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Cologne Spirits: Cheers from Cologne!

The team at Gin de Cologne is actually a traditional promotion agency. They are all from Cologne and true gin enthusiasts. Concepts are developed for parties and festivals, in clubs and at points of sale. Managing Direc-tor Abbass Khatami had the idea of producing a gin in 2017. Whatever he does, he does with passion – and the rest is a story of success. Following intensive preparation and in coordination with experienced distillers, in November 2017 the first product was launched: Gin de Cologne. Made in Cologne, but not just for the people of Cologne, as this delicious treat was to be distributed around the world.

For 20 years, the agency has also represented big brand names in the spirit world (Captain Morgan, Baileys, Aperol, Ouzo 12, etc.), and so the team know how to market a product effectively and to the right target group. By a variety of means, including tastings at trade fairs, an impressive level of recognition has been reached and Gin de Cologne has been established as a new brand. It can also be seen on large billboards as the agency won the 18/1 Award 2018 with the slogan ‘Alle guten Dinge sind dry’ (‘All good things are dry’).

Aside from good marketing and a good story, the product also has to be right. In this case the concept is to appeal to everybody. Twelve botanicals – including lime, lemon and orange peel, hibiscus, lavender and, of course, juniper – provide the London Dry Gin with fine nuances which tickle the taste buds of gin rookies and connoisseurs alike.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Gin de Cologne.

Cognac Tesseron – A continuation of tradition

Châteauneuf-sur-Charente is home to a real treasure: a collection of rare cognacs from the 19th century. The company was founded in 1905 by Abel Tesseron with one site in Grande Champagne (Boneuil) and another in Petite Champagne (Saint-Surin). Today, the company tradition is continued by Alfred Tesseron, the third generation manager who has deep roots in cognac-making. He grew up in France and worked in America before making Château Pontet-Canetone of the most successful Grands Crus in the Médoc region.

Henri Colcombet, the director of the company, has been developing luxury brands within a competitive field for the last 15 years. His passion for top products and his instinct for premium marketing are key elements in the success of this family business. Melanie Tesseron (4th generation) is the International Brand Manager and adds a touch of feminine flair to this world of cognac. She is highly skilled in communications. The company’s VIP customers include Harrods, Lafayette Gourmet, Globus Switzerland, Dallmayr Germany and Sherry Lehman NY.

The traditional grape varieties grow in the company’s own vineyards. The grapes are harvested early to produce an acidic base wine of just 8 % vol. alcohol. Distilling takes place from 1 October to 31 March of the following year. The maturation process takes place in cool, damp 13th century cellars which were once the crypt of the local church. The young “eaux-de-vie” are stored in limousine oak barrels before the “Maître de Chai” composes a delicate blend using three varieties: Ugni Blanc for a rounded tone, Folle Blanche for finesse and Colombard for depth.

The company secured three golds at the World Spirits Award: for Lot N° 76 XO Tradition, Lot N° 53 XO Perfection and Lot N° 29 XO Exception, of which there are only 3,000 bottles worldwide.

Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.

Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.