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Nobilis Pálinka – Hungarian tradition paired with innovative technology

The Vértes Mountains are located in the north-west of Hungary at the heart of the Transdanubian region. The southern slopes of the mountains are home to a Mediterranean-like climate. The Nobilis ‘Pálinka farm’ extends over 300 hectares close to rural villages and protected natural forests. The production of Pálinka has been regulated by law since 2008. Beverages can only be labelled as Pálinka if they are made from fruits picked in Hungary and if both the fermentation and distillation also take place in this country.

Kristóf Nobilis manages a team of ‘maximalists’ who work at the ultra-modern plant, applying the highest levels of precision craftsmanship. Only the best quality raw materials are used to make the distillates and at least 2.5 kg of fruit (primarily apricots, plums, pears, apples and sour cherries) are used to make just one bottle. The water used to ensure the optimal alcohol content comes from the Vértesalja karst spring. The first series of Nobilis schnapps was bottled in 2010 and bears the symbol 10n.

The innovative company is also renowned for its special ‘Pálinka Dispenser’ which was installed in the VIP lounge at Budapest airport as part of Hungary’s EU presidency. This presented an opportunity for members of the international delegations to relax with a glass of ‘Pálinka’ after a busy day’s work and get to know Hungarian traditions in the form of these aromatic fruit brandies. The male visitors favoured the plum version while the women preferred the peach.

The Pálinka products also found favour with the jury at the World Spirits Award. The company was classed as a Master Class Distillery 2014. There was gold for the Plum and Grape Irsai Olivier, and silver for the Pear Williams Yellow, Quince, Cherry Sour and Apricot.

Euelsberger Brennerei: Production in the Eifel region

Owner and master distiller Stephan Thomé runs the 2017 start-up in Dingdorf. He converted the old calf shed on his parents’ farm into a distillery. The name of the business comes from the Euelsberg mountainside, where the farm has a traditional orchard with tall trees growing apples, pears, damsons, Mirabelle plums, greengage plums and walnuts. In 2023, the distillery was extended by a unique GIN SCHOOL containing over 300 botanicals.

They produce fruit brandies, spirits, liqueurs and different categories of gin. In the development phase the distiller played around with over 120 herbs in his aroma lab. From the shortlist of twelve varieties, three were chosen for the first batch. In 2020, they added Gin #4 EIFEL with botanicals from the immediate vicinity. In 2022, Gin #5 SUMMER with mandarin, lemon and pepper took up the inspiration of Gin #1 PEPPER & LEMON, and rounded it off with cocoa bean and coriander. Each gin has its own individual note, from spicy and fresh to floral and oriental. In 2023, the first SLOE GIN was created. The basis is Gin #4 EIFEL, in which handpicked sloes are soaked and macerated for at least six months.

The botanicals from their own fields and from around the world are carefully selected and are of the same highest quality as those used in top restaurants and in homeopathy. Many ingredients are harvested by hand on organic farms. Every stage is carried out by hand as well. After the careful filtering and filling process, the gin is matured over months in steel barrels.

At the World Spirits Award, Gold was awarded to Euelsberger #2 Fifteen Flowers, and Silver to Euelsberger #4 Eifel.

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.