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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.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

Fairytale Distillery: Gin as an affair of the heart

Thomas Gottwald and his team founded their Fairytale Distillery in 2018 in Ardelve, in the North West Highlands of Scotland, overlooking the lochs in the shadow of the mountains of the Isle of Skye. The heart of the distillery, the copper still, is located in a small witch’s cottage on an island in a pond.

Thomas’ collaboration with German botanists Martin and Stephan was to prove fruitful: within two years, the distillery achieved world-class status in 2020 for its handcrafted, exclusive gins that combine traditional ingredients with a subtle blend of locally available botanicals and herbs. An important component of the process is the use of spring water from the Brand Allt Mor na Dornie mountain stream. The combination of Martin and Stephan’s botanical expertise, Hans-Peter Schmidt’s copper still, Thomas’ attention to detail with the spring water is used to create the filtered and unfiltered gins that continue the success.

Some of the original gins were upgraded to Navy Strength versions; the higher alcohol content significantly improved both the taste and the aroma. Other versions have also been created, such as Classic, Oriental, Floral and Herbal Navy Strength. Two absinthe variants were added to the growing number of gins: the traditional La Fee Verte (green fairy) with an unconventional concept, and the La Fee Noire (black fairy), based on a wonderful recipe from the late 18th century.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for Highland Gin TOM and Navigator 57° 17', and Silver for The Dornie Dram and Highland Gin Infused Gin Red Fairy.