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Schloss Fels – Shelves of variety

For the last 30 years, Weingut Schloss Fels has been amongst the top vineyards and spirit producers. Today, nearly 90 hectares of own vineyards are cultivated in Fels and Rohrendorf near Krems, making this one of the largest winegrowing estates in Austria.

The vineyard’s home-grown wines are marketed under the brand name ‘Weingut Schloss Fels’. Grapes from contracted winegrowers are also processed and used in the company, but only where they meet the strict quality criteria.

Managing director Klaus Klein clearly defines the company’s standards: “Schloss Fels stands for regional products, traditional methods, the latest technology and uncompromising quality control.”

Apart from wine, spirits are also produced, which are sold under the brand names ‘Felser’ (clear schnapps, rum and speciality blends), TAIGA Wódka, Silver Crown Gin, Golden Dew Scotch Whisky, Barbossa light Rum and ‘Desirée’ (a mild brandy matured in oak casks). The motto is: high quality at entry-level prices. All products are available in Austria exclusively via the distribution channels of SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels AG: SPAR-Markt, EUROSPAR and INTERSPAR, and some are also available at METRO.

Classified as a First Class Distillery 2016, the business won a whole row of medals at the World Spirits Award: gold for Felser Williams schnapps, Felser hazelnut spirit, Felser raspberry spirit, Silver Crown Special Dry Gin, Felser herb bitter, Felser advocaat and Barbossa Superior Rum, silver for Felser Selection apricot brandy, Felser apricot schnapps, cranberry liqueur and Barbossa Spiced Gold, as well as bronze for Felser Selection Williams brandy.

Eagles Mountain Distillery: Ostalpen in the Mürzer Oberland nature reserve

For quite some years, Werner and Angela Ultsch have been dedicating themselves to the development of innovative alpine drinks, whereby they attach great importance to protecting nature and supporting the region. Werner Ultsch, a pioneer of Austrian natural cuisine, has many decades of experience not only as a chef in fine gastronomy, but also as a hotelier and project developer in the areas of health and tourism. His culinary understanding has always been closely associated with local agriculture.

In 2022 with the takeover of a traditional distillery in Upper Styria, a further alpine site was added for the brands Alperitif® and Alperitivo®. The basis for their production are medicinal herb cultures in the Tyrolean Wipptal valley, where at 1,350 metres above sea level many thousands of masterwort and angelica plants provide the valuable main raw ingredients for both the alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks. In cooperation with organic farmers, a sustainable and regional raw material supply is ensured.

Experiences from the southern Alpine arc (Alpes-Maritimes) provided the inspiration for supplementing the Alperitif® gin liqueur with the Alperitif® Maritim. In 2023, the product range was widened with the novelty Eagles Bready, whereby the alcohol was distilled from ‘yesterday’s bread’ and refined to a wholesome liqueur for hot drinks with alpine herbs, roots and berry juices stored for many months. In addition, there is the Alperitif® ALPINE GIN cum Imperatoria – a strong masterwort gin with a volume percent of 48.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Alperitif® Maritim and Alperitif® ALPINE GIN cum Imperatoria, and silver to Eagles Bready.

Jim Beam Distillery – Bourbon straight on

Knob Creek is named after a rivulet in Kentucky, the home of President Abraham Lincoln. His steadfast attitude seems to serve as an example for this straightforward bourbon. The square ‘chemist’s bottle’ suits these traditional values perfectly, as does the striking label which is reminiscent of the old tradition of wrapping bottles in newspaper. To this day, a mixture of experience and craftsmanship is the recipe for success for the bourbon from Knob Creek.

The bourbon was at the peak of its success in 1919, when the nationwide prohibition of the sale, manufacture and transport of alcohol began – lasting until 1933. Following this, a new start was impossible for many distilleries; others couldn’t finance the customary long maturing process of the bourbon. This situation motivated Booker Noe to revive the traditional bourbon style from the time before the prohibition: rich in aroma, with discreet sweetness due to year-long maturation in strongly ‘toasted’ wooden barrels from American white oak. In 1950, he joined the family business – his mother was the daughter of Jim Beam, which meant bourbon was already in his blood – and completed his training as Master Distiller. With the small series of premium bourbon he launched, the term ‘batch’ (small) was established and revolutionised the industry. His son, Fred Noe, continues with this clear strategy: “I learnt the business from scratch, listened to my father and learnt on the job. I know what it means to make perfect bourbon. Each bottle is a reflection of my family.” Since 1992, the Knob Creek brand has represented these values with the perfect combination of tradition and top quality.

A golden trio was successful at the World Spirits Award: Knob Creek Rye Whiskey Small Batch, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon and Knob Creek Straight Bourbon.

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.