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El Negocio Tequila: An exciting combination of two worlds

El Negocio combines the expertise of a Napa Valley winemaker and the traditions of the tequileros in Jalisco to produce top tequila. The producer is committed to tried and tested methods, natural variations and craftsmanship. Master distiller Chava Rosales has a wealth of expertise that has been honed over three generations.

Mature Tequilana Weber agave from the mineral-rich Zona Valles is cooked in stone ovens, extracted using traditional techniques and processed in the open air with artisanal precision. After fermentation, the tequila is double distilled in a copper pot still and stored in stainless steel to preserve its purity. This tried and tested process takes into account natural variations and avoids additives, so that each harvest is a reflection of the essence of the agave, similar to vintages of fine wines. Aged varieties go into once-used French oak barrels from the renowned Memento Mori winery in Napa Valley, which were used to produce a 100-point Cabernet Sauvignon. In Jalisco, the barrels are medium-roasted and refilled with wine, which ensures depth and complexity. The finely grained French oak is perfect for enhancing the nuances that lovers appreciate in tequilas from the valley. El Negocio is proof of what tequila can be when craftsmanship and tradition merge: an authentic spirit that combines the nuanced restraint of winemaking with the unbridled spiciness of tequila.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for El Negocio Tequila Blanco and El Negocio Tequila Joven, and Silver for El Negocio Tequila Reposada.

Nordbrand Nordhausen: Special spirits from Thuringia

Nordbrand Nordhausen was founded in 1948 upon the ruins of four former Korn distilleries. The oldest, the Friedrich Degen distillery, goes back to the year 1776. Until 1990, formerly small distilleries were added on, including Brennerei Seidel. Today it is the traditional distillery of the well-known Echter Nordhäuser brand. Gins and caraway are distilled in this historical area. The famous Roggenkorn (rye) is made in a distillery that was built in the 1920s as a German spirits reutilisation centre and has also been part of Nordbrand Nordhausen since 1948.

The market leader in Germany in various segments has a wide product range (over 100 different variants). A line of premium spirits and premium liqueurs under the brand Echter Nordhäuser Traditionsbrennerei are distilled by hand. These include Feiner Alter Doppelkorn with at least three years of barrel maturation as well as Meisterstück, a Korn brandy (grain distillate) matured in the barrel for 25 years, which came onto the market in September 2020 as a one-off. The portfolio also includes various gins of the Echter Nordhäuser brand, including Violet Gin. A specific recipe was developed for this that merges a juniper distillate with one made of hibiscus, lavender and mallow blossoms. The harmonious brandy is rounded off with oranges and raspberries, which are added in an aroma basket for distillation. In this way, experienced Korn master distillers can always keep creating modern and fresh innovations.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to Meisterstück, and bronze to Violet Gin.

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.

Bimmerle: Know-how meets regionality and trend awareness

At the production site in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, this family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with focussed know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all the heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.

In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand. In order to make the ‘playground’ more interesting, the brand identity was modernised in 2024 and will be extended in 2025 by a fruit brandy range matured in wooden casks. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with WOOD STORK Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022. The Black Forest distillery has enriched the liqueur and aperitif market with as many as five exciting creations under the DON PASQUALE brand.

The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Gold for Don Pasquale Limoncello Liqueur, Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Wood Stork Spiced Rum, Lörch Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör (vanilla cream liqueur), Needle Gin Green, Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Liqueur, Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Liqueur, Don Pasquale Hazelnut Liqueur and Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör (Linzer tart cream liqueur). Silver was awarded to Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin, Needle Gin Rosé, Don Pasquale Pistachio Cream Liqueur, Lörch Bratapfel Sahnelikör (baked apple cream liqueur), Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (pear spirit aged in a wooden cask) and Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (apricot spirit aged in a wooden cask), and Bronze to Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (fruit spirit aged in a wooden cask).