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Alexandrion Group: A big player from Romania

The largest and most successful spirits and wine business in Romania has a comprehensive portfolio with leading brands in all categories as well as traditional Romanian products, which are known nationally and internationally for their quality. Tradition is honoured in the production process that follows their own authentic recipes with the best ingredients.

The Alexandrion Distillery is located in Dealu Mare, in the southern Romanian region of Prahova. 11,000 square metres provide a home to the distillery, filling plant – with a capacity of 40 million litres a year – and packaging area, while underground cellars cover 1,500 square metres with over 3,000 oak barrels and storage areas. 92 employ- ees work in 11 departments to optimise the production process. Modern technology and processes are used and the highest quality is guaranteed. Much has been invested in the purchase of automated, high-tech machinery for the processing, distillation and fermentation of the fruits that are used for the premium spirits. Using a flexible logis- tics model that can handle a complex product portfolio, the distillery counts as one of the most modern and efficient in South-Eastern Europe. With a philosophy of constant technological development and the procurement of new production plants, capacity is constantly being expanded in order to meet growing demands from national and international markets.


At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Brâncoveanu XO, Brâncoveanu VSOP and Kreskova Vodka, and silver for Brâncoveanu VS, Zolmyr Mere and Suman D41.

STIN Styrian dry Gin: Homage to Styria

Johannes Firmenich, a true southern Styrian, and Reinhard Jagerhofer, a nature lover from Hartberg, discovered their love of gin during their years at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. Shortly before they graduated, they had the idea of STIN as a friendship project – a gin according to their taste, with ingredients from their homeland. The two most important ones grow conveniently right on their doorstep: Johannes contributed the south Styrian apples, Reinhard the east Styrian elderberries. Both of them also have a good feeling for what makes a good gin: traditional craftsmanship, careful distilling and of course what goes into it.

28 botanicals provide the diverse aromas and complexity of the Classic Proof. Besides juniper, it is above all the citrus fruits – lemon and orange – as well as south Styrian apples and east Styrian elderberry that make this gin so multifaceted. Other fine spices such as coriander, caraway, cardamom, pepper and ginger form its spicy body. In the limited Distiller’s Cut, pears from south Styrian gardens replace the apples, while the rest remains the same. The Overproof – with the ingredients of the Classic Proof – is reduced to 57 volume percent with Styrian spring water after distillation. The dash of colour in the product range is Sloeberry, macerated and distilled according to the basic recipe, then set again with sloeberries and sugar and macerated again over several weeks.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for The STIN – Distiller’s Cut, and silver for The STIN – Classic Proof, The STIN – Overproof and The STIN – Sloeberry.

MBG International Premium Brands – Brands with added value

“We Love Liquids.” This slogan has accompanied MBG on its worldwide path of success since it was founded in 1993 under the name P.O.S. Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH: Strong brands have been established around the world in nearly 60 countries, with innovative own brands, renowned retail brands, great ideas and a lot of energy. With over 250 employees, the MBG Group currently generates over € 200 million and, every year, more than a million hectolitres are produced. The portfolio in Germany includes 12 own brands and 6 retail brands (from non-alcoholic drinks to low proof drinks to wines & spirits) for 90,000 customers.

“Our recipe for successful brands is the mixture of passion, conviction and knowledge of the market. If all goes well, names and products become new worlds which consumers love. Success is not always predictable, which means that courage is needed above all. The right moment has to be found and hard work put in, just like with a hit single: some are one hit wonders while others become classics.” Little can be added to this definition from Managing Director Andreas W. Herb. From the MBG Group headquarters in Paderborn, a great deal of expertise makes successful brands, tailored to the respective target group and the market segment. Many brands that are well known on shop shelves and in the gastronomy sector have played a role in the history of the company.

Participation in the World Spirits Award yielded gold for Dos Mas Nasty Nuts Shot.

Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa

Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.