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Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.

Emil Scheibel Schwarzwald-Brennerei: With hydropower to whisky

Michael Scheibel has breathed new life into the disused Scheibel mill in Kappelrodeck. Single malt whisky has been produced here since 2014; the first batch came on the market in 2018 after more than three years’ storage. The listed building has been lovingly restored while historical details were preserved. A turbine from 1954 provides power, and any surplus goes directly into the distillery and the public network. “Grain still plays a central role here, but now in liquid form,” says the company boss.

The hand-hammered copper stills with the typical swan’s neck were especially designed for the distillery and guarantee consistent quality. “They catch the eye from the visitors’ room,” says chief distiller Frank Blechschmidt. The whisky benefits from the architecture of the mill when maturing as it is stored on four levels with different temperature and climate zones. The Acher River under the mill provides coolness and humidity. “In summer, temperatures reach 45 degrees under the roof, in winter it’s common to see temperatures of minus 10,” says Michael Scheibel. “This ensures movement in the barrel and creates the heartbeat of our single malt whisky.”

Under the brand names EMILL Stockwerk, with 46 per cent alcohol by volume, and EMILL Kraftwerk, at cask strength with 58.7 per cent alcohol by volume, there are currently two products available at the mill and online.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Emill Single Malt Whisky Stockwerk and Emill Single Malt Whisky Kraftwerk.

Morikawaratan: Liqueur specialities from Japan

Takanori Mori, who runs a roofing company, started Goodman Kitchen, a mobile restaurant, in 2018. He travelled through Japan with it and got to know wonderful ingredients in every region. Inspired by these encounters, he founded a factory for liqueur specialities in 2022. He began producing liqueurs, for which he processed agricultural products from all over Japan. The first product, Limoncello, was launched in spring 2023, followed by Arancello, plum wine and Bankan, made from unique citrus fruits. Guided tours of the company are also available for anyone interested.

In November 2023, Limoncello was awarded a gold medal and the plum wine a silver medal at ‘The Liqueur Masters’. This is organised by ‘The Spirits Business’ trade magazine, and spirits are tasted by spirits experts in 14 separate categories. The results can also be found at www.thespiritsbusiness.com, which attracts more than 325,000 visitors from almost 150 countries every month. The products also impressed the WSA expert jury.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Hida Craft Lemoniq (Sweet Award & SoY 2024), gold for Hida Craft Lemoniq Bitter, and bronze for Hida Craft Umeshu Den.