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Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

Beim World-Spirits Award 2025 gab es Gold für Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey, Dúchas Irish Whiskey, Silver für Ardfallen Triple Cask Whiskey, Boyle‘s Sloe & Damson Gin, Dolmen Honey Moonshine.

Nordic Gin House: Unique Nordic gins for the growing global market

With more than 37 years of experience in wine and spirits production, Jakob Vallentin has excellent product and market knowledge and a comprehensive network of significant entrepreneurs at his disposal. In 2017, he founded Nordic Gin House with the high aspiration of creating the most popular Nordic gin concept in the world. With his record of successes in the implementation of activities that generate income and volume, he is responsible for the company’s strategic development. The branded products can be found in more than 30 markets today.

Nordic Gin House is a cooperation of the best local distilleries with the most renowned sommeliers, master distillers and mixologists – with different backgrounds, but all with the same ambition: to get the very best out of Nordic distilling traditions. Showing due respect for their gin heritage, every Nordic Gin House product conveys its uniqueness, relating to its origin by using regional raw materials and processing them with the aim of achieving the highest, purest quality.

Since København Klassisk Gin and København Klassisk Lounge Gin received awards in every competition in which they participated, it’s time to build on these successes with new gin creations: as a perfect choice for enjoyment – neat, on the rocks, with tonic water or in a cocktail.

København Navy Strength Gins belong to the category of ‘strong gins’, because in contrast to ‘normal gins’ they need to have a minimum alcohol strength of 57%. They are a homage to the old seafarer tradition in a modern version.

The bottle is inspired by traditional chemist’s bottles, a high-class, unmistakable look which captures Denmark’s simplicity and minimalist design heritage.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for København Klassisk Navy Strength Gin.

The Sweet Potato Spirit Company: Spirits from the sweet potato

Everyone knows the sweet potato as a side dish to a juicy steak, but who would think of it as a basis for a high-quality spirit? First, someone has to have the idea, and then they have to somehow raise this rather ‘modest’ root vegetable to a higher level. To give the orange pulp a fiery character, a few ‘tailor-made’ ingredients are needed, of course. This British company in Worcestershire produces spirits with spirit. Each product starts its journey on the farm, where only the best sweet potatoes are harvested by hand. In further processing, the experienced distillation team combines the methods passed down through generations with modern techniques. The wide-ranging product range impresses even the most discerning of gourmets.

For the mild Moonshine (with which everything began), vanilla, peach and apricot peel and a dash of caramel blend well. For the aromatic Spiced Rum, ginger and lemon blossom create the freshness, then cherry and peach round it off. The exhilarating Orange Gin Liqueur combines London Dry with cane sugar and orange zest. The fruity Raspberry Gin Liqueur is juicy with a delicate raspberry aroma. The Lavender Gin Liqueur has a distinctive character of freshly picked lavender. The London Dry Gin is characterised by fresh juniper notes with a touch of coriander. The smooth vodka gets a gentle aroma with vanilla and a hint of lemon. There’s no doubt that the colourful spirits are also fun to mix.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Gin Krishna, and silver for Espresso Rum Liqueur and Honey Moonshine Liqueur.