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Maison Ferrand – A commitment to tradition in more than 60 countries

In 1989, entrepreneur Alexandre Gabriel met the Pierre Ferrand family, one of the oldest cognac-producing families in France. His vision was to produce cognac following traditional methods, with a personal stamp, to emphasise the character of the Grande Champagne region and create a Premier Cru de Cognac. Tradition and passion, excellent locations, professional distillation, precise storage and careful blending set new standards for traditional products.

“A great cognac should reflect its terroir. Above all, good healthy grapes from the best vineyards are needed. Then the wines are carefully distilled on the yeast, and the brandy is left to mature in old barrels for many years. There are no short cuts, but it makes such a heavenly difference and the result tastes so much better that it is worth the effort! At MAISON FERRAND, there has always been a commitment to this level of diligence and patience.”

The production location is the Château de Bonbonnet in Ars, in the department of Charente, in the middle of the vineyards. In the cellars, the various spirits are stored in cognac, port wine, whisky, sauternes or calvados barrels. This ancient ‘double ageing’ procedure yields outstanding quality. Cognac is distilled in winter in ten small copper stills (maximum 25 hl). The characteristic gin is distilled in spring, the rum varieties of the Plantation brand name, which play an important role, come from the Caribbean.

Maison Ferrand is co-owner of the Domaine Logis d’Angeac, a traditional distillery dating back to 1776. It also includes 110 hectares of vineyards at the heart of the Grande Champagne region.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Pierre Ferrand Ambré, Cognac Ferrand 10 Générations, Citadelle No Mistake Old Tom Gin and Plantation Original Dark.

Château Steinle Manufaktur: Globally recognised gin from what’s probably the smallest distillery in the world

Frank Steinle is an economist and marketing specialist – and a great lover of handmade products, good food, good wines and the best gin. In 2013, the idea was born for his first products. His philosophy is clear: excellent products cannot be created on an industrial scale. They can only develop based on a foundation of high-quality ingredients, when you know where they come from, and how they are produced and processed. Craft distilleries are the future: Quality before quantity!

Everything is manual work here: grinding the botanicals, distilling over real fire, filling, labelling, and numbering the bottles. “We only use high-quality alcohol based on wine and we don’t use any additives. The gins contain 100% of the essential oils of the botanicals.”

HERRLICH GIN is a straight London Dry Gin with 28 botanicals, BAYERISCH GIN is a hearty Bavarian Dry Gin with a hop and malt flavour and 32 botanicals, refined with some stone pine wood, PINKCAT GIN is a tart, fresh and fruity Old Tom Gin with 29 botanicals and the original ULMER GIN (a registered trademark) is a fine London Dry Gin with 20 botanicals. This year, the company is participating with its second commissioned work: HONIG GIN is a London Dry Gin with 10 organic botanicals. The organic honey is handmade in Ulm by the company Bienesto. HERRLICH BLUE MAGIC Dry Gin is also presented with 29 organic botanicals. It is refined with spices and transforms from royal blue to violet with tonic water.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for BAYERISCH GIN and HONIG GIN, and silver for HERRLICH GIN BLUE MAGIC, ULMER GIN, HERRLICH GIN and PINKCAT GIN.

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.