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finch® Whiskydestillerie: Masterpieces from the high plateau of the Swabian Alps

Amidst unspoilt nature on the high plateau of the Swabian Alps, 700 metres above sea level, you can find one of the largest pot still distilleries in Germany, which produces 250,000 litres of whisky and 100,000 litres of other alcohol every year. The best ingredients come from their 350-hectare farm, where special grain varieties such as black emmer (also called the original grain), spelt, rye, barley, wheat and corn are grown. The unique natural landscape of the uplands with its special ecology and climate elicits exceptional qualities.

Hans-Gerhard Fink produced his first New Make in 1999. He is in charge of the entire production process which takes place on site. True to the maxim ‘From the field to the bottle’, finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and professional barrel management. Around 6,000 barrels in the whisky warehouse offer sensational combination and choice options, as well as the respective delivery readiness. In the meantime, 10 of the 14 whiskies are already eight, ten and even twelve years old, incomparable in Germany.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky DISTILLERSCHOICE Single Malt Sherry Cask and finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky DISTILLERSCHOICE Barrique R, and silver to finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky PRIVATEEDITION Single Malt 12 Years, finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky DISTILLERSCHOICE Single Malt Smoky and finch® Schwäbischer Hochland Whisky PRIVATEEDITION WM Whisky 2022.

Krater Spirits: 400 years of tradition in Nördling

In the year 1621, the Alerheim innkeeper Caspar Beck received the entitlement from the ruling count at Oettingen ‘to brew beer and to run a brandy house’. This inheritance was continued by the family and supplemented by a herb liqueur with ginger and peppermint, which was launched on the market in 2013. The name ‘Kraterfeuer’ (Crater Fire) is due to its warming pungency. In 2015, Bavarian Krater Noster Distilled Dry Gin was added, for which wild juniper berries from the wild heath Rieser Heide were used, selected by hand on the edge of the crater that was formed 14 million years ago with the impact of a meteorite.

Since 2020, there is also Full Moon Krater Noster Distilled Dry Gin, a homage to the Apollo astronauts who trained here in 1970 for their voyage to the moon. NASA had sent them to Bavaria to prepare them for their mission in similar geological conditions. The suevite rock in the Ries region was fby that meteorite‘s impact – like the moon craters visible from Earth. Therefore, the Full Moon edition was composed with wild juniper berries from the edge of the crater and beguiling moon plants such as sweet-tart meadowsweet.

Krater Spirits has become a family project involving everyone. Sustainability as forethought for the forthcoming generations is practised in everyday life: the energy for manufacturing the products and heating the buildings comes from renewable sources.

At the World Spirits Award, double gold was awarded to Kraterfeuer, gold to Bavarian Krater Noster Distilled Dry Gin, and silver to Full Moon Krater Noster Distilled Dry Gin.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.

Schwarze & Schlichte – Brand personalities from Westphalia

The family business Schwarze & Schlichte from Westphalia has been representing the highest quality spirits for the last 345 years with a distinct range of national specialities, regional traditional brands and successful international innovations. This top quality is based on a distilling tradition acquired over centuries which has been passed down over twelve generations. Even today, distilling and maceration still take place at the company’s own distillery where plenty of time and skill are invested. The selection and processing of the best raw materials and continuous control of the production process ensure a consistently high quality. One factor for success is the ongoing brand management in accordance with the specific requirements of the various brand personalities.

Three Sixty Vodka is one of the purest and mildest vodkas in the world. A fourfold distillation process ensures tangible softness and exceptional clarity while the purity of the vodka is all down to the time-consuming “Diamond Filtration” process: the finest filters are used, set with crystals like diamond dust, to remove even the smallest of suspended particles from the distillate. Even the packaging is unique: the facet-cut bottle of pure white shiny glass sets off this premium vodka to perfection. A black velvet label completes the sophisticated design.

The Grappa Bianca from Scavi & Ray is characterised by its full-bodied balanced flavour with powerful and intense aromas of marc. This crystal-clear brandy is soft and deliciously balanced thanks to the exquisite skill of the master distillery. The intense and fruity aroma is reminiscent of the sun-soaked vineyards in Italy.

Both products received a silver medal at the World-Spirits.