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Albert Büchele – Reliability, Vorarlberg-style

“We have been farmers for generations”, says Albert Büchele from the Michelehof, which has been based in Hard at Lake Constance since 1838. The name of the estate is based on the name Michael since his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were both called ‘Michel’. Today, the estate looks rather different with the focus being on fruit processing instead of animal husbandry and dairy farming. Plenty of input and commitment and a friendly sense of persistence regularly bring the highest possible accolades for this ‘stuff which dreams are made of’.

The diverse product range focuses on apples and pears and the fruit of the region – the Subirer pear – has become the company logo, based on the star-shaped flower of the fruit trees. Brandies full of character are made from the various types of stone fruits, berries and wild fruits and Albert Büchele has a particular passion for maturing distillates in wooden casks. A great deal of love and care has gone into the redesign of the building: since 2006, the architecturally successful structure has incorporated plenty of wood, solidity and style – not forgetting the expressive and well-balanced products made here. And little wonder, as harmony within the family and across the estate have long been the recipe for success. The future development of the Michelehof is certainly cause for great excitement.

The World Class Distillery 2017 received double gold for Cigar Cuvée, gold for Subirer Reserve, rose hip and grape brandy (barrel-aged), and silver for orange blossom muscatel brandy and damson brandy (barrel-aged).

Schwarzwaldbrennerei Markus Kalmbach: Ode to the Black Forest

This small, fine distillery is located in Baiersbronn, the largest forest municipality in Germany. The family business was founded by Fritz Kalmbach in 1963 and is now run in its third generation by Markus Kalmbach. The full-time banker runs the distillery at weekends, which has long since become a sideline. The family is now the sixth generation to live in the farmhouse built back in 1880. Tasting takes place in the tasting room in the former stables with a view of the distillery. Groups of ten or more can combine the tour with a taste of the local cuisine. In fine weather, there is a panoramic terrace from which you can enjoy the view of the Sankenbach Valley. The products are also available chilled in fresh spring water at the schnapps fountain on the edge of the village, which is open all year round. It is located in an idyllic spot under fir trees, with a bench and an inviting view of Baiersbronn.

They favour tradition with zeitgeist and class over mass production. Quality not quantity is the motto which they live by. Decades of experience with the ever-developing art of distilling infuse the diverse products made from fruit, herbs and grain. They range from Black Forest kirsch to herbal and bloodroot schnapps to gin and whisky. Aside from the malt mash from rye, wheat, spelt and emmer, the distillery’s own soft spring water and the fir wood from its own forest for the distillation process, time is perhaps the greatest ingredient in the whisky. It matures over years in the various wooden barrels in the vaulted cellar of the former farmhouse. In 2023, the grain brandy made from emmer, spelt and einkorn was awarded gold by the Association of Small Distillers and Fruit Distillers at the regional award ceremony.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Kornbrand Emmer-Dinkel-Einkorn.

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.