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Berentzen Group: 260 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.

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.

Bruno Perkonig –Carinthia’s number 1 small distillery

Bruno Perkonig’s career as a distiller started out in 1995 and to date, every product submitted to a competition has received a reward. Bruno Perkonig is a fixed contender at industry events and operates Carinthia’s number 1 small distillery. The limited yet refined annual production totals 160 litres and 15 distillates which are primarily sold to private enthusiasts. Some of the rarest products, based on the philosophy of “less is more”, include berry brandies made from local wild fruits. Fruit brandies and schnapps made from pip and stone fruits complete the selection.

Bruno Perkonig’s main job is as a teacher but his part-time teaching work leaves him plenty of time for schnapps distilling and researching the secrets of nature. Bitters are made from herbs and roots and soothing ointments are concocted. A visit to St. Ulrich near Feldkirchen is certainly worthwhile: a more than 350 years old farmhouse has been painstakingly transformed and restored so that “tinctures and ointments can be produced here”. Bruno Perkonig says with a wink that the building would be perfect for increasing his distilling capacity. The distilling and storage take place in a stone vaulted room and a farmer’s lounge has been adapted for hosting tastings and cultural events.

The results of the World Spirits Award speak for themselves: classification as a First Class Distillery 2012, gold for the apple quince, silver for the raspberry, Knorpelkirsch cuvée (cherry) and Zwetschke Holz (plum) and bronze for the rose apricot.

Ungava Spirits: Authentic products from Canada

Ungava Spirits, a leading Canadian manufacturer of high-quality products, has set up its production facilities, the distillery and offices in Cowansville, in Quebec’s beautiful Eastern Townships. As well as the internationally known Ungava Premium Dry Gin, the product range also includes maple liqueur, rum, vodka and vermouth. The spirits are produced in small batches using natural and local ingredients of the highest quality.

Ungava Gin is made from six rare Arctic botanicals from northern Quebec that are hand-harvested, dried and slowly steeped for five weeks for a natural extraction of their complex flavours and colours. Cabot Trail is inspired by Canadian tradition, combining maple and blueberry cream liqueur with maple syrup and blueberries. Quartz Vodka made from Canadian corn is purified by cryogenic treatment at extremely cold temperatures and micro-distilled five times for silky finesse and crystalline transparency. Chic Choc Black Spiced Rum is made of first-class West Indian rum, a blend of selected rums stored for three to seven years. The botanicals come 100% from Quebec – wild herbs from the Chic Choc mountain region on the Gaspésie peninsula. Baril Caché is based on the regional grains of rye, barley, corn and wheat as well as Canadian whiskies matured for at least five years.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Ungava Premium Dry Gin, Cabot Trail Maple and Blueberry Cream and Quartz Vodka, and silver for Rhum épicé CHIC CHOC Spiced Rum and Whisky Baril Caché.