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2B Hemp Gin: Styrian gin experience

Two visionaries, Armin Breinl (doctor, drink creator, musician) and Wolfgang Thomann (gin maker), have created a completely new gin experience with real hemp powder: 2B HEMP GIN (inspired by AEIJST). On 17th November 2018, the two invited guests to the first tasting of 2B HEMP GIN in the AEIJST GIN distillery in St. Nikolai in the Sausal Valley.

Made from organic juniper berries, this innovative gin has an impressive, mild and fruity taste and a typical hemp note. Due to its unique aroma, it not only tastes good neat, but also creates a ‘wow’ effect in cocktails – as proven in the long drink Styrian Pale Gin AEIJST refined with 2B HEMP.

For thousands of years, hemp has been grown as a valuable plant, be it for rope, fabric, paper or as an active ingredient in ointments and tinctures. Hemp has always been highly valued for its medicinal properties, yet recently has been demonised as an addictive drug and has suffered under its ensuing prohibition, originating in the USA. These days hemp is regaining importance and is being used more as a luxury food as well as in medicine as a therapeutic agent.

The Lifestyle Trading company, run by Armin Breinl, is an innovative beverage producer, which is already known amongst trade professionals for its sugar-free ‘func- tional fruit drinks’. The drinks have a high fruit content (more than 50 per cent) and additional natural, vital substances and have an energising, relaxing and regenerative effect.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for 2B HEMP GIN.

Kweichow Moutai: China’s ‘national schnapps’ on the rise

Baijiu is the most popular alcoholic drink in China and Moutai the most famous brand, with a similar status to vodka in Russia or tequila in Mexico. Its origins go back over 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Wu of Han. These days, the national drink is frequently served at official state banquets and is used as the official state gift. Its protected source is the village of Maotai in the Guizhou province on the banks of the Chishui, the Red River. These days, more than 30,000 tons of the 53 percent alcohol Moutai are produced. In cooperation with Camus, a limited edition was launched as an homage to the greatest poets: after Li Bai in 2013, Du Fu followed in 2018. The elegant bottle showing a painting of a poem is made from the finest porcelain.

Traditional methods are used for the distillation of regional raw materials: organic sorghum and wheat and the best water. Fermentation takes place at high temperatures. During the production process, which takes a year, fresh grain is added twice to the boilers, then several boiling and fermentation processes take place. Every batch of the distillate is separated according to age, production cycle and aroma. It then matures slowly in terracotta containers and, during the storage period of at least five years, develops a fine soya aroma. Master blenders make sure that the characteristic, full flavour is preserved. The secret lies in the humid climate, the water from the Chishui, as well as in the distillation technique and maturing period.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kweichou Moutai Du Fu Edition.

Spezialitäten-Brennerei & Whisky Destillerie Liebl: Distilled with passion

The roots of the family business go back to the year 1935 and the small grocery store of grandmother Maria Liebl. Following the difficult war years, a wine and spirits trade was added to the business. In 1970, they began with their own production of traditional, regional specialities such as Bärwurz.

The purchase of a distillery in 1990, with the rights for distilling 300 litres, laid the foundation for the current technology. In January 2006, the first whisky distillery in the Bavarian Forest was created. In 2013, the product range was extended with Bavarian Dry Gin, Bavarian Premium Vodka and Bavarian Rum. As well as apple, pear and damson, the focus is on wild fruits such as wild cherry, yew, hawthorn and juneberry, but the repertoire also includes Sicilian blood orange and tangerine.

Tradition, nature, time and the desire to create something special are the principles on which top class spirits have been produced here for many years. Nature provides the benchmark and thus also the motivation for Gerhard Liebl to transform fully ripe fruit into ‘liquid diamonds of the art of distillation’ every year.

The World Class Distillery 2022 received gold for Williamsbirne Edition Lena (pear), Jahrgangsbrand 2020, Bergkirschbrand (cherry), Rote Williamsbirne (pear), Elsbeerenbrand (wild serviceberry), Spänlingbrand (plum) and Espressolikör (espresso liqueur).

Korn- und Edelobstbrennerei Schlitzer: Enjoyment backed by history

The foundation stone was laid in 1585 by Count Eustach von Schlitz, who first brewed beer in the little village of Sandlofs – today a district of the town of Schlitz. In 1616, a distillery was built next to the brewery, and then a good 100 years later a new building was constructed at the Auerhahn brewery, as it was called back then. It is documented that the Counts of Schlitz owned the distilling rights from 1732. Over centuries, grain spirit was made from regional wheat in this area. In the 1950s, the distillery was relocated to its present-day site, the former count’s sheep farm. In 1969, the Graf Görtz’sche Kornbrennerei along with the Karlshof was transferred to the ownership of the state of Hesse and was a state enterprise until 30 September 2006. In 2006, the town of Schlitz bought the company and founded Schlitzer Korn- und Edelobstbrennerei GmbH, with Schlitz (90%) and Hünfeld (10%) as stakeholders.

The product range is comprised of grain and fine fruit brandies, as well as fruit and herb liqueurs, and since the beginning of the 1980s also whisky. Managing Director Tobias Wiedelbach and his team continue to create the finest brandies at the same site, even though the head office and owners have changed. Many of the products draw on centuries-old recipes. The long-established distillery in the picturesque castle town is also a worthwhile tourist destination. Guided tours take you through the grain and whisky distillery, distillation, storage cellar, fine fruit distillery and bottling plant, showing the varied world of distilling. The outlet sales point has been newly designed, using original Schlitz barrels.

At the World Spirits Award, Milde Himbeere (raspberry) achieved gold, while Whisky Liqueur and Burgen Dry Gin achieved silver.