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United Spirits Limited – A market leader in India

Whisky, brandy, rum, gin and vodka are the flagship products of USL, the largest spirits company in the world. Its history dates back to the 19th century and the country’s British-influenced history. In addition to its 100% subsidiaries Whyte & Mackay and Bouvet Ladubay, brands such as McDowell’s, Bagpiper, Dalmore, Jura, Black Dog, Signature, Antiquity, Royal Challenge, DSP Black, Director Special, Old Tavern, Haywards, No.1 Brandy, Honey Bee, McDowell VSOP Brandy, No.1 Celebration Rum, Old Cask Rum, Pinky Vodka, Romanov Vodka, White Mischief Vodka, Vladivar Vodka and Four Seasons are also part of the comprehensive portfolio. More than a million cases from 22 of the approximately 140 brands in total are sold each year.

Over 165 awards in international competitions emphasise the high quality of the products: Mondial, International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), International Spirits Challenge (ISC), World Beverage Competition (WBC), Monde Selections, Mundusvini, International Taste & Quality Institute (ITQI), Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI), The Scotch Masters, Vodka Masters England, etc.

USL is a true innovator, as in the case of the first ‘pre-mixed gin’. It was also a pioneer of spirits sold in cardboard cartons in India and produced the first Single Malt in Asia to be based on the Scottish tradition and the first ‘diet versions’ of whisky and vodka in India. The company’s products are exported to 37 countries across the world, and in India itself, distilleries and sales offices are distributed across the country, encompassing a team of over 7,500 people. A well-equipped Technical Centre was established in 1989 where scientists from different fields work on quality assurance and innovation – chemists, microbiologists, biotechnicians and nutritional experts. Top quality standards for the numerous production sites are also developed here.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for the White Mischief Ultra Pure Vodka.

Leardini Liquori Artigianali – When fairytales come true

The Leardini family flies the flag when it comes to persisting at keeping old production techniques alive and taking the time to allow nature to take its course. This is neither nostalgia nor fanaticism, but experience and a dash of craziness in the face of an ‘everything now’ mentality in our fast-moving age. For this reason, the traditional, limited-production liqueurs contain neither artificial flavourings nor colours.

Everything began four generations ago, as the young Domenico, a skilled shoemaker, moved away from San Leo in the historical Montefeltro region to try his luck in Switzerland. There he fell in love with a girl with blond plaits, called Barruell. She made sure there was always enough schnapps in the cold workroom, and every now and then she would ‘forget’ a bottle of his favourite liqueur there. The young man only spent one winter in Switzerland, as his family needed him. When he returned to San Leo, he discovered the recipe for the liqueur in his jacket pocket, which Barruell had slipped in when saying goodbye. As an old man, he told his nephews that the liqueur had the fragrance of the girl’s lips. “Call it Barruell”, he said to his son Antonio, and gave him the recipe. After the war, Antonio’s son, Leonardo, decided to try to make a small amount to earn a living – in 1958, he produced 25 litres of alcohol, but things got better and better. Until the age of 87 he dedicated himself to the production of liqueur, and wanted his nephew Mauro to carry on the old tradition which he had followed over 60 years. Mauro complied with his wish and resumed production in the small workshop as his uncle Leonardo had done – and Barruell is still around today ...

The First Class Distillery 2018 received gold for Sambuca, Elixir Espresso Italiano, silver for Ariminum and Eremus, and bronze for Barruell.

Jim Beam Distillery – Bourbon straight on

Knob Creek is named after a rivulet in Kentucky, the home of President Abraham Lincoln. His steadfast attitude seems to serve as an example for this straightforward bourbon. The square ‘chemist’s bottle’ suits these traditional values perfectly, as does the striking label which is reminiscent of the old tradition of wrapping bottles in newspaper. To this day, a mixture of experience and craftsmanship is the recipe for success for the bourbon from Knob Creek.

The bourbon was at the peak of its success in 1919, when the nationwide prohibition of the sale, manufacture and transport of alcohol began – lasting until 1933. Following this, a new start was impossible for many distilleries; others couldn’t finance the customary long maturing process of the bourbon. This situation motivated Booker Noe to revive the traditional bourbon style from the time before the prohibition: rich in aroma, with discreet sweetness due to year-long maturation in strongly ‘toasted’ wooden barrels from American white oak. In 1950, he joined the family business – his mother was the daughter of Jim Beam, which meant bourbon was already in his blood – and completed his training as Master Distiller. With the small series of premium bourbon he launched, the term ‘batch’ (small) was established and revolutionised the industry. His son, Fred Noe, continues with this clear strategy: “I learnt the business from scratch, listened to my father and learnt on the job. I know what it means to make perfect bourbon. Each bottle is a reflection of my family.” Since 1992, the Knob Creek brand has represented these values with the perfect combination of tradition and top quality.

A golden trio was successful at the World Spirits Award: Knob Creek Rye Whiskey Small Batch, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon and Knob Creek Straight Bourbon.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.