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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.

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.

Cervejaria Backer: Innovation from Brazil

The Backer Brewery was founded in 1999 by the Lebbos brothers near Serra do Curral in the southeast of Brazil and now has 80 employees. With 25 bottled beer varieties, every month 800,000 litres are produced, according to company director, Paula Lebbos. The focus is currently on starting out in the world of whiskey, something she was introduced to at Jack Daniel’s in the USA in 2010. This prompted the desire to make their own whisky. As in the past, when there was a market niche for craft beer, the possibility of filling a niche for single malt also became evident here.

The company also owns a bar in the capital city, Belo Horizonte: Templo Cervejeiro. As well as their beer portfolio, the two innovative spirits, whiskey and gin, are also offered. 3 Lobos Whiskey Artesanal Experience is distilled in specially manufactured copper stills following Scottish tradition, with malted barley – which is also used in some beers as brewing malt – and matures for five years in American oak barrels (Jim Beam Bourbon). For the first batch, more than 5,000 numbered bottles were filled. Lebbos Hop Dry Gin combines traditional botanicals such as juniper and angelica root with the essence of craft beer: hops. Its lightness and freshness make this gin a real pleasure to drink, especially in a gin & tonic.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to 3 Lobos Whiskey and Lebbos Hop Dry Gin.

WOB Destillerie Wolfram Ortner: 37 Years of Perfection in Taste & Design

This ‘crazy idea’ was launched in 1989 with the premiere of a diva dressed in raspberry-red. Wolfram Ortner has always been committed to fine fruit distillates and has produced them to uncompromising perfection. His penchant for wines matured in wooden barrels led to his first apple brandy being matured in French Limousin oak barrels in 1990. In 2000, apples from the Lavant Valley were stored in Allier, Limousin, Never and Trançais barrels. The first whiskies were produced in 1996, and in 2016 the series of six special rums, fermented with different yeasts and bottled from approx. 40% vol. to cask strength, was launched.

The handling of wood has been perfected over more than three decades, using different types of oak and degrees of toasting. Since 2013, the barrels are no longer toasted, but the wood has been heavily charred. This required significantly longer storage times for the products: Hefe 2014 (yeast) and Apfel 2015 (apple) were bottled at cask strength in 2024, while the Dark 1 and Dark 5 rums were also bottled after around ten years. 2013 also saw the start of the exciting development of recipes for ‘drugs’ made from dried herbs and spices.

On 25 November 2019, there was an explosion at the distillery, and it was not rebuilt. In spring 2024, the last barrels were emptied, twelve products were bottled and the stylish ‘FAP’ line (brandy, rum and whisky) was created. Two apple-wood brandies and a wine yeast-wood product were the fiery finale with the name ‘Omega’. Ortner’s passion hasn’t ended yet, as there are plenty of WOB Spirits in stock, available in the store and at www.wob.at.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for KGB Kräuter-Gewürz Bitter - a true classic in the bitters category.