

Gold was awarded to Beefeater 24 and silver to Beefeater London Dry at the World Spirits Award.

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.