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Alltech’s Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company – Distilling and brewing with passion

Alltech is a global company operating in the animal health and nutrition industry. With more than 2,650 employees in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 1999, Alltech from the heart of Kentucky entered the drinks industry, initially with beer and then with spirits such as Bourbon and Malt Whisky. A carefully devised visitor centre is located close to the brewery and distillery and visitors can enjoy guided tours.

Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons comes from Ireland and is a master of his craft. Five generations have been involved with whisky making in his home town. He says of the Bourbon: “The character of the Bourbon is closely linked to the water in the city of Lexington. This is why we named it after the river, Town Branch.” The ‘Pearse Lyons Reserve’ is a real highlight following numerous years of experimentation. This is the first Malt Whisky to be produced in Kentucky since 1919. The small yet refined product range is completed with a homage to Irish Coffee by the name of ‘Bluegrass Sundown’ which is made from coffee, sugar and Bourbon.

The distiller’s passion has already been suitably rewarded: the traditional Kentucky Distillers Association decided to expand its circle of distillery craftsmanship for the first time since it was founded in 1880 and invited Alltech to become a member.

The company also scored success at the World Spirits Award with gold for the Town Branch Bourbon and Pearse Lyons Reserve.

The Shropshire Gin Company – Passion and a fighting spirit for gin

The company Van den Berg is newly founded, at the end of 2019, with an online shop also opening at the same time. “Our shop is simple, but very aesthetic and reflects what our spices are: elegant, colourful, tasteful and incredibly versatile. It invites you to go where discoveries and journeys never end. For us there are no boundaries here, because spices have never known any either,” is how marketing manager Fabian Held explains it. The passion for fine aromas and exceptional tastes is evident in around 250 spices and herbs from A to Z – available pure and as the finest blends according to their own recipes. All of this can be found at the manufacturing site in Graz, with direct sales, a sampling room, a lounge and a production hall.

And then there are herbs and spices whose aroma only really unfolds in a dissolved form such as in gin or vermouth, because alcohol helps even the finest aromas to develop. The London Dry Gin presents itself with a distinct juniper fragrance, fine herbal nuances with rosemary and others, as well as elegant hints of fruit and a pinch of citrus and peach. The Distiller’s Cut Gin has a surprising aroma that evokes lemon, lime and bergamot, a citrus fruit that grows wild in the south of Italy. The basis for the Wermut rosso is a Zweigelt from the highest altitude vineyard in Styria. The gin used complements the wine with a fine tanginess.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Van den Berg London Dry Gin, Van den Berg Distiller’s Cut and Van den Berg Wermut rosso.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

Beim World-Spirits Award 2025 gab es Gold für Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey, Dúchas Irish Whiskey, Silver für Ardfallen Triple Cask Whiskey, Boyle‘s Sloe & Damson Gin, Dolmen Honey Moonshine.

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.