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Ostoya: Polish vodka for the world

Ostoya is part of the portfolio of Wyborowa Pernod Ricard S.A. The name Wyborowa can be translated as ‘selected’ and is a symbol for a product that over decades has set the standard of how a high-quality rye vodka should taste.

Ostoya was the first wheat vodka produced in Poland. The spirit is made from fine grains grown in Bieszczady, one of Poland’s most pristine regions. Amidst the clear streams and beautiful meadows of the highlands, everything runs to the rhythm of nature. It is a refuge of wilderness and raw nature, where time seems to stand still. Here you can breathe deeply, away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. At the Pernod Ricard production plant in Zielona Góra, the products are distilled and carbon-filtered for exceptional purity in rectification plants in Poznan. This premium vodka is 100 percent Polish, from the grain to the glass. The design of the bottle is striking, inspired by the Bieszczady region, which also determines the origin of the wheat used. It is often sold in 700 ml bottles, but there are also larger formats, for example 1.75 litres, with atmospheric lighting.

Ostoya Vodka won Gold at the World Spirits Award.

Highclere Castle Spirits: Traditional gin with style

Highclere Castle is a manor house in the neo-Renaissance style dating back to the 19th century, located in the county of Hampshire to the south-west of London. The exquisite country house has been the home of the Carnarvon family for more than 300 years and clearly has a long and rich past. The typically English park is located within the 1,000 hectare grounds of gentle hills and woodlands. Over the centuries, visitors have included kings and artists, statesmen and authors. The etiquette involved in playing host to such noteworthy guests has been perfected over generations.

Today, Lady Carnarvon still welcomes friends and guests in the drawing room or on the lawn with a gin cocktail or traditional gin and tonic – traditionally with the juice and peel of fresh oranges and a sprig of rosemary from the garden. Juniper has grown wild on the grounds since Roman times and forms the backbone of the first-class London Dry Gin. In the family archives, recipes can be found from the early 20th century, which were painstakingly fine-tuned over the space of two years. At the heart of it all is juniper, which is joined by lavender, lime blossom and orange peel. The unusual addition of oats as a botanical creates a creamy note.

Highclere Castle Gin is produced in England’s oldest gin distillery from the 19th century, above an ancient underground spring. Continuous improvements and a long tradition have led to a facility being established in which worldwide prize-winning gins of the highest quality are produced.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Highclere Castle Gin.

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.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.