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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.

Diageo – From London to the whole world

Approximately 33,000 employees are employed worldwide at Diageo, the market leader in premium spirits, with Smirnoff (vodka), Johnnie Walker (whiskey), J&B (Scotch whiskey), Baileys (liqueur), Captain Morgan (rum), Cuervo (tequila) and Tanqueray (gin), Guinness beer and branded wines. Production takes place all around the world: from Great Britain and Ireland, Italy, Spain and Africa, to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, India and the Caribbean. The global corporation emerged in 1997 from the merger between Guinness and GrandMet. 180 markets around the world are handled from its London headquarters.

A lot of work and lots of attention to detail go into creating the in-depth product descriptions on Diageo’s website. Information and analysis is provided about issues ranging from detailed descriptions of the production down to the most minute ingredients. Finally, they are aware of the size of their company and also of their responsibilities as a supplier of alcoholic products. The name Diageo was also deliberately chosen – it represents their agenda. Put together from ‘dia’ (the Latin word for ‘day’) and ‘geo’ (the Greek word for ‘world’), it means that every day people are celebrating all over the world with products from their company. These products open up possibilities never dreamed of for special days and nights, marking special life events and even making the smaller things in life feel magical.

Participation in the World Spirits Award was magical: there was double gold for Tanqueray No. 10 (Spirit of the Year 2016), gold for Gordon’s London Dry Gin and Tanqueray London Dry Gin, as well as silver for Tanqueray Rangpur.

Casa Maestri: A long, loyal love of tequila

The Destiladora del Valle de Tequila was founded in the year 2000 by Michael and Celia Maestri, who come from families with deep roots in the Mexican tequila industry. Together, the couple have been involved in the production of tequila for over 70 years – perfect conditions for extra smooth tequila. The result of these efforts has resonated around the world. In addition, they produce for 90 other companies.

Casa Maestri was able to establish itself as the leading contract manufacturer of tequila in Mexico and the eleventh largest exporter within a relatively short time, despite the traditional main competitors. The flagship brand Reserva de MFM is a homage to the blue agave that is cultivated in the hills of Tequila, Jalisco. For this purpose, Michael Maestri conceived a special aroma and taste profile with the well-known Maestra Tequilera Ana Maria Romero.

Priority is given to agaves with a higher sugar content as a basis for higher alcohol production during the fermentation and an increase accordingly of the ester volumes as a basis for more taste. The removal of as many leaves as possible reduces the bitterness and ensures a purer aroma in the end product. The piñas are cooked for a long time in traditional ovens with thick stone walls, making the fibres softer and converting the complex starches into fermentable sugars. After hashing and grinding, the syrup is fermented freely in large tanks. The longer the process, the tangier and more aromatic the tequila is. It is distilled in 5,000-litre copper pot stills.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Blanco Casa Maestri Reserva de MFM, Reposado Casa Maestri Reserva de MFM and Añejo Casa Maestri Reserva de MFM.

Stiegenhaushof – A remarkable distillery

Johann Fankhauser, the great-grandfather of the present-day farm owner Martin, was a “Jack of all trades”. In addition to being the mayor and looking after the farm and animals, he also found time to build staircases for his neighbours – hence the name “Stiegenhäuserhof” (staircase farm). In those days, it wasn’t just apples, pears and damsons from the garden that were distilled, but also masterwort from the alpine pastures of the Ahorn area. Martin Fankhauser was a dairy farmer until 2005, who also kept sheep and chickens. After taking a distillation course, he produced his first Williams brandy and won silver in provincial competitions. That was the start of his distillation career: these days over 30 brandies and liqueurs from regional fruits are distilled in his modern licensed distillery.

As a real full-time farmer in the Zillertal Valley, Martin creates his brandies to perfection with passion and skill, and since March 2010 he also holds the title of ‘brandy sommelier’. In 2012 the cowshed was converted into a public-access distillery, with lots of room for tasting sessions, and a view into the sheep shed – after all, the master distiller is also an award-winning sheep farmer and has been breeding Tyrolean mountain sheep since 1996. Kathrin Fankhauser, mother and farmer with heart and soul, devotes herself to Zillertal Valley traditions on the farm, in the distillery and in the kitchen. Her specialities are the sweet liqueurs. “My grandmother took a lot of time to show us all about the preparation of the berries. We used to love the jams and jellies from cowberries, cranberries or red elder. This is how my passion for liqueurs came about, as they are full of fruity flavours down to the last drop.”

In everyday life, three generations live together in the traditional way – naturally and authentically. And this “authenticity” runs through the whole farm. The trademark of the products is the perfect mixture of tradition, region and passion. “Everything which is perfect in the eye or feelings of the beholder, is sexy. Why shouldn’t that also apply for brandies and liqueurs? Our schnapps is a real experience – really sexy. The tastes of the liqueurs capture the sweetness of life – really sweet.”

At the World Spirits Award, the Stiegenhaushof made a very strong showing: as a World Class Distillery 2014 with the title of “Distillery of the Year SILVER 2014”. The Yellow Williams Pear (Spirit of the Year 2014 & World Spirits Award 2014) and Red Williams Pear won double gold. There was gold for Muscat Grape, Fruit Schnapps Cuvée and Damson, and silver for Sloe.