World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa

Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.

Levante Spirits: Tuscan gin from the amphora

The idea for the company Levante Spirits was born in Florence, inspired by the wind of the Levant, which in the past led many explorers into exotic worlds and promoted the trade of goods. This is evoked by the Old Sailor Coffee Liqueur, a drink based on rum, which recalls Adriatic seafarers at the end of the 18th century. Today it is all about innovative impulses for spirits according to traditional recipes – based on the conviction that what is truly novel can only be made using regional resources.

The navy-blue London Dry Gin is made exclusively from organic raw ingredients of Tuscan origin. The wheat for the basic alcohol comes from Mugello to the north of Florence, while the juniper – ginepraio which literally means ‘juniper thicket’ – comes from three different regions, along with coriander, angelica root, orange and lemon peel, strawflower and briar rose. The distillation in a specially constructed still is followed by a six-month refinement in environmentally friendly containers: handmade amphora from cocciopesto, a raw material made of recycled materials. It was already known in ancient Rome as a building material for baths and aqueducts. The mix of ground bricks, clay, sand, spring water, cement and natural reinforcement fibres displays a remarkable porousness after weeks of natural hardening – perfect for the refinement of texture and taste.

At the World Spirits Award, double gold was awarded to Ginepraio Amphora Navy Strength (Spirit of the Year 2022), as well as gold to Ginepraio Organic Tuscan Dry Gin.

Distillerie Meunier – Aromatic specialities from the south of France

The Meunier company is more than 200 years old and was founded in 1809 by Charles Meunier, a botanist from the region of Dauphiné in the Alps of Southern France. The distillery lies in the foothills of the Vercors mountain range, where many businesses have characterised the history of French spirit specialities over generations. Meunier has built on this experience too, concentrating on the manufacture of spirits based on plants and fruits.

The trademark is the traditional herb liqueur, Génépi, from the genepi or spiked wormwood (Artemisia genipi). Based on the core skill of artisanal production, a London Dry Gin was also introduced to the product range. The alcoholic base comes from beetroot, which is mixed with a balanced mixture of twelve plant extracts. The result: a refined composition with a fine aroma.

On a guided tour, visitors can find out many facts about the distilling history of the region, about the Meunier family, about the raw materials, and about the secrets of liqueur production. At Easter and before Christmas, there are also many varieties of chocolates available in addition to the spirits.

At the World Spirits Award, the jury decided the gin was worthy of a gold medal.