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Fuchshof – Product diversity from Lake Constance

Fruit is cultivated in the third generation at the Fuchshof Farm on the shores of Lake Constance near Constance, these days on around 25 hectares. The fruity diversity includes apples, pears, cherries, damsons, strawberries, blackcurrants, raspberries and gooseberries. Recent test plantings with apricots, peaches and nectarines are also of excellent quality. Fresh fruit is sold in the farm shop on site, but also processed in many ways: the range includes more than 20 different jams, fruit spreads and jellies, juices and ciders, cakes and gateaux from the farm cake shop – and, of course, brandies, spirits and liqueurs.

One focal point of production are the classic fruit brandies of the region, such as Obstler (fruits), Williams Christ (pear) or Apfelbrand (apple brandy); the specialities include pear brandy made exclusively from the fruit from the surrounding orchards, as well as a wooden barrel aged apple brandy made with the Rubinette variety. Brand-new in the wide range of products is the Dry Fox Gin, with herbs from the region and fruits from the farm. This gin was Benjamin Fuchs’ final project in his training as fine brandy sommelier. His brother Florian and father Heinrich are also trained fine brandy sommeliers.

The farm has had distilling rights since 1928. Originally, they were dedicated to agriculture and dairy farming, but since 1978 the traditional farm ceased to exist and made room for fruit growing. The first strawberries were planted and, in 1984, the first orchard was planted. And, since the end of the 1980s, the farm shop with its wide range is an attractive address for connoisseurs.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for the new product, Dry Fox Gin.

APQ-Spirits – Fine products in a fine design

APQ-Spirits was founded in 2016 by Werner Krauss, the master distiller of Feindestillerie Krauss. The aim of the small, friendly company is to produce spirits with the addition of essences. Thus a clear distinction is made to the parent company, in which only 100% distillates and spirits are manufactured. The abbreviation APQ stands for ‘Austrian Premium Quality’ – and that is what the produced spirits should be. The focus lies on the development and implementation of new product ideas, for the in-house label as well as for other brands.

The first APQ product was a Dry Gin, which, following distillation, was spiked with essence of rose – like Hendrick’s Gin – to ‘materialise’ the wonderful scent of roses. This clear, fresh gin carries the name Rose Garden, and the special label was put to canvas by painter Herbert Forstner from Lower Austria using the techniques of old masters and then digitalised. A hazelnut spirit is the starting point of their own line of spirits with well-known and new flavours.

At the World Spirits Award, the premiere was awarded two gold medals: one for APQ Hazelnut, and one for Rose Garden Dry Gin.

2B Hemp Gin: Styrian gin experience

Two visionaries, Armin Breinl (doctor, drink creator, musician) and Wolfgang Thomann (gin maker), have created a completely new gin experience with real hemp powder: 2B HEMP GIN (inspired by AEIJST). On 17th November 2018, the two invited guests to the first tasting of 2B HEMP GIN in the AEIJST GIN distillery in St. Nikolai in the Sausal Valley.

Made from organic juniper berries, this innovative gin has an impressive, mild and fruity taste and a typical hemp note. Due to its unique aroma, it not only tastes good neat, but also creates a ‘wow’ effect in cocktails – as proven in the long drink Styrian Pale Gin AEIJST refined with 2B HEMP.

For thousands of years, hemp has been grown as a valuable plant, be it for rope, fabric, paper or as an active ingredient in ointments and tinctures. Hemp has always been highly valued for its medicinal properties, yet recently has been demonised as an addictive drug and has suffered under its ensuing prohibition, originating in the USA. These days hemp is regaining importance and is being used more as a luxury food as well as in medicine as a therapeutic agent.

The Lifestyle Trading company, run by Armin Breinl, is an innovative beverage producer, which is already known amongst trade professionals for its sugar-free ‘func- tional fruit drinks’. The drinks have a high fruit content (more than 50 per cent) and additional natural, vital substances and have an energising, relaxing and regenerative effect.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for 2B HEMP GIN.

LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.