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Tradition Mexico – Tequila without compromises

The friends behind Padre azul, the new tequila in the premium segment, stand united on one matter: their passion for Mexico. “We appreciate high quality tequila, and with Padre azul we are bringing an exclusive product to Europe. We searched for the perfect distillery for a long time. At Tres Mujeres in Jalisco in the highlands of Mexico we found what we were looking for.” 100% Mexico – 100% handcraft – 100% agave.

These requirements and quality criteria apply to the whole production process, which is why each bottle also wears the sought-after quality seal from the Mexican authorities, “Consejo Regulador del Tequila” (CRT). There were no compromises when it came to the design of the bottles: they are made by hand and adorned with a 270g skull which represents the skull culture of Mexico.

Padre azul is available in three grades of maturity, depending on the length of storage. The Añejo usually spends eighteen months in French oak barrels to achieve a mature, full-bodied taste. The Reposado needs at least eight months in barrels for its subtle vanilla tone. The Blanco is a clear tequila which is bottled straight after distillation – it is soft and mild in taste. None of the three need salt or lemon – you can enjoy them neat. True to the motto: no compromises.

At the World Spirits Award, the trio was very successful: there was double gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul anejo, gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul reposado, and silver for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul blanco.

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.

Destilería Serrallés

Puerto Rico is world-famous for excellent rum, and one of the oldest family-run businesses with a perfect grasp of traditional craftsmanship is the Destilería Serrallés, founded in 1865. The beginning of their success story, however, lies even further back, as the family, originally from Catalonia, had already settled near the town of Ponce on the southern coast of the island in the 1830s. Their ‘Hacienda Mercedita’ became a proper town with workers’ settlements and its own railway – and a major exporter of cane sugar. The first barrels of rum were produced by Juan Serrallés with a copper pot still which he had imported from France.

These days the production process is a multiple distillation system with activated carbon filtration as a basis for clear, pure rum. Storage and maturation of the rum takes place in American oak barrels. The careful compilation of the blend is based on recipes passed down through the Serrallés family and perfected over six generations. The result is a portfolio of authentic rums from the region, with the flagship Don Q, the best-selling rum on the island. Incidentally, Don Q stands for Don Quijote, whose picture is on the bottles.

The World Class Distillery 2019 received gold for Don Q Añejo, Don Q Gran Añejo, Don Q Gold, Don Q Cristal Rum, Don Q Coco Rum, Don Q Pina, Don Q Double Aged Vermouth Cask Finish Rum, and silver for Don Q Oak Barrel aged Spiced Rum.

Privatdestillerie Hermann Pfanner – The art of distilling since 1856

A love of fruit and the passion for producing high-quality products from the treasures of nature is the motto of this traditional family business. The company was founded by Max Hermann Pfanner, who purchased the “Landgasthaus zum Hirschen” guesthouse in Lauterach in 1856. In addition to a small beer brewery, brandies and liqueurs have been produced here for the catering industry from the outset. Williams pear brandy was launched onto the market for the first time in the early 1950s – a speciality of the day which remains a flagship product of the company even today, accounting for 80% of the overall production. Pfanner is Austria’s largest producer of genuine Williams pear brandy.

The goal of Walter Pfanner is to produce elegant and pure brandies, a distinct intensity and refined balance with a character typical of the fruit in question. The ripe fruits are selected with care and some 500,000 kilograms are refined each year using a professional approach and the latest production techniques. The name “Pfanner – der Edle” (Pfanner – the exquisite) is no coincidence.

The range of varieties on offer – Williams pear, Williams pear with honey, Subirer pear, raspberry, apricot, fruit brandy, plum, cherry, gentian and rowanberry – are presented in a confident modern design, defined by their long-standing tradition. The first Vorarlberg single malt whisky was distilled in 2005 and presented in 2009 following three years of storage in wooden barrels. This addition to the product variety was a great success. New to the range is an elegant cigar brandy creation made from Golden Delicious apples and stored in Limousin oak barrels.

Pfanner ranked 16th among the fruit brandies at the World-Spirits Award as a “Master-Class Distillery”, winning two golds and three silvers. The innovative whisky was also awarded gold by the discerning jury.