World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Altvater Gessler – Specialities with great tradition

At the end of the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century, ‘Altvater Gessler’ and ‘J.A. Baczewski’ were well-known brand names, associated with a large variety of high quality alcoholic drinks.

The roots of the company date way back to the 18th century, and the branch, which was founded in Silesia in 1873, gained great importance with the slogan ‘3 words: Altvater – Gessler – Jägerndorf’. It became a purveyor to the court of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor and was awarded gold medals at the world exhibitions in 1888 in Melbourne and St. Petersburg, in 1889 in Barcelona and Brussels, in 1900 in Paris, and in 1904 in Vienna. After the collapse of the Empire, individual businesses were founded in the successor states and licences were issued to manufacturers of Gessler products. After the Second World War, most of the businesses in Eastern Europe were nationalised. Only Vienna remained in the possession of the Gessler family and was run for 60 years by Eduard Gessler. Exports were expanded to Australia, Africa and America. In 1980, his son Elek re-established the company under the name ‘Altvater Gessler – J.A. Baczewski GmbH’: which is still a famous name for spirit specialities following old traditions today.

Classified as a First Class Distillery in 2019, there was double gold for J.A. Baczewski Piolunowka, gold for J.A. Baczewski Orzechowka, Gin Monopolowa, Vodka Monopolowa, J.A. Baczewski Ovovit, J.A. Baczewski Suweren and J.A. Baczewski Whisky, silver for J.A. Baczewski Pomeranczowka and J.A. Baczewski Jezynowka, and bronze for J.A. Baczewski Morelowka and J.A. Baczewski Wisniowka.

LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.

Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.