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Appenzeller Alpenbitter: An aromatic experience from the Appenzellerland region

In 1902, two Appenzeller locals, Emil Ebneter and Beat Kölbener, laid the foundation stone for Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG. They developed a natural product of excellent quality and with an incomparable aroma, even recommended as a medicinal product by doctors: Appenzeller Alpenbitter with 42 selected herbs. Only two people from the founding and owning family have access to the recipes and compose the necessary blends for further processing in the herb chamber. The original recipe of the most popular bitter in Switzerland is of course a well-guarded secret. Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG is an exclusively family-run business even today, founded in 1908 as the cooperative Emil Ebneter & Co. In 2006, it was renamed as Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG as a subsidiary of the Emil Ebneter & Co. AG holding.

Thanks to its consistent quality for decades, as well as accomplished marketing and wide distribution, Appenzeller Alpenbitter has become one of the strongest selling spirits on the Swiss market. The traditional product regularly receives awards – from the Exposition Internationale 1907 in Paris through today. The company values innovation and in recent years has added to the product range with various specialities with a prime focus on quality, care and the use of natural raw ingredients. In addition, Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG manufactures licensed products for reputable foreign suppliers and is the general representative in Switzerland for other spirits.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Appenzeller Alpenbitter, GIN 27 Appenzeller Dry Gin, Amarno Amaro Alpino, Abbacella Apéritif Orange and Abbacella Apéritif Menthe.

Brennerei Habbel: A taste of tradition

This fourth generation family business is now run by Michaela Habbel. Tradition combined with technology allows products to be developed here that meet the highest demands. Following old recipes, Korn (grain distillate) is distilled here which, depending on the product, matures for up to twelve years in selected barrels, such as the V.S.O.P. or XO Korn brandy. The portfolio also includes liqueurs made from herbs or fruits which are percolated, decocted and distilled on their own.

Ten different distillation devices are used for the diverse product range and guarantee the continual production of delicious flavours. Vacuum distillation, traditional pot still distillation as well as column distillation offer plenty of scope for product innovations and product development. Since 1978, homegrown fruit has also partly been processed into brandies and spirits. Product developments, tastings, workshops and, of course, distiller training courses are all part of day-to-day life here. At the beginning of 2014, the Hillock Park Distillery was opened, named after the company’s established Hillock Whisky products. The new building offers the most innovative technology and a splendid pot still with its accordingly designed high-speed steam generator. The capacity of 1,700 litres ensures that large amounts can be handled without becoming industrial.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Hillock 6 Single Malt, Westside distilled dry Gin and Casa de la Primavera Rum, and bronze for Hillock 5 3/4 peated Single Malt.

Diageo – From London to the whole world

Approximately 33,000 employees are employed worldwide at Diageo, the market leader in premium spirits, with Smirnoff (vodka), Johnnie Walker (whiskey), J&B (Scotch whiskey), Baileys (liqueur), Captain Morgan (rum), Cuervo (tequila) and Tanqueray (gin), Guinness beer and branded wines. Production takes place all around the world: from Great Britain and Ireland, Italy, Spain and Africa, to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, India and the Caribbean. The global corporation emerged in 1997 from the merger between Guinness and GrandMet. 180 markets around the world are handled from its London headquarters.

A lot of work and lots of attention to detail go into creating the in-depth product descriptions on Diageo’s website. Information and analysis is provided about issues ranging from detailed descriptions of the production down to the most minute ingredients. Finally, they are aware of the size of their company and also of their responsibilities as a supplier of alcoholic products. The name Diageo was also deliberately chosen – it represents their agenda. Put together from ‘dia’ (the Latin word for ‘day’) and ‘geo’ (the Greek word for ‘world’), it means that every day people are celebrating all over the world with products from their company. These products open up possibilities never dreamed of for special days and nights, marking special life events and even making the smaller things in life feel magical.

Participation in the World Spirits Award was magical: there was double gold for Tanqueray No. 10 (Spirit of the Year 2016), gold for Gordon’s London Dry Gin and Tanqueray London Dry Gin, as well as silver for Tanqueray Rangpur.

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.