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b.gin: Puristic gin from the Traisental valley

It all started at a birthday celebration where the gift was a 2-litre table distiller – and two childhood friends decided to create a gin: anything other than classic, but rather charming and devoted to their homeland. Many botanicals come from the region: freshly plucked rosemary, lemons from their own trees, rosehips picked at temperatures below zero, lavender and much more from the family gardens. A week after the first starter, the mini distillery was put into operation. At the time, the two of them were in a COVID lockdown, so they tinkered and sampled in the cellar of the house. They soon found a name to suit the cause: Bernhard & Bernhard = b.gin.

Things then moved quickly. The table distiller was swapped for an 80-litre still and b.gin was presented on 1 May 2021. Pure enjoyment for every occasion, carefully distilled, unfiltered, filled by hand, matured in a clay bottle: b.gin – the classic, b.fresh – the fruity one, b.arrel gin – the unique one. Since then, the product range has been extended with additional gins and tonics. There is a big focus on the finalisation: high-quality labels, tags, ties, seals, attaching the cocktail umbrella, sealing wax. Sales are from the farm, in the online shop and in wine shops. Their home base is the Steyrer vineyard in Kuffern. The vintner Bernhard is the troubleshooter, as well as the attachment professional and distilling master, while Bernhard Dockner is the finder of ideas, printing master, refinement professional and also distilling master. They have pooled their creativity and know-how to create gins that are really fun.

At the World Spirits Award, double gold (World-Spirits Award 2023 & Spirit of the Year 2023) was awarded to b.gin Traisental, gold to b.gin fresh and silver to b.arrel gin.

Limomacher: Regionally produced – socially labelled

Limomacher is a young Bregenz enterprise, according to their own definition “excellent in graphics, design, customer service, lemonade production, social involvement and coffee drinking”. However, a look at the brief biographies of the four-person team reveals quite a bit about their wide-ranging qualifications. All lemonades are produced regionally in Vorarlberg according to their own recipes. Short pathways right up until labelling – also labels for private customers and companies on request – reinforce sustainability, along with filling exclusively in glass bottles. The labelling, as well as the whole warehousing, are handled by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, a support organisation for people with disabilities. This is an indication that social thinking has been of great importance from the beginning.

At the beginning of 2018, the ‘Franz von Durst’ brand started in Spar shops, followed by the start-up shelf at Metro. The company developed a gin along with a tonic water for this purpose, as the first manufacturer in retailing that offers both as a one-stop shop. The gin that is also regionally produced goes perfectly with the tonic water and its animating and aromatic concept offers an exceptionally fruity drinking experience. Aside from the juniper base, five further botanicals play a role: angelica root provides a slight tanginess and supports the homogenous taste; orange peel is characterised by a range of aromatic substances and a fine hint of citrus; liquorice provides a complex sweetness with a slightly earthy note; elderberry has an intensive and refreshing taste; and hops gives it a special something.

“We are delighted that the Vorarlberg locals have received our gin so well and that we can expand step by step also into other provinces,” say the two young entrepreneurs.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was achieved by Franz von Durst Gin, and silver by Franz von Durst Dry Gin Wild.

Roust Hungary: Affordable luxury on the spirits market

Roust was founded in 1992 by the Russian businessman Roustam Tariko and quickly developed into a leading business group in the sale of premium spirits brands. One of the world’s leading vodka producers, the company is present in more than 80 countries. Roust owns production plants and distribution centres in Hungary, Russia and Italy. The comprehensive portfolio includes the flagship vodka brands of Russian Standard, Green Mark, Parliament and Zhuravli.

Thanks to its extensive knowledge in sales and marketing and its commitment to responsible alcohol consumption, Roust Hungary has become the leading supplier on the domestic spirits market. The largest premium spirits company in Hungary also sells the Royal, Zubrówka, Russian Standard, Gancia, Grants, Jägermeister and Metaxa brands.

For years, Royal Vodka has maintained its position as the most popular and well-known vodka brand in Hungary, and also remains market leader in terms of volume and turnover. Royal Vodka is produced using natural ingredients, from the grain to the well water, which contributes to its mild taste.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Royal Original Vodka, and bronze for Royal Raspberry Liqueur.