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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.

Tradition Mexico – Tequila without compromises

The friends behind Padre azul, the new tequila in the premium segment, stand united on one matter: their passion for Mexico. “We appreciate high quality tequila, and with Padre azul we are bringing an exclusive product to Europe. We searched for the perfect distillery for a long time. At Tres Mujeres in Jalisco in the highlands of Mexico we found what we were looking for.” 100% Mexico – 100% handcraft – 100% agave.

These requirements and quality criteria apply to the whole production process, which is why each bottle also wears the sought-after quality seal from the Mexican authorities, “Consejo Regulador del Tequila” (CRT). There were no compromises when it came to the design of the bottles: they are made by hand and adorned with a 270g skull which represents the skull culture of Mexico.

Padre azul is available in three grades of maturity, depending on the length of storage. The Añejo usually spends eighteen months in French oak barrels to achieve a mature, full-bodied taste. The Reposado needs at least eight months in barrels for its subtle vanilla tone. The Blanco is a clear tequila which is bottled straight after distillation – it is soft and mild in taste. None of the three need salt or lemon – you can enjoy them neat. True to the motto: no compromises.

At the World Spirits Award, the trio was very successful: there was double gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul anejo, gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul reposado, and silver for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul blanco.

Hauser Tradition – Essences from the mountains of the Tyrol

For more than 300 years, ripe fruits, berries and roots have been distilled in the Alps into clear distillates “to capture the breath of the Tyrolean mountains and the essence of natural orchards to produce the finest schnapps”. The roots of this tradition lie in small distilleries, such as the one owned by the Josef Hauser family in the Tyrolean valley of Leukental.

Based on this tradition, a comprehensive range of spirits is produced under the “Hauser Tradition” brand name in Lustenau, Vorarlberg, which stand out with their mild and agreeable nature. Spicy and aromatic, like the fragrance of a meadow, and as light as mountain air – this is what characterises Hauser schnapps.

Fruit spirits are gaining more and more importance in the hospitality trade, with the focus on regional and seasonal products and following the culinary trend of traditional values. In addition to connoisseurs who are very demanding, numerous enthusiasts and prospective customers also appreciate the quality of a good schnapps. At the same time, the prejudice that great quality can only come from small companies needs to be eradicated. The distilling of fruit into a perfect product is a professional trade which has nothing to do with romanticism, but is based on the combination of the latest technology with the experience and intuition of the craftsmen.

Hauser came out on top at the World Spirits Award with classification as a World Class Distillery 2012 and Distillery of the Year Silver in OBS. There was a gold for the rowanberry, Williams pear, apricot, hazelnut, gentian and cherry and silver for the Obstler fruit brandy and raspberry.

Finest Beverages: Huckleberry Gin – A homage to friendship

For more than 30 years, the experienced master distiller has run the family business in the Black For-est, now in its third generation. Behind the brand he is joined by Max and Jens, two beverage retailers from Munich. At every bottling they are all present, and each bottle passes through their hands. As well as being helping hands, this quality control is very important as the ‘fruits of their labour’ are sent out to friends in the furthest corners of the world.

The gin is a homage to their friendship and is distilled lovingly and peacefully using 22 botanicals. The name Huckleberry – another word for blueberry – reveals an important ingredient. Added to this is the typical flavour of juniper berries, but also angelica root, coriander seeds, ginger root, a little cin-namon and a hint of lavender. To make the gin fruitier, lemon peel, elderflower, hop blossom, pep-permint and raspberry are added. It is triple distilled and, as the last step, fresh raspberries and blue-berries are added, which give the gin its special berry flavour. The blueberry fragrance spreads throughout the room as it is distilled and bottled. And, at the end of a hard day’s work, everyone drinks to friendship.

At the World Spirits Award, there was bronze for Huckleberry Gin.