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KOFEYOK: Homage to Viennese coffee house culture

The idea in 2019: a perfect New Year’s Eve drink that could be enjoyed all year round. The pilot project in 2020: a one-woman small enterprise as a one-stop shop for everything from the recipe to the end product, including social media, marketing and sales. The ‘witches’ kitchen’ – or small production site – is located in the Favoriten district in Vienna and focuses on high-quality liqueurs on the basis of coffee and tea. To guarantee exceptional taste in an authentic form, the best ingredients are processed by hand in small batches. The small, very refined product range has a look and taste to be proud of.

The coffee liqueur HERR HOFRAT has an impressively subtle smoky and chocolatey tang, coupled with nutmeg. It has a fine sweetness and is slightly caramelly with a lingering finish, like a strong espresso. It is best pure or as a ‘zest’ for traditional tiramisu and summery affogato. The black tea liqueur HERR BOTSCHAFTER is characterised by strong Ceylon black tea and a pleasant hint of citrus. Full-bodied and down to earth, it is delicious in summer chilled with ice or hot by a cosy fireplace on cold days. The third in the aromatic collection is the hibiscus blossom tea liqueur FRAU GRÄFIN, which gives the range a fruity je ne sais quoi – a novelty in this form. With its authentic aroma, soft vanilla and mild hint of citrus in the finish, it refines every cocktail and is enchanting alongside champagne.

On request and in close consultation, handmade coffee liqueurs with a special type of coffee are also created for customers. The result of such a taste journey is a personal secret recipe.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Herr Hofrat Coffee Liqueur and Black Tea Liqueur.

Schraml distillery in Steinwald – Craftsmanship in historical surroundings

Even hearing the list of the broad range of products makes you want to smell and taste all these delicious things: whisky, fine fruit brandies and the ‘Schraml Reserve’, beer brandies (‘Zoiglbrand’ is a patented speciality made from beer produced in the communities of the Upper Palatinate), spirits and gin, liqueurs and Christmas items.

Gregor Schraml represents the sixth generation in the old family business in Erbendorf. This kind of traditional craftsmanship requires a historical setting: the romantic and mysterious location is the ‘Alte Propstei’ (Old Rectory) in Erbendorf, a 12th century monastery (first mentioned in a document in 1150), whose cross vaults and underground corridors turn every event into something special. An experimental show distillery is being built, where experiments with berries, nuts and raisins will be conducted.

The landscape of the Steinwald nature reserve is craggy and densely wooded. Typical Upper Palatinate fruits such as juniper and elder grow on the meagre soil and the lonely corners of the Scottish Highlands spring to mind. It therefore comes as no surprise that whisky has secured itself a special place in the product range. According to Whisky Guide Deutschland (publisher of ‘Der Whiskybotschafter‘), the 10-year Single Grain Whisky Stonewood 1818 is the oldest known German whisky, making the company the oldest whisky distillery in Germany. Further varieties are the Stonewood Woaz (Single Wheat Malt, 5 years) and Stonewood Dra (Single Malt, 3 years).

Fruit, timber, experience and time – these ingredients are typical of this combination of tradition and modernity. The Schramls want to raise awareness of the superior quality of these products which result from patient, traditional craftsmanship and aim to teach consumers the value of slow enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, the distillery was classified as a First Class Distillery 2014 and received gold for the beer brandy, and silver for sloe, Mirabelle plum and gin.

Berentzen Group: 260 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.

Tradition Mexico – Tequila without compromises

The friends behind Padre azul, the new tequila in the premium segment, stand united on one matter: their passion for Mexico. “We appreciate high quality tequila, and with Padre azul we are bringing an exclusive product to Europe. We searched for the perfect distillery for a long time. At Tres Mujeres in Jalisco in the highlands of Mexico we found what we were looking for.” 100% Mexico – 100% handcraft – 100% agave.

These requirements and quality criteria apply to the whole production process, which is why each bottle also wears the sought-after quality seal from the Mexican authorities, “Consejo Regulador del Tequila” (CRT). There were no compromises when it came to the design of the bottles: they are made by hand and adorned with a 270g skull which represents the skull culture of Mexico.

Padre azul is available in three grades of maturity, depending on the length of storage. The Añejo usually spends eighteen months in French oak barrels to achieve a mature, full-bodied taste. The Reposado needs at least eight months in barrels for its subtle vanilla tone. The Blanco is a clear tequila which is bottled straight after distillation – it is soft and mild in taste. None of the three need salt or lemon – you can enjoy them neat. True to the motto: no compromises.

At the World Spirits Award, the trio was very successful: there was double gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul anejo, gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul reposado, and silver for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul blanco.