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Glina Destillerie: The finest raw materials from their own fields

Not far from Berlin – about a 30-minute drive from the Reichstag – high-quality spirits have been produced since 1991. Since 2004, rye and single malt whisky have been made from champagne rye and spring barley from their own fields. The sandy earth streaked with loam and clay, combined with the mild climate in the Havel region, offers perfect conditions for crop cultivation, forming the basis for their mild and fruity whiskies. A fundamental role is also played by the water from their own 86-metre-deep Elisabeth spring.

The master distiller and owner Michael Schultz controls every step of the production process. “I am dedicated to my production with all my heart and do everything myself, from cultivation right through mash and distillation to barrel storage and filling.” As one of the few distilleries in Germany, Glina has a ten-year single malt in its product range that matures in three different barrels. Apart from whisky, gin is also produced and since 2020 the striking colour of Sir Henry Magic Blue has been attracting attention. To convey the high quality standards, each bottle bears the handprint of the master distiller. Glina stands for authentic whisky from the Margraviate of Brandenburg. The promise of “My hand for my product” is part of the company philosophy which they live and breathe.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Sir Henry Gin + Grapefruit, Sir Henry Gin + Magic Blue and Glina RYE Whisky made from champagne rye, silver to Der Siedler Gin, Glina Single Malt Whisky in the Bordeaux barrel from Château Clos Fontaine 2012, Glina Single Malt Whisky 8 Years Triple Cask Strength and Glina Single Malt Whisky 10 Years Triple Cask Strength, and bronze to Sir Henry Gin and Glina Single Malt Whisky Ex Siedlerhof Knupper-Kirschwein-Fass and the First Class Distillery classification.

Edelbrennerei Friedl Mair – Fruit classics from a professional amateur distiller

In the small community of Flaurling in the Inn Valley, between Innsbruck and Telfs, lives a successful amateur distiller. He discovered his love of spirits over 25 years ago – and this has now become his great passion. Friedl Mair started out with a small licensed distillery which has been successively expanded and enlarged over the years. Investment in modern technology has given rise to a high quality bonded distillery. Further training and curiosity eventually transformed a hobby into a profession! Success did not take long to come and Friedl Mair is now the proud recipient of numerous awards for his products – as well as winning the Tyrol State Prize twice.

His product range of around 50 items is based on ripe, high quality fruit: from pip fruits (especially apples, pears and quince) to stone fruits (in particular damson and as a cigar brandy, apricot, cherry, sour cherry, sloe, greengage and Mirabelle plum) as well as berries (cranberry, rowanberry, elderberry, raspberry, jostaberry, strawberry and juniper berry), pomace and grape marc and specialities such as gentian, carrot and Jerusalem artichoke. Following processing and distillation in the distilling column, these ‘treats for the taste buds based on traditional Tyrolean fruit distilling’ are left to mature in glass balloons. The brandies are sold in hand-painted bottles and on request can be packaged in gift boxes and wooden boxes.

Participation in the World Spirits Award brought classification as a Master Class Distillery 2013. There was gold for the quince, berry cuvée and muscatel grape and silver for the Williams red and damson cuvée.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

2B Hemp Gin: Styrian gin experience

Two visionaries, Armin Breinl (doctor, drink creator, musician) and Wolfgang Thomann (gin maker), have created a completely new gin experience with real hemp powder: 2B HEMP GIN (inspired by AEIJST). On 17th November 2018, the two invited guests to the first tasting of 2B HEMP GIN in the AEIJST GIN distillery in St. Nikolai in the Sausal Valley.

Made from organic juniper berries, this innovative gin has an impressive, mild and fruity taste and a typical hemp note. Due to its unique aroma, it not only tastes good neat, but also creates a ‘wow’ effect in cocktails – as proven in the long drink Styrian Pale Gin AEIJST refined with 2B HEMP.

For thousands of years, hemp has been grown as a valuable plant, be it for rope, fabric, paper or as an active ingredient in ointments and tinctures. Hemp has always been highly valued for its medicinal properties, yet recently has been demonised as an addictive drug and has suffered under its ensuing prohibition, originating in the USA. These days hemp is regaining importance and is being used more as a luxury food as well as in medicine as a therapeutic agent.

The Lifestyle Trading company, run by Armin Breinl, is an innovative beverage producer, which is already known amongst trade professionals for its sugar-free ‘func- tional fruit drinks’. The drinks have a high fruit content (more than 50 per cent) and additional natural, vital substances and have an energising, relaxing and regenerative effect.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for 2B HEMP GIN.