World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Southern Champion Distillery – Visionary, creative, unusual

The founding of the company in 2010 was unconventional: it was the result of a Master’s final project – and today BuzzBallz is one of the leading ready-to-drink beverages in the USA. Once an alcoholic drink industry outsider, they now use the same, unconventional concept to put a new line of spirits on the market. Southern Champion wants to lead in the sectors of bottling, production and marketing of spirits.

The enthusiastic family team focuses on creating a sense of family and promoting their vision at the company’s offices. This is evident in creative details, such as the colourful walls or slanting windows. The offices are air-conditioned, and every day a full-time chef prepares lunch for everyone, there are massage days – and success is celebrated together. In short: the company has personality, and this can be seen in the brands, the buildings, and also in the employees.

In brand policy, high quality is paramount, and special attention is paid to the unusual style of the bottles and labels – and the products have a reasonable, fair price. The brands, which are tasteful in every respect, have a story to tell: of lifechanging people and places, and invite you to take a journey to them, to share the vision.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for XIII Kings Vodka, Pelican Harbor Light Rum, Pelican Harbor Dark Rum, Crooked Fox Blended Bourbon Whiskey, and silver for Andrew John's Gin.

RTF Distillers: The bar sector treads new paths

Stephan Hinz, a qualified restaurateur, is considered a visionary of modern gastronomy. He earned himself important awards in the bar sector early on, published several reference books, and his bar Little Link in Cologne was lauded as the ‘most innovative bar’ already in its first year of existence. This name also reflects what drives it: doing things differently, treading new paths, overcoming boundaries. He has passed on his knowledge as a speaker at trade fairs and events in over 20 countries. With his companies Hinzself and Cocktailkunst, he supports gastronomy and industry with his expertise and develops pioneering solutions for the industry. This has resulted, for example, in a revolutionary ice cube machine, glass collection and a range of environmentally friendly drinking straws. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, he has shown with great creativity how to make the best of the situation. Along with partners from the drinks industry, he launched the Barback initiative – designed to support the bar sector in the long term through digital solutions.

After over ten years of experience, he developed his own first spirits brand under the name ‘Root to Fruit’, the products Camela (‘journey along the legendary Silk Road’), Ricordino (‘homage to the Mediterranean way of life’) and Kalyx (‘elixir for life artists’). The innovative product range brings together carefully selected natural ingredients with the highest quality standards. A wide range of plants is also used, from fruit and vegetables to herbs and spices. All according to the motto: from the root to the fruit!

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Ricordino, and bronze for Camela and Kalyx.

Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa

Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.

Schwarze & Schlichte – Brand personalities from Westphalia

The family business Schwarze & Schlichte from Westphalia has been representing the highest quality spirits for the last 345 years with a distinct range of national specialities, regional traditional brands and successful international innovations. This top quality is based on a distilling tradition acquired over centuries which has been passed down over twelve generations. Even today, distilling and maceration still take place at the company’s own distillery where plenty of time and skill are invested. The selection and processing of the best raw materials and continuous control of the production process ensure a consistently high quality. One factor for success is the ongoing brand management in accordance with the specific requirements of the various brand personalities.

Three Sixty Vodka is one of the purest and mildest vodkas in the world. A fourfold distillation process ensures tangible softness and exceptional clarity while the purity of the vodka is all down to the time-consuming “Diamond Filtration” process: the finest filters are used, set with crystals like diamond dust, to remove even the smallest of suspended particles from the distillate. Even the packaging is unique: the facet-cut bottle of pure white shiny glass sets off this premium vodka to perfection. A black velvet label completes the sophisticated design.

The Grappa Bianca from Scavi & Ray is characterised by its full-bodied balanced flavour with powerful and intense aromas of marc. This crystal-clear brandy is soft and deliciously balanced thanks to the exquisite skill of the master distillery. The intense and fruity aroma is reminiscent of the sun-soaked vineyards in Italy.

Both products received a silver medal at the World-Spirits.