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Kamiki Drinks: Japanese spirits with cult status

Kamiki Drinks is a multinational company with its headquarters in Amsterdam which markets top spirits from Japan. Gin comes from the Kishi Kumano Distillery in Wakayama. The company is part of the leading manufacturer of alcoholic drinks, Plum Food Co., which can already look back on more than 50 years of experience.

The finest spring water is used for the Sakaki Craft Gin range from a region which is known as the land of the Gods. The evergreen Sakaki tree is known in Japan as a holy plant and is used in religious ceremonies. As a world first it has now also been selected as a botanical for a gin, and this is where the name comes from. As well as Sakaki, juniper berries, coriander seeds, caraway, star anise, pimento, cloves, cinnamon, lemon peel, pepper, lavender, bay leaves, wasabi, ginger and others are also used.

One other spirit rarity that has made its way to Europe via the distributor Yoshino Spirits in Osaka is Umiki Whisky. Inspired by Japan’s respect for nature and the ocean as the source of life, local malt whiskies were blended with grain whiskies from around the world, before being mixed with filtered seawater and refined in Japanese pine barrels – in Japan, the pine tree is a symbol of life.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Umiki Ocean Fused Whisky, and silver for Sakaki Gin.

Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.

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.