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Maison Ferrand – A commitment to tradition in more than 60 countries

In 1989, entrepreneur Alexandre Gabriel met the Pierre Ferrand family, one of the oldest cognac-producing families in France. His vision was to produce cognac following traditional methods, with a personal stamp, to emphasise the character of the Grande Champagne region and create a Premier Cru de Cognac. Tradition and passion, excellent locations, professional distillation, precise storage and careful blending set new standards for traditional products.

“A great cognac should reflect its terroir. Above all, good healthy grapes from the best vineyards are needed. Then the wines are carefully distilled on the yeast, and the brandy is left to mature in old barrels for many years. There are no short cuts, but it makes such a heavenly difference and the result tastes so much better that it is worth the effort! At MAISON FERRAND, there has always been a commitment to this level of diligence and patience.”

The production location is the Château de Bonbonnet in Ars, in the department of Charente, in the middle of the vineyards. In the cellars, the various spirits are stored in cognac, port wine, whisky, sauternes or calvados barrels. This ancient ‘double ageing’ procedure yields outstanding quality. Cognac is distilled in winter in ten small copper stills (maximum 25 hl). The characteristic gin is distilled in spring, the rum varieties of the Plantation brand name, which play an important role, come from the Caribbean.

Maison Ferrand is co-owner of the Domaine Logis d’Angeac, a traditional distillery dating back to 1776. It also includes 110 hectares of vineyards at the heart of the Grande Champagne region.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Pierre Ferrand Ambré, Cognac Ferrand 10 Générations, Citadelle No Mistake Old Tom Gin and Plantation Original Dark.

Mey Diageo: Lion’s milk from Turkey

Raki is a typical Anatolian product with a manufacturing process specific to Turkey. The ingredients (grapes, raisins and aniseed from Anatolia) are distilled in traditional copper vats (maximum 5,000 litres), followed by at least one month of maturing in tanks or oak casks. The aniseed adds an unmistakable fragrance and creates the ‘white cloud’ when it is diluted with water – hence the fitting name ‘lion’s milk’. Raki has been trademarked due to its geographical origin since 2009.

Mey Diageo (with more than 30,000 members of staff in 180 countries) has a wide selection of brands that represent a culture of 500 years. These include Yeni Raki, Tekirdag Rakisi, Kulüp Raki, Altinbas Raki and Izmir Raki, and it exports to more than 30 countries. Yeni Raki has been produced since 1937 and is the ‘World’s Number 1 Raki Brand’ (IWSR 2020 with regard to volume). Since 2019, new recipes have been developed in ‘miniature’ pot stills (1/10 of the normal size) at a production site in Alasehir. The first product developed in this way is Yeni Raki Uzun Demleme (Long Distilled), and the second innovation is Yeni Raki Giz, inspired by whisky at cask strength (68%).

Raki is usually served in tall, thin glasses. Connoisseurs use an ‘Ehl-i keyf’ which simply means ‘bon vivant’. The glass is cooled in a cylindrical copper vessel and the outer edge is then filled with water and frozen before serving. Serefe!

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kulup Raki Deluks SoY 2024, and gold for Yeni Raki Ala.

Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa

Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.

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.