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Brennerei Vallendar: The highest distilling standard for over 30 years

Manufacturing theory is put into practice here. No product gets into a bottle without the involvement of Hubertus Vallendar. He is devoted to what he distils – his creations are more than spiritualised nature, they are spiritual naturalness. He is a perfectionist when it comes to distillery. His distilling method is his own highly modern concept. Hubertus Vallendar stands for innovation and excellent products. He devises new recipes with imagination and dedication. This is a task that poses new challenges for each natural product.

The careful selection of raw materials focuses particularly on the local region. The red Saturn peach grows right on their doorstep in the idyllic Moselle valley, as well as Riesling grapes for the best pomace and yeast brandies. In addition, fine fruits are purchased from the best growers in Europe, and exotic products are imported from around the world: tea and coffee, juniper and mango, ginger and bananas. They value sustainability and personal contact with producers. The variety is the broad basis for a remarkable palette of fine brandies, spirits, gourmet sprays, liqueurs, gins and whiskies, which are regularly the focal point of exclusive degustations.

The World Class Distillery 2025 received Double Gold for Orangengeist (orange) and Ingwergeist (ginger), and Gold for Anisgeist (aniseed, 100% star anise), Zitronenmyrtegeist (lemon myrtle), Haselnuss Piemont Spirituose (hazelnut) and Schwarzer Johannisbeergeist (blackcurrant).

Destillerie Kammer-Kirsch: Specialities from the Black Forest

The Kammer-Kirsch Distillery originated in a testing and training distillery in Baden, with the aim of positioning the Black Forest Kirschwasser on the market as a new quality product. In 2012, the 100th birthday of this speciality was celebrated in Karlsruhe.

In 2020, the gourmet series was relaunched with barrel-stored fruit brandies. In addition, there is Black Forest Dry Gin which follows a recipe from the 1950s. A speciality of the product range is the Squamata vodka made from apples. Black Forest App is distilled according to a gin procedure based on an apple brandy with berries and botanicals.

Black Forest Rothaus Single Malt Whisky led Kammer-Kirsch to be distinguished as ‘Germany’s Best Whisky Distillery’ in 2011, 2012, and 2015. The special editions are also excellent; in 2019, they released a Highland Cask aged at 1,000 metres above sea level in Black Forest oak casks. In 2020, Chardonnay Cask Finish and the first ten-year-old Black Forest Rothaus Single Malt followed. Pinot Noir Cask was added in 2022, from Pinot Noir casks of the Franz Keller winery. In 2023, the special editions Amarone Cask and Peated Cask Finish were launched, a rum and a brandy called Craftwork from different types of wooden barrels, as well as a herb liqueur. In 2019, for the first time, a new whisky of the Bird of Prey brand was created in cooperation with Bauernkirsch GmbH from Baden. Together, they developed a malt whisky, which was launched under the brand family of Black Forêt, in 2023.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Black Forest Rothaus Single Malt Whisky Amarone Cask and Craftwork Herb Liqueur, and silver for Black Forêt Malt Whisky.

Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

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

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.