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Litchquor – Newly defined classics

Gold of Mauritius Dark Rum is a brilliant tribute to the beauty of the island in the Indian Ocean with its multicultural population and their traditions. The production of rum from local sugarcane molasses has a long tradition in Mauritius, dating back to the year 1800. With ‘Gold of Mauritius’, master blender Frederic Bestel wants to express the richness of the island: the breathtaking landscape with distinctive mountain peaks, fertile valleys and beautiful beaches – and the smiles of the people who live there.

The Dark Rum is a blend of various single distillates from the island, refined in an elaborate process which then reaches its harmonious and aromatic flavour after maturing. Only small amounts are produced at one time, monitored personally by the owner. In the production phases, elements and experiences from various sources are employed: for example, the production process from Central America and the barrels from South Africa. This mixture of influences matches the cultural diversity which can be found in Mauritius. Since its entry onto the market in 2014, the ‘new classic of the world of rum’ has achieved wide recognition. Even its bottle reflects how extraordinary the product is: an unusually shaped, heavy glass carafe with elegant gold embossing. Gold of Mauritius Black 48 Edition is an intense version of the classic, with 48% alcohol.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Silver for Heritage Selection Gold of Mauritius Black 48 Edition.

Schraml distillery in Steinwald – Craftsmanship in historical surroundings

Even hearing the list of the broad range of products makes you want to smell and taste all these delicious things: whisky, fine fruit brandies and the ‘Schraml Reserve’, beer brandies (‘Zoiglbrand’ is a patented speciality made from beer produced in the communities of the Upper Palatinate), spirits and gin, liqueurs and Christmas items.

Gregor Schraml represents the sixth generation in the old family business in Erbendorf. This kind of traditional craftsmanship requires a historical setting: the romantic and mysterious location is the ‘Alte Propstei’ (Old Rectory) in Erbendorf, a 12th century monastery (first mentioned in a document in 1150), whose cross vaults and underground corridors turn every event into something special. An experimental show distillery is being built, where experiments with berries, nuts and raisins will be conducted.

The landscape of the Steinwald nature reserve is craggy and densely wooded. Typical Upper Palatinate fruits such as juniper and elder grow on the meagre soil and the lonely corners of the Scottish Highlands spring to mind. It therefore comes as no surprise that whisky has secured itself a special place in the product range. According to Whisky Guide Deutschland (publisher of ‘Der Whiskybotschafter‘), the 10-year Single Grain Whisky Stonewood 1818 is the oldest known German whisky, making the company the oldest whisky distillery in Germany. Further varieties are the Stonewood Woaz (Single Wheat Malt, 5 years) and Stonewood Dra (Single Malt, 3 years).

Fruit, timber, experience and time – these ingredients are typical of this combination of tradition and modernity. The Schramls want to raise awareness of the superior quality of these products which result from patient, traditional craftsmanship and aim to teach consumers the value of slow enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, the distillery was classified as a First Class Distillery 2014 and received gold for the beer brandy, and silver for sloe, Mirabelle plum and gin.

Georg Hemmeter – XUXU, Escorial, SILLA EL FUERTE

Georg Hemmeter – strawberry drinks with exceptional flavour guaranteed

The name Georg Hemmeter – a company of the Underberg Group – stands for innovative spirits, in particular the XUXU range. The fresh and fruity strawberry drink contains 66 percent fruit plus crystal-clear vodka, rounded off with a dash of lime. The harmony between the sweetness of the fruit and just 15% alcohol by volume is created using a special production method. XUXU Ten, the little luxury in a 250 ml aluminium bottle with only 10% alcohol by volume, is dressed to party – it is still relatively new to the market, yet is already at home in all the world’s top party venues.
XUXU can be served in so many different ways: chilled, neat, on crushed ice, as a dessert topping, with sparkling wine or with other mixers – XUXU tastes heavenly and offers fresh and fruity pleasure. Welcome to Berrydise!

Initially the absolute top star in Greece, XUXU is now also number 1 in Russia, and extremely popular in Turkey and Italy too.


XUXU Strawberry & Vodka Drink and XUXU Ten won Gold at the World Spirits Award 2014.

Limomacher: Regionally produced – socially labelled

Limomacher is a young Bregenz enterprise, according to their own definition “excellent in graphics, design, customer service, lemonade production, social involvement and coffee drinking”. However, a look at the brief biographies of the four-person team reveals quite a bit about their wide-ranging qualifications. All lemonades are produced regionally in Vorarlberg according to their own recipes. Short pathways right up until labelling – also labels for private customers and companies on request – reinforce sustainability, along with filling exclusively in glass bottles. The labelling, as well as the whole warehousing, are handled by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, a support organisation for people with disabilities. This is an indication that social thinking has been of great importance from the beginning.

At the beginning of 2018, the ‘Franz von Durst’ brand started in Spar shops, followed by the start-up shelf at Metro. The company developed a gin along with a tonic water for this purpose, as the first manufacturer in retailing that offers both as a one-stop shop. The gin that is also regionally produced goes perfectly with the tonic water and its animating and aromatic concept offers an exceptionally fruity drinking experience. Aside from the juniper base, five further botanicals play a role: angelica root provides a slight tanginess and supports the homogenous taste; orange peel is characterised by a range of aromatic substances and a fine hint of citrus; liquorice provides a complex sweetness with a slightly earthy note; elderberry has an intensive and refreshing taste; and hops gives it a special something.

“We are delighted that the Vorarlberg locals have received our gin so well and that we can expand step by step also into other provinces,” say the two young entrepreneurs.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was achieved by Franz von Durst Gin, and silver by Franz von Durst Dry Gin Wild.