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Kweichow Moutai: China’s ‘national schnapps’ on the rise

Baijiu is the most popular alcoholic drink in China and Moutai the most famous brand, with a similar status to vodka in Russia or tequila in Mexico. Its origins go back over 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Wu of Han. These days, the national drink is frequently served at official state banquets and is used as the official state gift. Its protected source is the village of Maotai in the Guizhou province on the banks of the Chishui, the Red River. These days, more than 30,000 tons of the 53 percent alcohol Moutai are produced. In cooperation with Camus, a limited edition was launched as an homage to the greatest poets: after Li Bai in 2013, Du Fu followed in 2018. The elegant bottle showing a painting of a poem is made from the finest porcelain.

Traditional methods are used for the distillation of regional raw materials: organic sorghum and wheat and the best water. Fermentation takes place at high temperatures. During the production process, which takes a year, fresh grain is added twice to the boilers, then several boiling and fermentation processes take place. Every batch of the distillate is separated according to age, production cycle and aroma. It then matures slowly in terracotta containers and, during the storage period of at least five years, develops a fine soya aroma. Master blenders make sure that the characteristic, full flavour is preserved. The secret lies in the humid climate, the water from the Chishui, as well as in the distillation technique and maturing period.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kweichou Moutai Du Fu Edition.

Tradition Mexico – Tequila without compromises

The friends behind Padre azul, the new tequila in the premium segment, stand united on one matter: their passion for Mexico. “We appreciate high quality tequila, and with Padre azul we are bringing an exclusive product to Europe. We searched for the perfect distillery for a long time. At Tres Mujeres in Jalisco in the highlands of Mexico we found what we were looking for.” 100% Mexico – 100% handcraft – 100% agave.

These requirements and quality criteria apply to the whole production process, which is why each bottle also wears the sought-after quality seal from the Mexican authorities, “Consejo Regulador del Tequila” (CRT). There were no compromises when it came to the design of the bottles: they are made by hand and adorned with a 270g skull which represents the skull culture of Mexico.

Padre azul is available in three grades of maturity, depending on the length of storage. The Añejo usually spends eighteen months in French oak barrels to achieve a mature, full-bodied taste. The Reposado needs at least eight months in barrels for its subtle vanilla tone. The Blanco is a clear tequila which is bottled straight after distillation – it is soft and mild in taste. None of the three need salt or lemon – you can enjoy them neat. True to the motto: no compromises.

At the World Spirits Award, the trio was very successful: there was double gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul anejo, gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul reposado, and silver for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul blanco.

Mamont Vodka – The spirit of adventure

The exclusive Mamont Vodka was presented in Austria for the first time at the Vienna Opera Ball in 2016. Its development was not brought about thanks to market research, but rather thanks to two spectacular adventures to the lands of eternal ice. When twelve brave men had to make an emergency landing at the South Pole in 2001, they were only able to escape their icy prison due to their irrepressible will to survive – and because they were able to warm themselves with vodka. Only a year later they attracted more attention on their next adventure. The ice of the Siberian tundra had released a massive mammoth tusk. They started an expedition immediately and, together with scientists, they were able to retrieve an 18,000-year-old mammoth. To pay homage to this symbol of Siberia they decided to produce a vodka that would remind them of the cold and beauty of this country and the magical moments in life.

The unique, curved shape of the vodka bottle represents the mammoth tusk – and the quality standards are unequalled. Mamont Vodka is manufactured in the oldest distillery in Russia, and was founded in 1868 by Konstantin Platonov and Gregoriy Badyn. The plant still stands on the banks of the river Itkul at the foot of the imposing Altai Mountains, and it is the last distillery in Russia that exclusively uses malted grains for alcohol production. Mamont Vodka is made from white winter wheat and is distilled six times. Combined with pure glacier water and filtered through charcoal from native silver birch, it achieves an exceptional silky texture and remarkable clarity. For this it was awarded clear gold at the World Spirits Award.

Sash & Fritz – German vodka with a Russian soul

The ‘maker behind the brand’ is the well-known sommelier and wine merchant Peter Steger. During his more than 25 year-long career, he became interested in spirits and discovered his love of vodka – and so he formed the idea of creating an exclusive German vodka brand. Sash & Fritz combines Russian tradition with German precision and perfection. Only the best, carefully selected ingredients, such as 100% German wheat and clear spring water from the German Ore Mountains, are used in an elaborate production process (5 careful distillations and 5 gentle filterings) to create a manufactured vodka of the highest quality. The special, high quality flint glass bottle is particularly transparent and translucent, and was exclusively designed for the company.

The story behind the name: Sash stands for Alexander I Pavlovich Romanov, Emperor of Russia from 1801 to 1825, and Fritz for Frederick William III, King of Prussia from 1797. Theirs was a heartfelt friendship that lasted all their lives and went beyond the family relationship that existed between the Romanov and Hohenzollern families. The Russian Alexandrowka colony in Potsdam, which still exists today, dates back to the 1826 edict by King ‘Fritz’ on which it was founded in remembrance of his friend ‘Sash’ who had died a year before.

The concept bore fruit: the German vodka was awarded gold by the jury at the World Spirits Award.