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Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.

Bimmerle: Know-how meets regionality and trend awareness

At the production site in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, this family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with focussed know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all the heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.

In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand. In order to make the ‘playground’ more interesting, the brand identity was modernised in 2024 and will be extended in 2025 by a fruit brandy range matured in wooden casks. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with WOOD STORK Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022. The Black Forest distillery has enriched the liqueur and aperitif market with as many as five exciting creations under the DON PASQUALE brand.

The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Gold for Don Pasquale Limoncello Liqueur, Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Wood Stork Spiced Rum, Lörch Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör (vanilla cream liqueur), Needle Gin Green, Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Liqueur, Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Liqueur, Don Pasquale Hazelnut Liqueur and Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör (Linzer tart cream liqueur). Silver was awarded to Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin, Needle Gin Rosé, Don Pasquale Pistachio Cream Liqueur, Lörch Bratapfel Sahnelikör (baked apple cream liqueur), Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (pear spirit aged in a wooden cask) and Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (apricot spirit aged in a wooden cask), and Bronze to Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (fruit spirit aged in a wooden cask).

Tamborine Mountain Distillery – Original from the original

Visitors to the distillery owned by Michael and Alla Ward can explore this colourful and perhaps somewhat crazy world. The couple moved from Tasmania to Queensland in 1992 where they purchased 1.3 hectares of land in the backcountry of the Gold Coast, fascinated by the diversity of fruit growing here. Since they didn’t use any chemical sprays, the harvested fruits did not correspond to market requirements. So what to do with the large volume of fruit produced? Soon the solution was found: ferment and distil it!

Australia’s smallest pot still distillery has since achieved fame across the world: in Europe as well as the USA and Asia. The manufacture offers a very diverse programme of dozens of products: imaginative liqueur creations, fruit brandies, absinthe, aquavit, bitter, gin, grappa, pastis, rum, vodka and much more. Word of mouth and a media presence have ensured that the small yet refined company has become widely renowned, winning hundreds of international rewards.

Three ingredients determine the success of these sparkling personalities of the spirits world (in addition to passion and zest for life, of course): red volcanic soil, opulent fruits and fresh spring water. The distillation is carried out through the traditional method in small copper stills – with a small degree of technical improvisation. The equipment used is unique: the bottles are imported from Italy and France and hand-painted by Alla Ward. Her Russian background is reflected in this colourful artwork which combines to form a striking puzzle on the well-stacked shelves.

Some new products were presented at the World Spirits Award from the company’s colourful range and with great success: there was gold for the aquavit, silver for the Slivovitz (damson) and Bucku Whisky Liqueur, and bronze for the grappa.

Feindestillerie STELZL – Aromatic diversity from southern Styria

The Stelzl family estate was mentioned in the chronicles of the southern Styrian village of St. Johann im Saggautal as long ago as the 17th century. Since 1842 the family – now already in the sixth generation – has been engaged in wine and fruit-growing and farming on nearby Mount Eichberg. The area is also referred to as the ‘gateway to southern Styria’s vineyards’ and has a favourable climate, especially in spring and autumn.

Franz Stelzl is proud to have been able to offer his customers first-class, high-quality products for decades. Sun-ripened fruits from the region lay the foundation for the production of these high-quality fine brandies and liqueurs. The distillery offers three categories: In the foreground there are aquavits for grappa lovers (crystal-clear or barrel-matured pomace brandy, but also fruity and spicy spirit variations with strawberries, sour cherries, almonds or herbs). For cognac lovers there is a matured brandy from the barrique, and for lovers of fruit distillates there are double-distilled spirits from apricot, Williams pear and garden damson, as well as the classic fruit brandies from apple and pear. The icing on the cake is a Kranewitter (juniper schnapps for gin fans) in the old Styrian style.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Acquavite Chardonnay Trester, and silver for Acquavite Gelber Muskateller Trester.