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Bros. J. & M. Ziegler – The art of distillation at the highest level

In Baden-Württemberg’s Freudenberg, in the idyllic landscape on the Main loop near Miltenberg, real craftsmanship takes place at the Ziegler fine fruit distillery. Everything is done with dedication and esprit – from the fruit harvest to labelling the bottles. With this special demand for quality, they have succeeded in rising to become one of the leading distilleries in Germany. These days, every connoisseur knows the name Ziegler, and the fine brandies, spirits, liqueurs, whiskies and fruit vinegars they produce.

A milestone in the 1980s was the introduction of the fine brandy Wildkirsch Nr. 1 (wild cherry), which at the same time was their foot in the door to star-rated cuisine. With cask-aged brandies and 3-litre bottles, in the following years they established themselves on the German gastronomy scene. In 2008, there followed Aureum – the first single malt whisky from Untermain, a homage to the history of the distillery, which originally began as a brewery. In the meantime, the series includes 1865 5 Year, Aureum 1865 Cask Strength, Aureum 1865 Grave Digger Edition and Aureum 1865 Grave Digger – The Bruce (both developed in cooperation with the heavy metal band ‘Grave Digger’), Aureum 1865 Chestnut Cask, Aureum 1865 Whisky Liqueur and Limited Edition Aureum 1865 Cognac Ferrand. Since 2015, a gin has been on the market, in the classic bottle as well as the metal platinum edition, a limited edition of only 3,000 units.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Saturn peach liqueur (World Spirits Award 2018 & Spirit of the Year 2018), gold for Alte Zwetschke (damson) matured in wooden barrels, Aureum 1865 Cognac Ferrand (Limited Edition), silver for Ziegler Nr. 1 wild cherry brandy 2005 limited, and bronze for mAin Kräuterlikör (herb liqueur).

Distillery Krauss: Delicious spirits from the Koralpe

At the foot of Koralpe in St. Martin im Sulmtal lies Distillery Krauss. What started in 2007 in a small garage in Schwanberg developed into an international spirits producer from 2018 at the new location, now with five employees. It has made a name for itself globally especially for gin, marking Austria on the gin world map. In addition, other top products such as rum, whisky, apple brandy and aniseed spirit have been awarded worldwide, rounding the product range off perfectly.

Amongst everything that is undertaken in the successful enterprise, some ‘cornerstones’ have emerged over the years as the most important values: a wide product range, concentration on the essentials, enjoyable moments, expertise and quality. For the fine brandies, there is an emphasis on single barrel filling at barrel strength. Despite the size of the company, individual gin productions are nevertheless still made according to customer wishes. The pot still at the old location is available for this, which is otherwise used for testing purposes and new developments – such as the first Austrian BIO Hard Seltzer.

The World Class Distillery 2022 OBB (Distillery of the Year – Gold & World Spirits Award 2022), World Class Distillery 2022 GIWO (Distillery of the Year – Gold & World Spirits Award 2022) and First Class Distillery 2022 BILI collected, alongside double gold for Saffron infused Dry Gin (Spirit of the Year 2022) and Zwetschkenbrand (damson brandy) (World Spirits Award 2022 & Spirit of the Year 2022), a further nine gold medals and four times silver.

Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.

Berentzen Group: 260 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.