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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.

Berentzen Group: 250 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 2025, there was Gold for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin and Tres Países Premium Rum.

Rhum Rhum – Caribbean dreams

Marie-Galante, a small island in the French Antilles, was discovered by Columbus on his second journey on 3 November 1493 and has been named after one of his caravels: Maria-Galanda. The first French settlers came here in 1648 and began to cultivate sugar cane. New settlers then arrived from Italy a few years ago: master distiller Vittorio Capovilla, luxury goods importer Luca Gargano and rum producer Dominique Thierry from the Bielle distillery – a charismatic trio of characteristic people who had found themselves a new challenge.

Marie-Galante was also known as the “island of 100 windmills” in the heyday of sugar cane production in the 19th century. The towers of the windmills were previously used to press the sugar cane and are now just tourist attractions – although the modern Rhum Agricole is certainly causing a stir on the spirits scene. The experiment began in 2006 and underwent an extensive test phase.

This new rum is rich in substance and aromatic, yet lacks the usual caramel flavours. The rum is made using classic methods based on the juice of the sugar cane, yet using the latest technology: temperature-controlled fermentation over eight to nine days, the use of specially selected yeast, a double distillation process in copper pot stills, the avoidance of chemical additives and finishing in lightly toasted French barriques from Yquem. Master distiller “Gianni” Capovilla ensures perfectionism throughout thanks to his extensive experience.

A tip for enjoying the Rhum Blanc: serve in a chilled glass at room temperature as an aperitif, garnished with lemon zest!

Blanc: intensive flavour of sugar cane. Very complex and dense. Soft on the palate without the usual caramel texture. Aperitif; serve at room temperature, in chilled glasses, with lemon zest!

5th place in the rum category and classification as a “Master-Class Distillery”. Rhum Blanc Agricole, Rhum Bois Noble, Single Barrel Rhum Bois (Vieux), Rum Paille