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Gautier Mückstein: A high percentage liquor with a long history

As Austria’s first climate-neutral spirits’ manufacturer, Gautier Mückstein is an advocate for the safeguarding and smart use of valuable resources. Since 1880, this traditional business from Vienna has stood out with a constantly increasing, wide range of products. Spirits, liqueurs and a range of punch varieties are part of the assortment, but classics such as Inländer rum and brandy also promise quality, enjoyment and sustainability.

Over 130 years ago, Wilhelm Hauck started off with a small production hall for spirits, liqueurs and fruit juices in Vienna. Since being taken over by Wilhelm Mückstein in 1948 and the acquisition of the Gautier & Co company in Perchtoldsdorf in 1955, the company has been managed under the name Gautier Mückstein Getränke GmbH. The product range at that time already included various types of punch, liqueurs, vodka and Inländer rum. In 2003, Ing. Florian Mückstein took over the management of the beverage manufacturer. In 2007, Ellinger & Co. was successfully integrated into the company group and the product range expanded to include aromas, essences and raw materials for the food industry. Every year, approximately 700,000 bottles are filled.

In 2019, Gautier Mückstein launched the blossom series and the ChocoLat series. Hibiscus blossom, elderflower, rose blossom and lime put summer in a glass, while the chocolate liqueurs are available in the varieties of nougat, chilli, banana, mint, orange and pear.

The World Class Distillery 2021 (Distillery of the Year 2021 – Silver) received double gold for ChocoLat Mint, ChocoLat Orange (Spirit of the Year 2021), Marzipan Cream Liqueur (Spirit of the Year & World Spirits Award 2021), ChocoLat Chilli and Speculoo Liqueur, gold for ChocoLat Nougat, ChocoLat Banana and Coconut Liqueur, and silver for Amaretto Liqueur and Punschkrapfen Liqueur.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.

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.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has two top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery.

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 Daystar Premium Bourbon and Puca Irish Whiskey Small Batch, and silver for Boyle’s Raspberry Blush.