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Roust Hungary: Affordable luxury on the spirits market

Roust was founded in 1992 by the Russian businessman Roustam Tariko and quickly developed into a leading business group in the sale of premium spirits brands. One of the world’s leading vodka producers, the company is present in more than 80 countries. Roust owns production plants and distribution centres in Hungary, Russia and Italy. The comprehensive portfolio includes the flagship vodka brands of Russian Standard, Green Mark, Parliament and Zhuravli.

Thanks to its extensive knowledge in sales and marketing and its commitment to responsible alcohol consumption, Roust Hungary has become the leading supplier on the domestic spirits market. The largest premium spirits company in Hungary also sells the Royal, Zubrówka, Russian Standard, Gancia, Grants, Jägermeister and Metaxa brands.

For years, Royal Vodka has maintained its position as the most popular and well-known vodka brand in Hungary, and also remains market leader in terms of volume and turnover. Royal Vodka is produced using natural ingredients, from the grain to the well water, which contributes to its mild taste.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Royal Original Vodka, and bronze for Royal Raspberry Liqueur.

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.

Soul Surfer: Deep Dry Gin

Soul Surfer Gin is a premium dry gin that is distilled and bottled in Germany. The powerful alcohol content of 52 per cent by volume guarantees a high degree of purity and leads to a ‘harmonisation and soothing of the alcoholic sharpness’. This leads to a mild taste sensation: classic, yet modern and refined. The aromas of selected botanicals such as lime, rosemary and mint are a fresh counterpart to the aromatic juniper note.

Soul Surfer Gin was already available on the German market in a similar form for a few months in 2017 and was marketed by an acquaintance. Their preference for gin moved Christopher and Franz-Josef Severin to take over the business themselves. From mid-2018 on, Soul Surfer Gin was overhauled with the help of the Brauweiler fine fruit distillery and (re)entry onto the market was made in mid-2019 – with success, as can be seen and tasted.

At the World Spirits Award, Soul Surfer Gin was awarded gold.

Halewood Artisanal Spirits: Networked global presence

The manufacturer of artisanal spirits based in Great Britain boasts a highly awarded product range and is one of the leading independent distillers in the country, with over 950 employees. The brands are still family-owned and have a global presence, sold in 75 countries. The key markets are South Africa, Russia, Canada, Australia, China and Germany. The company develops, acquires and expands high-quality spirits brands worldwide, showing great competence in distillation, sales, marketing, traditional retailing and e-commerce.

Halewood owns and manages eleven main distilleries and a craft brewery, ten bars and an e-commerce enterprise, The Drop Store, present in Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Australia, South Africa and the USA. Halewood Artisanal Spirits owns distilleries for whisky, gin, vodka and rum, as well as a brewery. Customers include high-end luxury hotels, drinks wholesalers, supermarkets and food retailers. A wide international sales team is present on the markets, also external from the company.

The First Class Distillery 2022 received gold for Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum 37.5%, Dead Man’s Fingers Black Rum 40%, JJ Whitley Vodka Artisanal Vodka, JJ Whitley Vodka Artisanal Gold Vodka and Whitley Neill Connoisseur’s Cut Gin. Silver was awarded to Whitley Neill London Dry Gin, Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin, Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin, Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger, JJ Whitley Vodka Blue Raspberry, Crabbie’s Yardhead Single Malt Whisky, Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey, Samuel Gelston’s Single Malt Irish Whiskey and Samuel Gelston’s Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.