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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.

Kweichow Moutai: China’s ‘national schnapps’ on the rise

Baijiu is the most popular alcoholic drink in China and Moutai the most famous brand, with a similar status to vodka in Russia or tequila in Mexico. Its origins go back over 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Wu of Han. These days, the national drink is frequently served at official state banquets and is used as the official state gift. Its protected source is the village of Maotai in the Guizhou province on the banks of the Chishui, the Red River. These days, more than 30,000 tons of the 53 percent alcohol Moutai are produced. In cooperation with Camus, a limited edition was launched as an homage to the greatest poets: after Li Bai in 2013, Du Fu followed in 2018. The elegant bottle showing a painting of a poem is made from the finest porcelain.

Traditional methods are used for the distillation of regional raw materials: organic sorghum and wheat and the best water. Fermentation takes place at high temperatures. During the production process, which takes a year, fresh grain is added twice to the boilers, then several boiling and fermentation processes take place. Every batch of the distillate is separated according to age, production cycle and aroma. It then matures slowly in terracotta containers and, during the storage period of at least five years, develops a fine soya aroma. Master blenders make sure that the characteristic, full flavour is preserved. The secret lies in the humid climate, the water from the Chishui, as well as in the distillation technique and maturing period.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kweichou Moutai Du Fu Edition.

OKEN: First fine brandy made from acorns

OKEN is a true original. The first fine brandy made from acorns is a finely filtered, regional spirit made with 100% natural ingredients without additives. It was three friends from the Ostetal Valley in Sittensen in Lower Saxony who came up with the idea. Their fascination with the topic of how many fruits and plants can be used to make alcohol gave rise to the exciting question: “How about oak? The characteristic tree of the northern German landscape. In the past, coffee and bread were made from acorns, so why not a fine spirit today?”

It took the three inventors Niklas Haller, Michael Frankenbach and Leonard Spreckels three years. What started in a little pot in grandma’s kitchen improved constantly over time, until they were sure they had found the right recipe. But this was where the actual work started before launching the first acorn schnapps on the market in summer 2020. Sales began as a crowdfunding campaign on the start-up platform Startnext and was immediately well-received. In the meantime, OKEN is available in selected regional shops and gastronomic establishments in northern Germany.

100% natural ingredients and authentic manual work give OKEN its individual character: hints of fruit from sweet Mirabelle plums and a grainy taste evocative of light wood, a pleasantly warm sensation in the mouth, accompanied by a gentle pinch of peppermint. Served at room temperature, it is a fine digestif. OKEN is also available in a small 10 cl bottle for sampling.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to the spirit made from acorns.

BY38 Gin: Handcrafted from a legendary plant

Birgit Gehrmann is a supplier of high-quality distillates far beyond Germany. Her premium dry gin is characterised by the use of Peruvian maca root, a natural aphrodisiac according to Inca legend. Today, maca is available in powder form as a dietary supplement which is said to reduce stress, increase energy, improve mood and more. The plant, also known as Peru ginseng, grows under extreme climatic conditions in the Peruvian Andes at altitudes of around 3,000 metres. The Q’ero, the last descendants of the Incas, also live there. Maca is said to have been used thousands of years ago as a fortifying food and a health remedy.

Sensory experts, bartenders and market researchers were involved in the development of the gin. It is produced in the Black Forest with the best water from the region, which for the founder is “more than just an ingredient from the tap, but an almost mystical element” which is just as important as the botanicals. The production conditions are ideal: a distillery ‘fired’ by a PV system which has been converted to electricity in order to be independent of gas, and a bottling capacity of more than 20,000 litres per month. Small handmade runs are a major challenge in terms of logistics, which is why the primary clients are bars, hotels and premium specialist retailers, as well as the online business.

The gin has a malty maca note reminiscent of toffee and vanilla, paired with berries and a citrus-like fruit from Peru, as well as juniper from the Black Forest, classic spices such as coriander and angelica root, and a hint of different types of pepper.

BY38 Dry Gin won gold at the World Spirits Award.