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Rhum Rhum – Caribbean dreams

Marie-Galante, a small island in the French Antilles, was discovered by Columbus on his second journey on 3 November 1493 and has been named after one of his caravels: Maria-Galanda. The first French settlers came here in 1648 and began to cultivate sugar cane. New settlers then arrived from Italy a few years ago: master distiller Vittorio Capovilla, luxury goods importer Luca Gargano and rum producer Dominique Thierry from the Bielle distillery – a charismatic trio of characteristic people who had found themselves a new challenge.

Marie-Galante was also known as the “island of 100 windmills” in the heyday of sugar cane production in the 19th century. The towers of the windmills were previously used to press the sugar cane and are now just tourist attractions – although the modern Rhum Agricole is certainly causing a stir on the spirits scene. The experiment began in 2006 and underwent an extensive test phase.

This new rum is rich in substance and aromatic, yet lacks the usual caramel flavours. The rum is made using classic methods based on the juice of the sugar cane, yet using the latest technology: temperature-controlled fermentation over eight to nine days, the use of specially selected yeast, a double distillation process in copper pot stills, the avoidance of chemical additives and finishing in lightly toasted French barriques from Yquem. Master distiller “Gianni” Capovilla ensures perfectionism throughout thanks to his extensive experience.

A tip for enjoying the Rhum Blanc: serve in a chilled glass at room temperature as an aperitif, garnished with lemon zest!

Blanc: intensive flavour of sugar cane. Very complex and dense. Soft on the palate without the usual caramel texture. Aperitif; serve at room temperature, in chilled glasses, with lemon zest!

5th place in the rum category and classification as a “Master-Class Distillery”. Rhum Blanc Agricole, Rhum Bois Noble, Single Barrel Rhum Bois (Vieux), Rum Paille

Fine Blankeneser Goods: Unity of quality and design

The intertwining traditions of trade and seafaring in the history of the Blankenese district of Hamburg were the inspiration for dedicating a gin to the ‘Jewel of the Elbe’. With the burgeoning East India trade, gin was part of the catering for seafarers, because the high alcohol content prevented the drink from spoiling during longer journeys – unlike beer or water.

Fabian Rohrwasser, distilling master at the ‘Feingeisterei’ at Gut Basthorst manor, developed the ‘Blankeneser’ recipe. Herbs and spices are used that came to Hamburg in the 17th century on merchant ships. The Premium Dry Gin is characterised by a sweet ginger tartness and a distinguishing bitter note. The aromatic support for the juniper is provided by the fruity, tart bouquet of orange peel, orange blossom and lavender, whilst coriander and Ceylon cinnamon produce a hint of spicy wood. Cardamom and green ginger together with angelica root and meadowsweet ensure the finish.

Fine Blankeneser Goods GmbH was founded in April 2018. The founder, creative head and brand ambassador is Sabina Pech. The company produces high-quality gifts and souvenirs in the areas of spirits, drinks and luxury foodstuffs. The packaging and design are important distinguishing factors, alongside the high quality. The elements are all interwoven and tell local stories. The bottle labels are based on illustrations that are enhanced every year to appeal also to collectors – all creations by Sabina Pech.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for Blankeneser Premium Dry Gin.

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.

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.