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Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.

Caribbean Spirits Limited: Small batches from the Caribbean

Eike Lauff, an international chef with various branches of his parents’ restaurant around the world, from Germany to Canada and the Caribbean, has been involved in the spirits sector since 2015. At the heart of his idea is the principle of only using local tropical fruits from the island of St. Lucia to produce Caribbean spirits. What began as a hobby quickly gained in popularity, especially on the local tourist market.

The raw material comes from island farmers as well as from private gardens belonging to islanders with surplus seasonal fruit. Handmade small batches from one copper pot still are currently available in six varieties: four Eau de Vie, a vodka made with taro, a starchy tuber, and a gin, made with juniper berries and a selection of local botanicals.

Caribbean Craft Distilling is currently only marketed in St. Lucia, and Eike Lauff works with the retailer Island Mix Café/Craftstore in the Rodney Bay Community for all spirits. Many hotels, restaurants and resorts, including Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Coco Palm Resort, already appreciate the variety and quality of the products.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Five Finger Gin and Taro Vodka.

Dry Fly Distilling – Spirit specialities from Spokane

Once upon a time … is how fairy tales begin, but also the success story of a distillery. While fly-fishing at the Gallatin River in Montana in 2005, Kent Fleischmann and Don Poffenroth bought a bottle of vodka which was said to be one of the best in the world at that time. Disappointed by the quality, they decided they could do it better and founded their own business in Spokane in 2007 – incidentally, the first distillery in Eastern Washington since the days of Prohibition. Their aim was to produce high quality vodka, gin and whiskey by hand, which conveyed the naturalness and purity of the region.

The company name refers to the newcomers’ passion for fly-fishing, both of whom come from large companies and bring their experience, especially in marketing, with them to the already flourishing business. With a focus on sustainability, they process regional white winter wheat and barley malt from Washington, as well as botanicals and water from Spokane. In the tradition of small, craftsmanship-orientated corn distilleries, they aim to become one of the largest producers of small series of vodka, gin and whiskey, and recently also bourbon.

Their efforts to produce top quality were soon rewarded, first at a successful show at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition in 2009: here, the vodka won double gold in a panel of over 200 competitors and the title ‘Best in Show’. In 2013, the entire range won awards at the Diego International Spirits Competition.

At the World Spirits Award, Dry Fly Distilling also landed a fine catch: there was gold for gin and bronze for Dry Fly Barrel Reserve Gin.