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Peter Kronbichler: TIROLIKUM from Walchsee

At the foot of the Kaisergebirge mountain range, directly on the shores of Lake Walchsee, lies the Kronbichler family’s small distillery. Three generations are involved in the production, whereby distilling, bottling and labelling are done by hand. The products are available in the two Tiroler Laden® shops in Walchsee, and in their online shop as well. The product range of fruit brandies and liqueurs is enriched by their own London Dry Gin. Under the brand TIROLIKUM they also produce a gin liqueur and a herb elixir. Elixier Klar (herb spirit) and London Dry Gin Overproof with 57% are the novelties in the product range. For the first time in 2023, a fine herb bitter under the trademark ALPARI is being offered. Pure or as ALPARI Spritz with wine or tonic water, its fragrance unfolds and its fine aroma infuses the palate.

The botanicals are largely sourced regionally and are subject to strict quality criteria. The modern copper still ensures a variety of expressions: in the nose the elegant freshness of citrus and herbs, subtle hints of spices with roots and light blossom aromas, while on the palate sweet-tangy with juniper and coriander, leaving a soft, slightly tart finish. Herbs, roots and the finest juniper are the most important elements for the modern Gin Liqueur – always enjoyable as an aperitif or long drink with ice. For the Elixier, 46 herbs, roots and spices are processed through a sophisticated procedure of maceration and distillation. Storage is in medium toasted oak barrels.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for TIROLIKUM Gin, TIROLIKUM Elixier and TIROLIKUM Gin Likör, and silver for ALPARI.

Bimmerle: Know-how meets regionality and trend awareness

At the production location in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, the family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with targeted know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all their heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.

In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand, as ‘evergreens’ are currently enjoying a renaissance and have reclaimed a place in the restaurant and bar scene. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with Wood Stork Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Zünftler Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Best Moments Sahnelikör Vanillekipferl (vanilla cream liqueur), Best Moments Sahnelikör weiße Schokolade mit Tonkabohne (white chocolate and tonka bean cream liqueur), Sahnelikör Zimtstern (cinnamon cream liqueur), Sahnelikör Dominostein (cream liqueur), Evermann Theo Black Forest Blended Whisky, Evermann Wilhelm Black Forest Single Malt Whisky and Bunburry’s Double Distilled Blended Whisky, and silver for Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Selektion Sahnelikör gebrannte Mandel (almond cream liqueur), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (forest raspberry spirit), Sahnelikör Karamellisierte Birne (pear cream liqueur) and Orson’s Winter Gin.

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.