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Shede Spirits: Spirit of China

Shede Founder’s Tribute is the result of a partnership between Camus International and the Chinese spirits manufacturer Shede Spirits, a leading company in the premium Baijiu segment. Production takes place in the southern Chinese province of Sichuan, in a well-maintained ecology park where the traditional Tai’An workshop is located, a part of Chinese culinary heritage – the oldest fermenting pits date back to the Ming Dynasty.

Cyril Camus lived in China in the middle of the 1990s, where he got to know Baijiu. Convinced of the potential of the ‘national spirit’, he launched Kweichow Moutai on the market. The search for new taste profiles signified the birth of the brand ‘Spirit of China’ and Shede was chosen – Founder’s Tribute is its international debut.

In the selection of the raw ingredients – sorghum, rice, sticky rice, wheat, barley and maize – sorghum, the main component, provides the characteristic aroma while the others add complexity and round it off. After the harvest, the grain is steeped and steamed with hot water to open the husk. After cooling, qu is added to aid in fermentation. Fresh grains are pressed into bricks with qu and stored in warm cellars, where microbial cultures flourish. After the fermentation, the grains are removed in layers and distilled by steaming. The basic spirit matures in terracotta containers and is then mixed with 15-year-old vintage Baijiu. In accordance with the principle of ‘sacrifice to gain’, 98% of the raw distillate is sacrificed to preserve the essential 2%. The largest reserve of premium Baijiu in the world is stored in the maturation cellars – over 120,000 tons.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Sichuan Strong Aroma Baijiu – Shede Founder’s Tribute.

Likörfabrik Busch – Glass factory for Killepitsch and Co

Through the glass facade you can watch live as the Düsseldorf Killepitsch herb schnapps is made. 24 hours, day after day – and illuminated at night. “We planned from the beginning that there would be something exciting to see from the outside”, company boss Peter Busch says about his ‘bottle parade’. The herb schnapps has been around for 60 years, the liqueur factory since 1858, previously for many years in the Old Town, until due to a lack of space it was moved to the Medienhafen harbour. Two things were important during planning stage: the production as a presentation and energy efficiency, which is why the new building is six stories high. On 5,500 square metres there are two filling lines, one of which is fully automated.

The classic Killepitsch contains essences from 98 herbs, berries and fruits from all over the world, such as caraway, gentian root and bitter orange. The ingredients are mixed together in liquid form and matured for six weeks at 20 degrees in 20 stainless steel tanks, which hold around 700,000 litres; then the schnapps is stored for a year in old clay pots. As well as this ‘genuine Düsseldorf speciality’, Gin Pitsch Düsseldorf Dry Gin is produced, which is characterised by 18 natural botanicals and citrus fruits. The designer bottle shows the imposing Düsseldorf skyline. The third of the Düsseldorf trio is Applepitsch, a fruity liqueur made from citrus fruit distillates and the juice of untreated apples, gently combined with Vodkapitsch.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Ginpitsch and Killepitsch, silver for Applepitsch.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

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.