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Kweichow Moutai: China’s ‘national schnapps’ on the rise

Baijiu is the most popular alcoholic drink in China and Moutai the most famous brand, with a similar status to vodka in Russia or tequila in Mexico. Its origins go back over 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Wu of Han. These days, the national drink is frequently served at official state banquets and is used as the official state gift. Its protected source is the village of Maotai in the Guizhou province on the banks of the Chishui, the Red River. These days, more than 30,000 tons of the 53 percent alcohol Moutai are produced. In cooperation with Camus, a limited edition was launched as an homage to the greatest poets: after Li Bai in 2013, Du Fu followed in 2018. The elegant bottle showing a painting of a poem is made from the finest porcelain.

Traditional methods are used for the distillation of regional raw materials: organic sorghum and wheat and the best water. Fermentation takes place at high temperatures. During the production process, which takes a year, fresh grain is added twice to the boilers, then several boiling and fermentation processes take place. Every batch of the distillate is separated according to age, production cycle and aroma. It then matures slowly in terracotta containers and, during the storage period of at least five years, develops a fine soya aroma. Master blenders make sure that the characteristic, full flavour is preserved. The secret lies in the humid climate, the water from the Chishui, as well as in the distillation technique and maturing period.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kweichou Moutai Du Fu Edition.

Stock Polska – Prestige products with history

Polmos Lublin (known today as Stock Polska) was founded by the industrialist Emil Plage in Lublin in 1906 and was able to survive both world wars and the communist state leadership. The company was nationalised in 1948 and re-privatised in 2001. It traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange until 2005 and was sold in 2006. The new owners, Oaktree Capital Management, purchased the spirits division from Eckes Stock in 2007 and thereby laid the foundations for the current Stock Spirits Group. The company has its headquarters in Luxembourg, its service centre in Great Britain and its production sites in the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland.

Stock dates back to the year 1884 when Lionello Stock founded a beverages business in Trieste. He purchased a distillery in 1920 in what is currently part of the Czech Republic with the aim of tapping into new markets. This was followed by distilleries, bottling plants and warehouses in Italy, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia. In the 1920s, Stock was one of the biggest companies of its kind in Europe.

After an absence of 70 years, Stock returned to Poland and began to manufacture at the historic site of Lublin, 150 kilometres south-east of Warsaw. Intensive investment led to the creation of the most modern distillery in Poland and a leadership position on the vodka market. Poland’s most popular flavoured vodka is produced here: Zoladkowa Gorzka.

Lots of Stock products are produced by traditional recipes. These classical brands appeal to connoisseurs all over the world. In return, work is constantly being done on innovations that correspond to modern tastes and new drinking cultures. Quality standards are constantly upheld in both areas, of course.

The quality of the products was recognised at the World Spirits Award with a gold medal for the Orkisz Spelt Vodka.

Château de Laubade: Armagnac in its purest form

The largest estate in the Armagnac region has been under the ownership of the Lesgourgues family for three generations. The Château is located at the heart of the prestigious Bas Armagnac region and was founded in 1870. It was purchased by the grandfather of the current owners, brothers Arnaud and Denis, in 1974. The family empire grew over the years to include various other vineyards (Bordeaux, Graves and Madiran). The Ugni Blanc (47%), Baco (30%), Colombard (15%) and Folle Blanche (8%) varieties are cultivated over an area of 103 hectares, forming a broad basis for the refinement of the various quality Armagnacs.

Here, the focus has been on sustainable cultivation for more than 40 years, and so some 600 sheep live on the estate, grazing between the rows of vines and providing plenty of natural fertiliser. More than 2,800 casks containing 430 litres are distributed among seven cellars. Only the best Gascony oak wood is used to make the 150 new casks required each year and these are produced at the company’s own barrel-makers. The ‘treasure chamber’ of this traditional company contains excellent products from more than 80 vintage years dating as far back as 1893. The ‘Methuselahs’ – distilled before 1930 – are stored in glass containers in a room that goes by the name ‘Le Paradis’. The ‘heavenly’ products made by this market leader are exported to more than 50 countries and are ambassadors for French lifestyle and culture.

This Master Class Distillery 2022 received gold for Château de Laubade Les Curiosités l'Enchanteur, Château de Laubade Intemporel 12 Ans Armagnac and Château de Laubade Cask Strength 2003, and silver for Château de Laubade Vintage 1973 and Château de Laubade Vintage 1982.

Kaufmann Spirits: Distilled in the mountains

“I’ve always had a passion for distilling schnapps and decided to perfect my skills of the trade by training to be a fine brandy sommelier.” Wolfgang Kaufmann’s first own distillates were first sold in 2014 and are now known and appreciated beyond the borders. Only single-variety fruits of top quality – cultivated naturally, harvested fully mature, selected and washed by hand – are processed into 100% distillates. The ‘aroma of the mountains, distilled in the mountains’ is reflected in Mountain Gin, Mountain Rum and Mountain Whisky. The name stands for its unique and somewhat rough touch – a special highlight among connoisseurs. Furthermore, there are liqueurs and spirits as well as fruit spreads.

In Mühlberg Rem people see themselves as ambassadors of good taste and offer guests a very special place with the first open distillery in Ellmau to look behind the scenes of distilling here. The brandies made here can also be tasted in a relaxed atmosphere whilst their properties are explained. It is especially important to Wolfgang Kaufmann to offer a special experience and to convey traditional drinking culture.

The World Class Distillery 2022 received double gold for Elsbeerbrand (wild serviceberry brandy), gold for Vogelbeere Holzfass (rowanberry from the wooden barrel), Traubenbrand Gelber Muskateller (grape brandy), Johannisbeerbrand (blackcurrant brandy), Mountain Gin, Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Weichselbrand (sour cherry brandy) and Weißbierbrand Holz (beer brandy, wood). Silver was awarded to Brombeerbrand (blackberry brandy) and Vogelbeerbrand (rowanberry brandy).