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Stroh – The Spirit of Austria

The traditional Stroh brand is a symbol of the Austrian attitude to life. Sebastian Stroh laid the foundation for the company’s success story in 1832 when he began the commercial production of liqueurs and rosolios. By 1926, 100 different specialities and 1.2 million bottles were already being produced. In 1969, Hanno Maurer-Stroh took over as the fifth generation manager of the family business at the age of 21 and redesigned it to suit the requirements of the modern market. In 1994, Stroh was the leading spirits brand in Austria and the brand is also sold in over 30 countries across the world. Following the merger with Stock and other changes, Harold Burstein, Managing Director of Stock Austria, took over the company management in August 2008 as part of a 100% management buyout. Stroh rum has been 100% produced in Austria since spring 2009 and is still refined using the finest essences and flavours.

The novelty STROH Fire is a liqueur based on a recipe from the 19th century that was believed lost. The combination of the distinctive STROH flavour and an infusion of the Hot Bird’s Eye chilli, which is also produced in the factory, has the potential of becoming the hot shot of the catering and bar scene. STROH Fire tastes good as an ice-cold shot or as a basis for spicy long drinks. It goes well with intensive soft drinks such as ginger beer or Almdudler.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Stroh Fire Chili Spiced Liqueur.

Blackriver Gin: Organic spirit from Saarland

Blackriver Gin is the first organic gin from the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve in Saarland. The two founders, Christian Ehrhardt and Christian Hurth, are proud Saarland locals who also spent their childhood here. It was important to them to create a gin that reflected their own values: a focus on regionality, sustainability and dedication to the homeland. Great importance was therefore attached to the quality and the origins of the ten botanicals, including typical regional ingredients such as buckhorn plantain.

In the interests of high product standards and the aim of offering 100% organic quality with regional ingredients, they looked for a suitable partner and found one in the Monter Distillery in Hemmersdorf in the Saargau region, near the French border. The family enterprise has been in operation since 1846, now already in its sixth generation, and has organic certification. An organic pure alcohol on a wheat basis is distilled with the botanicals in small batches. Several macerates give the gin its special colour and individual flavour. The careful production process comprises many controlled steps to preserve the aromas of the organic botanicals. Their expert adviser was Wolfgang Maffert, a fine spirit sommelier from the distillery and a gin lover. With a lot of experience and a special touch, the gin composition is very accomplished. The dense aromas combine herbs such as rosemary, apple mint and lavender, as well as fruity elements such as raspberries, blueberries and lemon peel, with a subtle hint of juniper. The taste is pleasantly mild and lasting. The colour is unusual: a delicate violet with a hint of rosé.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to Blackriver Bliesgau Bio Gin.

Diageo – From London to the whole world

Approximately 33,000 employees are employed worldwide at Diageo, the market leader in premium spirits, with Smirnoff (vodka), Johnnie Walker (whiskey), J&B (Scotch whiskey), Baileys (liqueur), Captain Morgan (rum), Cuervo (tequila) and Tanqueray (gin), Guinness beer and branded wines. Production takes place all around the world: from Great Britain and Ireland, Italy, Spain and Africa, to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, India and the Caribbean. The global corporation emerged in 1997 from the merger between Guinness and GrandMet. 180 markets around the world are handled from its London headquarters.

A lot of work and lots of attention to detail go into creating the in-depth product descriptions on Diageo’s website. Information and analysis is provided about issues ranging from detailed descriptions of the production down to the most minute ingredients. Finally, they are aware of the size of their company and also of their responsibilities as a supplier of alcoholic products. The name Diageo was also deliberately chosen – it represents their agenda. Put together from ‘dia’ (the Latin word for ‘day’) and ‘geo’ (the Greek word for ‘world’), it means that every day people are celebrating all over the world with products from their company. These products open up possibilities never dreamed of for special days and nights, marking special life events and even making the smaller things in life feel magical.

Participation in the World Spirits Award was magical: there was double gold for Tanqueray No. 10 (Spirit of the Year 2016), gold for Gordon’s London Dry Gin and Tanqueray London Dry Gin, as well as silver for Tanqueray Rangpur.

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.