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MBG International Premium Brands – Brands with added value

“We Love Liquids.” This slogan has accompanied MBG on its worldwide path of success since it was founded in 1993 under the name P.O.S. Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH: Strong brands have been established around the world in nearly 60 countries, with innovative own brands, renowned retail brands, great ideas and a lot of energy. With over 250 employees, the MBG Group currently generates over € 200 million and, every year, more than a million hectolitres are produced. The portfolio in Germany includes 12 own brands and 6 retail brands (from non-alcoholic drinks to low proof drinks to wines & spirits) for 90,000 customers.

“Our recipe for successful brands is the mixture of passion, conviction and knowledge of the market. If all goes well, names and products become new worlds which consumers love. Success is not always predictable, which means that courage is needed above all. The right moment has to be found and hard work put in, just like with a hit single: some are one hit wonders while others become classics.” Little can be added to this definition from Managing Director Andreas W. Herb. From the MBG Group headquarters in Paderborn, a great deal of expertise makes successful brands, tailored to the respective target group and the market segment. Many brands that are well known on shop shelves and in the gastronomy sector have played a role in the history of the company.

Participation in the World Spirits Award yielded gold for Dos Mas Nasty Nuts Shot.

Berentzen Group: 260 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.

Destilaria Levira: Unmistakable gin from Portugal

The Portuguese company is nearly 100 years old. In 1923, the production of grape marc began. Thanks to decades of experience, in 2014 the decision was made to create a first-class and unique taste experience. The result is a London Dry Gin with the memorable name Adamus, derived from the Greek word Adamas (‘invincible’). In 2015, for the first time a limited series of 4,448 bottles was manufactured; since then, every year only a limited number of bottles are produced. The bottles are designed so that they are on a par with the gin: as if they were diamonds. And the cork underlines the naturalness of this drink.

For Adamus’ special character, 86 different botanicals were tested and distilled using different proce-dures. From these, the 18 best were selected with an interesting peculiarity: it is the only gin with the Baga grape from the Bairrada region. Besides juniper, also hibiscus, orange, lemon, cinnamon, gin-ger, cardamom, mint, sage, lavender, rose petals and lemongrass are distilled separately in tradition-al copper vats in a steam infusion method and then mixed in the perfect proportions. With the Ada-mus Dry Gin the Destilaria Levira has produced an excellent gin which has made its way into the most exclusive bars and restaurants of the world – a strong drink for special moments.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Adamus Dry Gin.

Aeijst: Making gin an experience

Spelt Aeijst, pronounced ‘eye-st’ – the Styrian dialect word for the branches on which botanicals grow. It is actually a London Dry Gin, but the name Styrian Pale Gin describes its own special style. The simple design of the bottle is reflected in its taste: clear and pure, both inside and out. 25 years ago, Wolfgang Thomann discovered schnapps distilling. With an old copper vat, fruit from his own garden and a few helpers he distilled alcohol for the first time. Since September 2018 there has been a new production site in St. Nikolai im Sausal, with a distillery open for tours and rooms for events and tastings. The centrepiece of the former winegrower’s house is a 400-litre copper vat.

Aeijst Gin is stored for one year in a new French barrique from Vosges, and another year in a rum barrel (18-year-old rum). It is bottled into hand-blown and signed bottles from the Viennese glassworks Comploj, limited to 500 bottles. Following this classic barrel aged gin and some experiments, Aeijst Umbra was created, a new definition of gin. “For us it is the spirit par excellence. Made from organic botanicals and natural spring water, slowly distilled in small batches, and unfiltered. An interpretation that breaks with well-known gin tastes.” New to the product range is Aeijst Peat, the first of its kind in Austria. It is a gin made from juniper berries that were smoked over Styrian peat from the Garanas high moor in western Styria.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Aeijst Peat Gin (Spirit of the Year & World Spirits Award 2021).