World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.

Milano Dry Gin – As clear and structured as ice

Milan’s first real London Dry Gin has an unusual name: Giass – which means ice. Five friends who enjoy meeting up for an aperitif in the evening are behind it: Andrea and Simone Romiti, Richard D'Annunzio, Francesco Niutta and Francesco Braggiotti. The simple, time-honoured ritual is the same as the process that turns clear water into a structured block of ice – transparent and brilliant in its recurring irregularity. This idea would eventually lead to a very individual gin.

Within the framework of the EXPO 2015, Andrea and Simone worked on a project on wine, food and quality drinks. Richard, a passionate barman who likes to spend his time creating new drinks, joined them. For gin-based cocktails he turned his kitchen into a lab, the dishwasher became an improvised ‘distillery’, where he ‘brewed’ herb extracts in 30 minutes at 65 degrees. So the idea emerged to produce their own gin – and they bought a 3-litre distillation flask.

In search of the botanicals, the friends decided on 18 ingredients: juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, dried apple, dried orange peel, rose petals, camomile flowers, violet flowers, orange blossom, hibiscus flowers, ground almonds, mint leaves, fennel seeds, lemon verbena, cardamom seeds, lemon balm, cinnamon and thyme. The gin is sold in an elegant, screen printed bottle, inspired by the floors of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for London Dry Gin.

Kreuzritter - Elixirum Digestivum, created by masters

The beneficial effects of herbs have been known for thousands of years - from Chinese and Indian herbal medicine which focused on the digestive system to Arabic medicine and the medicines of the Middle Ages. A modern interpretation of this long-established knowledge, based on medical expertise and nutritional physiology, is offered by a physician, a nutritionist and a spirits expert from the town of Mühlen in Lower Saxony, famous for its horse-riding.

These experts set themselves the task of creating high-quality herb liqueurs and aquavits for demanding consumers using top-quality raw materials from specialist producers and based on elaborate and unusual recipes. The specialists from Lower Saxony base their concoctions of herbs, spices, aromas and essence compositions on natural ingredients.

The key to the "Kreuzritter" digestion elixir is eleven secret herbs, the effects of which were noted centuries ago in the herbal medicines of the Far East. It also contains 47 additional extracts ranging from aloe to white turmeric, renowned for their positive effects in terms of both stimulating digestion and soothing the stomach. The "Dreiling" is a typical aquavit with hints of caraway, anis, geum and the aroma of dill. It also contains a complex mix of herbs including coriander, ginger, lemongrass, fennel, orris root, camomile and mace. Its mild flavour is the result of using high-quality brandies made from wheat, rye and spelt which are stored in oak casks for over eight years. The "Herzdame" (queen of hearts) completes this trio of specialities - a fresh and fruity liqueur.

The Kreuzritter and Dreiling performed well at the World-Spirits Award, securing a silver for Lower Saxony.