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Fleret Fruit – Fruitiness from the Czech orchard

Fleret is a recognised manufacturer of a broad range of fruit distillates such as damson schnapps, Williams pear schnapps, pear schnapps, apricot schnapps or cherry liqueur. More than 500,000 bottles a year are produced in Frenštát pod Radhoštem in North Moravia. The product range includes over 40 different products with an alcohol content between 30 and 50% vol. On the international market, the company established itself with the premium line, which also brought them awards at the renowned World Spirits Competition in San Francisco and International Spirits Challenge in Great Britain. In 2013, the company started with a range of redesigned distillates, with the aim of improving awareness of the products on the market.

Turku Distillery: Enthusiasts on the way to an ideal vodka

Two engineers, Tapio Järvenpää and Jari Varjo, came up with the idea of their own vodka as they were sailing through the Turku archipelago. They felt that there were not enough handcrafted vodkas and that the market was going in the wrong direction with more and more filtering methods. They wanted a vodka where they could easily say what it consisted of and how it was made. “Charcoal belongs to the barbecue, sand to the beach, silver to the table, platinum to the catalytic converter and diamonds to jewellery. None of these are required for making vodka, unless mistakes are made in the selection of raw materials or in the production process.” With the engineers’ love of precision, the bar was raised high. Along with acquaintances from various professions – Pasi Kuronen, a foodstuffs and marketing professional, Sami Halinen, an IT and process technician, and Petteri Rosenberg, a gastronomy expert and retailer – they founded the company in 2020.

Kaiho Single Estate Organic Vodka is a handcrafted, unsweetened, unfiltered organic vodka from the southwest of Finland. The entire production takes place within their own facilities. From the outset, their own vodka with a 96% basis was produced: SSWB (Spirit of Southwest Breeze) made of local organic winter wheat, ground on-site, mashed and fermented, and then distilled in a high-quality 20-step column still. It is diluted to 40.2 percentage by volume with crystal clear water from a natural spring 50 kilometres away. Production is climate-neutral; with emission-free electricity, heating through an organic power plant and the processing of by-products to organic energy.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to Kaiho Single Estate Organic Vodka.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

Berentzen Group: 260 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 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.