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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.

Weingut Schneeberger: Gin from Southern Styria

At the Schneeberger vineyard in Southern Styria, wine has been produced since 1870, and is now in the hands of the family’s fifth generation. The excellent farmhouse tavern shows off the hosts’ many skills, with diverse regional products and homemade products of the highest quality. These range from farmhouse bread to dry-cured juniper ham. And gin is just the thing to go with it.

As well as traditional ingredients such as juniper, ginger, oranges, pepper and coriander, Styria Dry Gin also contains some very special regional botanicals such as Leutschach hops and Sausal lavender – a total of 27 different herbs, spices and fruits. Some of the ingredients grow in the herb garden on the estate, others grow wild in the countryside. Following several days of maceration, some botanicals are extracted during distillation in copper pots in order to give the gin its typical character. Following distillation, it is stored for a few weeks in stoneware containers. Finally, the gin is diluted to drinking strength with very soft spring water. So as not to endanger the complexity and fine aromas, it does not receive cold treatment, merely a rough filtration before being filled into bottles. “We are a Batch Distillery, which means that each batch that is distilled is bottled separately, without being blended. In this way, there are subtle differences from batch to batch,” explains Johann Schneeberger Jr.

The new Hansi Gin is classical and traditional and is stripped back to the essentials. It is based on ten botanicals, has slightly more alcohol and is perfect for gin & tonic.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Styria Dry Gin, silver for Hansi Dry Gin, and bronze for Williams Pear.

Casa Noble – The essence of the blue agave

Casa Noble premium tequilas are a part of Mexico, made from ripe, blue agaves (‘Agave tequilana F.A.C. Weber’), hand-picked in the hills of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. Only made in small batches, with traditional techniques, the results can be tasted in this notable trio: Casa Noble Tequila Crystal, Casa Noble Reposado Tequila and Casa Noble Tequila Añejo. Modern know-how is based on a handicraft art that has been passed down through seven generations, begun by the founder and Maestro Tequilero, Jose ‘Pepe’ Hermosillo, in the middle of the 18th century.

As a USDA Certified Organic Tequila producer, all rules and practices for sustainability must be strictly followed throughout the entire production process. The first step is the selection of the ripe agaves, which must comply with strict criteria in terms of water and sugar content. The fruit heart (‘piña’) is steamed in large ovens for 36 hours, to extract the sweet juice. After the fermentation process, distillation takes place, and at Casa Noble this means three times – once more than is usual. French Limousin oak barrels are used for maturation and storage. The result is a tequila which takes the spirit to new levels.

The products also performed at a high level at the World Spirits Award: with double gold for Casa Noble Joven, gold for Casa Noble Añejo, and silver for Casa Noble Crystal.