World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

CCU: Pisco from Chile

Compañía Cervecerías Unidas (CCU) is a company with a wide reach, that is primarily active in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia. Since its foundation in 1902, CCU has developed into an important player in the drinks world, especially in the categories of soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails and spirits. The latter are distributed through Compañía Pisquera de Chile (CPCH). CPCH was formed in March 2005 from the merging of CCU and Cooperativa Agricola Control Pisquero Elqui Y Limari (CONTROL). This new company combines the strength and comprehensive knowledge of Pisco Control and is reinforced further by the CCU distribution and brand development capacity. CPCH boasts an impressive portfolio with various brand products, such as Pisco Mistral, Tres Erres, Control C, Campanario, Gin Kantal and others. The company is present in more than 15 countries worldwide, although the focus is on the USA, Chile, Germany and Argentina.

The production of piscos and other distillates is concentrated primarily on five valleys spanning two regions: the Copiapó and Huasco Valleys in the Atacama region, and the Elqui, Limari and Choapa Valleys in the Coquimbo region. These areas are characterised by a semi-arid climate with nine to ten dry months, plenty of sunshine and high summer temperatures. Together with the clear sky and the large temperature difference between day and night, this contributes to grape maturity with a high sugar content.

Gin Kantal won silver at the World Spirits Award.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.

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.