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Bimmerle: Know-how meets regionality and trend awareness

At the production site in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, this family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with focussed know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all the heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.

In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand. In order to make the ‘playground’ more interesting, the brand identity was modernised in 2024 and will be extended in 2025 by a fruit brandy range matured in wooden casks. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with WOOD STORK Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022. The Black Forest distillery has enriched the liqueur and aperitif market with as many as five exciting creations under the DON PASQUALE brand.

The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Gold for Don Pasquale Limoncello Liqueur, Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Wood Stork Spiced Rum, Lörch Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör (vanilla cream liqueur), Needle Gin Green, Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Liqueur, Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Liqueur, Don Pasquale Hazelnut Liqueur and Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör (Linzer tart cream liqueur). Silver was awarded to Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin, Needle Gin Rosé, Don Pasquale Pistachio Cream Liqueur, Lörch Bratapfel Sahnelikör (baked apple cream liqueur), Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (pear spirit aged in a wooden cask) and Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (apricot spirit aged in a wooden cask), and Bronze to Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (fruit spirit aged in a wooden cask).

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.

Manufaktur Jörg Geiger: Dedication and perfection – Swabian virtues

Jörg Geiger, autodidact and cook, discovered his fascination for meadow fruit and producing drinks with them at an early age at his parents’ family enterprise. This led to a deep passion when it came to old types of apples and pears, their cultivation and processing. Sustainable, nature-preserving work is what drives him as a constant motivation. His focus is on preserving healthy soil, ancient trees and traditional types, building a new appreciation for the harvest and making meadow orchard owners proud once more. He also conveys this in monthly YouTube videos.

All the products bear testimony to originality, craftsmanship and dedication. From alcohol-free to complex and even rather crazy recipes, there is something to suit every taste. The production facility has developed an exciting and varied spectrum of meadow fruit specialities through Swabian ambition and diligence, as well as through Jörg Geiger’s skills.

FRUCHTVOL. liqueurs as diverse as the seasons are new to the range. Double-distilled grape brandies are combined with fully ripe fruit and balanced by hand with herbs, flowers and spices. One can choose the spring-like cherry liqueur, refined with sloe, dandelion and elderberry. Or perhaps the summery quince liqueur, with hay flowers, acacia blossoms and garden herbs. There is also the autumnal blackcurrant liqueur, with lavender blossoms and coriander, followed by the intense wintery damson liqueur with cinnamon, cloves and star anise.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Fruchtvol. Johannisbeerlikör (blackcurrant liqueur), silver for Fruchtvol. Quittenlikör (quince liqueur), and bronze for Fruchtvol. Kirschenlikör (cherry liqueur).

Lovely Rita Spirits – With a clear concept for the future

The company Lovely Rita Spirits, based in Arizona, was founded by Ray Rita, Michael Meinerz and Bob Derks. All three have a soft spot for Latin American culture and lifestyle, run a website for the Latino community, and organise fashion shows with South American designers. So it is understandable that their focus is on the fashionable spirit, tequila. To support their activities, they have created a special brand, aimed at a predominantly progressive female audience.

The soft, balanced tequila is produced according to traditional methods in a distillery in Mexico, which has been there for 90 years. Flavoured with a touch of agave, the six times distilled vodka with a corn basis is produced and bottled in Arizona. Using the successful concept, more products will follow, such as tequila varieties with peach and orange.

In order to be able to concentrate on the further development of the brand products, they cooperate with one of the largest distributors in the USA, the Breakthru Beverage Group. In addition, the spirits are available at www.oldtowntequila.com. Brand Ambassador is the Armanetti Group – Frank Armanetti’s family was once the largest spirits dealer in Chicago.

“We as founders and our investors are convinced that, thanks to the quality of the product and the right sales channels, we have two of the three things we need. The rest is a bit of luck and a high enough turnover”, say Michael Meinerz and Bob Derks.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Lovely Rita Vodka, and silver for Lovely Rita Tequila.