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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.

Edelbrandmanufaktur Wilhelm Marx – Luxurious products from Gut Bärenhof

Deep in the Bavarian Forest lies the idyllic farm belonging to the Marx family. Only founded in 2012, the fine brandy manufacturer was able to establish itself in the expert world within a very short space of time. Wilhelm Marx, qualified fine brandy sommelier, has concentrated on innovative products, without neglecting regional classics – which have, of course, been newly interpreted. This means that rather unusual ingredients, such as ginger and lemongrass, stand alongside local strawberries, dried pears and dandelion petals. The secret of their success is easily explained: passionate handicraft, meticulous procedure and the will to experiment.

As a passionate connoisseur, Wilhelm Marx, together with his wife Birgit, has achieved his dream: delicious distillates with natural ingredients, without flavourings, colourings or preservatives. Since August 2017, the products have been certified as ecological products and thus ‘ORGANIC’ according to the Council Regulation on organic production.

The Gut Bärenhof farm itself is a natural oasis, which could hardly be more beautiful. It provides ripe fruits such as quince, rosehip, sloe and elderberry, which are carefully processed by hand in small batches. Even the fresh ginger from Asia is peeled by hand and carefully processed.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Sicilian Organic Blood Orange, gold for Coffee Spirit and GIN BayernDry, silver for Organic Wild Raspberry, Hierbas del Bávaro Bosque, Blackcurrant, Elderberry, Organic Wild Blueberry, GIN infused by Elderflower, Espresso Liqueur and GINGERLIQ, and bronze for Artichoke Bitter and Genziana d‘Oro.

TEG: Beer and whisky with more life and history


Technikum Extrakt Getränke (Technical Centre Extract Drinks) is the company’s full description. The force behind it is Lava Bräu, a small, excellent manufacturer of brewed and distilled drinks in the Styrian Vulkanland region. They are setting new benchmarks both in brewing and distilling. Carefully selected, organic ingredients and the close involvement in the production process create tasteful beers that are neither filtrated nor pasteurised.

Whisky mashes are also made in the brewery. Lava Bräu produced Austria’s first organic single malt and is breaking new ground in barrel maturation, for which white wine and red wine barrels from regional winegrowers are used, as well as cherrywood and mulberry wood barrels. Lava Bräu pays special attention to sustainability: the precious bottles are adorned with stoppers made by carpenters.

Bio-Brisky is a standalone product. Its manufacture is based firstly on processes from strong beer brewing, and secondly on traditional fruit brandy production, technologically optimised and adapted to suit the requirements of fine malt. It is whisky made according to the bourbon tradition and has been organic since 2012. After barrel maturation, over 60 per cent of the corn distillate is combined with volcanic well water and Single Malt Brisky. Since 2009, the fine whisky specialities have been distilled in a vacuum. This gentle handling of the mash ensures its unique fruitiness.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Bio-Brisky, Bio-Whisky matured in rum barrels and Smokie Torfrauch Whisky.