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Litchquor – Newly defined classics

Gold of Mauritius Dark Rum is a brilliant tribute to the beauty of the island in the Indian Ocean with its multicultural population and their traditions. The production of rum from local sugarcane molasses has a long tradition in Mauritius, dating back to the year 1800. With ‘Gold of Mauritius’, master blender Frederic Bestel wants to express the richness of the island: the breathtaking landscape with distinctive mountain peaks, fertile valleys and beautiful beaches – and the smiles of the people who live there.

The Dark Rum is a blend of various single distillates from the island, refined in an elaborate process which then reaches its harmonious and aromatic flavour after maturing. Only small amounts are produced at one time, monitored personally by the owner. In the production phases, elements and experiences from various sources are employed: for example, the production process from Central America and the barrels from South Africa. This mixture of influences matches the cultural diversity which can be found in Mauritius. Since its entry onto the market in 2014, the ‘new classic of the world of rum’ has achieved wide recognition. Even its bottle reflects how extraordinary the product is: an unusually shaped, heavy glass carafe with elegant gold embossing. Gold of Mauritius Black 48 Edition is an intense version of the classic, with 48% alcohol.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Silver for Heritage Selection Gold of Mauritius Black 48 Edition.

Achim Lohner: Traditional enterprise with a future

Founded in 1912, the Lohners boast an impressive growth story of 110 years of a family bakery chain. Almost 170 bakeries with over 2,000 employees in Germany sell fresh baked goods, including cakes, to more than 60,000 customers daily. Sustainability concepts have always been considered and observed throughout the long company history. Thinking of tomorrow already today is not an empty slogan here but a practiced company philosophy. This ranges from using local suppliers, reducing energy consumption by using the latest technologies to cooperating with sustainable agriculture.

The new managing director Marc Kranz has now gone one step further. He has combined his longstanding fascination with gin with the reduction of returns from the branches. The crust of one of the top breads of the bakery, the ‘Raubritter’ (robber knight), has been used as a basis for the high-quality London Dry Gin ‘The Bread Knight’. Together with the Hubertus Vallendar Distillery, Marc Kranz and Mario Vallendar have created a unique product, as it were – a taste journey lined with juniper trees and fresh bread, accompanied by various botanicals. The partiality to traditional and artisanal procedures, coupled with great dedication, has resulted in a unique experience.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to The Bread Knight London Dry Gin.