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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.

Aromahopping: Botanical spirit from the Odenwald forest

The “Inge & der Honigbär” gin brand is produced by Aromahopping GmbH in Mosbach (Baden-Württemberg). Behind the concept is trained chef Eric Kletti, who has been working in the region since 2017 and develops his distillates according to culinary principles. The recipes are based on combinations of flavours familiar to the kitchen. The range currently comprises nine London Dry Gin varieties, which are produced in small batches. The products are numbered.

The foundation is a grain-based alcohol in combination with spring water. Characteristic to these distillates are unusual blends of botanicals, including mandarin and rosemary, vanilla and cherry or tomato and lemon. The botanicals are handpicked and undergo sensory testing before processing. After several days of maceration, they are processed in its own small distillery. The distillates are then matured in steel tanks before being bottled at 43% alcohol by volume. Around 120 bottles are produced per batch. Labelling and packaging are also done by hand. Sale is through specialist retailers, restaurants, catering businesses and hotels, as well as selected retail partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Tasting boxes and limited special editions are also available.

At the World Spirits Award, Silver was awarded to Inge & der Honigbär Gin NO. 03 – Amalfi lemon, Inge & der Honigbär Gin NO. 04 – sage blossom & orange, Inge & der Honigbär Gin NO. 05 – mandarin & rosemary, Inge & der Honigbär Gin NO. 06 – vanilla & cherry, Inge & der Honigbär Gin NO. 07 – Kaffir lime & cinnamon and Inge & der Honigbär Gin NO. 09 – tomato & lemon.

Vánagandr – Great quality from a small business

This is a real cottage industry, as the distillery in Cambre in the north-west of Spain only covers 200 m². This doesn’t mean, however, that the strict regulations and legally required controls for the spirit industry don’t apply here. The company is of the highest standard: distillation is based on old Galician traditions and carried out over direct heat in a copper boiler from the best Portuguese coppersmiths, with a few modern modifications.

The alcoholic base for the London Dry Gin comes from triple distilled wheat of only the best quality. This also applies to the carefully selected botanicals: juniper, angelica root, Cassia cinnamon from Indonesia, orris root from Eastern Europe, coriander seeds, orange and lemon peel from Spain, cardamom from Guatemala, nutmeg from Indonesia, liquorice from Turkey, Ceylon cinnamon and a few other secret ingredients – as with all gin producers. The water that is used for the entire production process is one of the best drinking waters in the whole of Spain. Distillation takes place very slowly, over about 12 to 14 hours, which means a total of only about 440 bottles a day. Filling, sealing, labelling, signing and numbering is done manually. “I mostly work alone, although sometimes my wife helps me since we don’t have anyone else at the moment. This means that absolutely everything that is in these bottles has passed through my hands”, says director Enrique Pena. Not only these bottles are in a class of their own, the especially designed label also catches the eye with a mythology-inspired motif.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Vánagandr London Dry Gin.