World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Kweichow Moutai: China’s ‘national schnapps’ on the rise

Baijiu is the most popular alcoholic drink in China and Moutai the most famous brand, with a similar status to vodka in Russia or tequila in Mexico. Its origins go back over 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Wu of Han. These days, the national drink is frequently served at official state banquets and is used as the official state gift. Its protected source is the village of Maotai in the Guizhou province on the banks of the Chishui, the Red River. These days, more than 30,000 tons of the 53 percent alcohol Moutai are produced. In cooperation with Camus, a limited edition was launched as an homage to the greatest poets: after Li Bai in 2013, Du Fu followed in 2018. The elegant bottle showing a painting of a poem is made from the finest porcelain.

Traditional methods are used for the distillation of regional raw materials: organic sorghum and wheat and the best water. Fermentation takes place at high temperatures. During the production process, which takes a year, fresh grain is added twice to the boilers, then several boiling and fermentation processes take place. Every batch of the distillate is separated according to age, production cycle and aroma. It then matures slowly in terracotta containers and, during the storage period of at least five years, develops a fine soya aroma. Master blenders make sure that the characteristic, full flavour is preserved. The secret lies in the humid climate, the water from the Chishui, as well as in the distillation technique and maturing period.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kweichou Moutai Du Fu Edition.

2B Hemp Gin: Styrian gin experience

Two visionaries, Armin Breinl (doctor, drink creator, musician) and Wolfgang Thomann (gin maker), have created a completely new gin experience with real hemp powder: 2B HEMP GIN (inspired by AEIJST). On 17th November 2018, the two invited guests to the first tasting of 2B HEMP GIN in the AEIJST GIN distillery in St. Nikolai in the Sausal Valley.

Made from organic juniper berries, this innovative gin has an impressive, mild and fruity taste and a typical hemp note. Due to its unique aroma, it not only tastes good neat, but also creates a ‘wow’ effect in cocktails – as proven in the long drink Styrian Pale Gin AEIJST refined with 2B HEMP.

For thousands of years, hemp has been grown as a valuable plant, be it for rope, fabric, paper or as an active ingredient in ointments and tinctures. Hemp has always been highly valued for its medicinal properties, yet recently has been demonised as an addictive drug and has suffered under its ensuing prohibition, originating in the USA. These days hemp is regaining importance and is being used more as a luxury food as well as in medicine as a therapeutic agent.

The Lifestyle Trading company, run by Armin Breinl, is an innovative beverage producer, which is already known amongst trade professionals for its sugar-free ‘func- tional fruit drinks’. The drinks have a high fruit content (more than 50 per cent) and additional natural, vital substances and have an energising, relaxing and regenerative effect.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for 2B HEMP GIN.

Badel 1862: Number one on the Croatian market

Badel 1862 is the largest and oldest producer of spirits in Croatia and the market leader in all categories of alcoholic drinks in Croatia, as well as the whole Adriatic region. This accolade testifies to the quality of the products and the preservation of the rich tradition that is also reflected in the name of the company, coupled with innovations that keep pace with new trends. The portfolio comprises more than 100 products, including brandies, liqueurs, gin and vodka.

The flagship of the portfolio and the most widely sold herb liqueur of the Adriatic region is the traditional Pelinkovac. The secret lies in the original manufacturing process: according to an old recipe, in which a selected mix of herbs is crowned by ‘pelin’ (in Latin, Artemisia absinthium). The ‘rising star’ is Antique Pelinkovac, with its recipe from the founding year of 1862. Originally a medicinal drink, today it is part of the traditional gastronomy.

The most widely sold Hrvatska Stara Šljivovica made from the local plum type Bistrica and matured in Slavonian barrels, is a ‘signature drink’ with cult status. The special character of the Badel Hrvatska Stara Šljivovica Premium Selection is defined by a selection of distillates from different barrels. The Badel Prima Brand Black has been appreciated for generations alongside the original recipe for special wine distillates that are matured for 15 years in Slavonian oak barrels.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Badel Prima Brand Black and Badel Pelinkovac Gorki, and silver for Hrvatska Stara Badel Šljivovica, Antique Pelinkovac and Hrvatska Stara Badel Šljivovica Premium Selection.

Milano Dry Gin – As clear and structured as ice

Milan’s first real London Dry Gin has an unusual name: Giass – which means ice. Five friends who enjoy meeting up for an aperitif in the evening are behind it: Andrea and Simone Romiti, Richard D'Annunzio, Francesco Niutta and Francesco Braggiotti. The simple, time-honoured ritual is the same as the process that turns clear water into a structured block of ice – transparent and brilliant in its recurring irregularity. This idea would eventually lead to a very individual gin.

Within the framework of the EXPO 2015, Andrea and Simone worked on a project on wine, food and quality drinks. Richard, a passionate barman who likes to spend his time creating new drinks, joined them. For gin-based cocktails he turned his kitchen into a lab, the dishwasher became an improvised ‘distillery’, where he ‘brewed’ herb extracts in 30 minutes at 65 degrees. So the idea emerged to produce their own gin – and they bought a 3-litre distillation flask.

In search of the botanicals, the friends decided on 18 ingredients: juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, dried apple, dried orange peel, rose petals, camomile flowers, violet flowers, orange blossom, hibiscus flowers, ground almonds, mint leaves, fennel seeds, lemon verbena, cardamom seeds, lemon balm, cinnamon and thyme. The gin is sold in an elegant, screen printed bottle, inspired by the floors of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for London Dry Gin.