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Bienenhof Pausch: Uncompromisingly fanatic enjoyment freaks

Beekeeper Helga Pausch and fine brandy sommelier Albrecht Pausch are a likeable and skilled pair. Since 1996 their bee farm has followed ecological guidelines, with about 230 bee colonies, a distillery, a winery and a vinegar factory. 150 quince trees, 500 wild fruit trees, some old wild cherry trees and a young plantation with 800 fruit trees complete the ensemble. Fruit brandies and rare fine brandies from special honeys are produced in the distillery.

The basis for the distillates are various types of honey or ecologically cultivated fruit. Fine aromatic honeys are used for honey wines and liqueurs without any additives. The Pausches are also purists when it comes to their fine brandies and spirits – no added sugar, no flavourings, only 100% pure distillate. In the fermenting cellar with temperature-controlled fermentation tanks, they don’t use sulphuric acid in the fermentation of the fruit mash, which strictly follows guidelines from Bioland, the largest organic food association in Germany.

“We have dedicated ourselves to fine nuances, rather than the bold and robust. We offer fine spirits with delicate fruity components.” They are made using a traditional double distilling procedure and the finished spirits mature in a vaulted cellar until they are reduced to drinking strength. Some are also offered unfiltered, which means more typical aromas, tastes, and complexities.

The Master Class Distillery 2021 was awarded double gold for Vogelbeerbrand (rowanberry) obtained through maceration and distillation (World Spirits Award 2021), gold for Edelbrand Sauerkirsche (sour cherry), Edelbrand Wahlsche Schnapsbirne (pear), Edelbrand Löhrpflaume (plum) and Brombeerbrand (blackberry) obtained through maceration and distillation. It was awarded silver for Himbeerbrand (raspberry) obtained through maceration and distillation, Schwarze Johannisbeere (black currant), Edelbrand Rote Williams (pear) and Shyravalli Honigbrand (honey brandy matured in a barrel).

Zwack – Hungary’s number one

Hungary’s ‘national drink’ Unicum was first produced in 1790 by a doctor to the royal court of Emperor Joseph II. This was the start of a success story which continues to the present day. The company was founded in 1840 and József Zwack & Co. established itself as a renowned manufacturer of beverages, exporter and purveyor to the court around the turn of the century.

In World War II, the factory was destroyed and after reconstruction in 1948, it was nationalised under the Communist regime. The Zwack family lost everything and had no choice but to leave Hungary and flee to the USA – along with the secret recipe for Unicum. In 1988, during the communist era, Peter Zwack (a representative of the fifth generation) was the first entrepreneur to return to Hungary and re-bought the distillery. A year later, Hungary was the first country in Eastern Europe to experience the fall of the Iron Curtain and the borders were open again.

In 2008, Peter Zwack handed the management of this family business on to the next generation following two decades of successful work building up the company. His son Sandor is the new chairman and his youngest daughter Izabella is a member of the company management. Today, Zwack along with his flagship product Unicum (a reclaimed cultural possession of the country) and other exceptional products have been classed as a “truly outstanding company” (Forbes Magazine).

This also confirms the company’s success at the World Spirits Award: Zwack was classified as a First Class Distillery 2012 and there were three golds for the Kalinka Vodka, Zwack Unicum and Unicum Szilva.

Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.

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.