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Wyborowa and Ostoya: Polish vodka for the world

The name Wyborowa translates as ‘selected’ and stands for a product that has shown for decades how a good rye vodka should taste. The brand is deemed the oldest internationally sold vodka brand in the world. Wyborowa fulfils the requirements of the protected geographical indication ‘Polska Wódka’, according to which every production step has to take place in Poland. The production process is based on the Polish distillation tradition, which has been perfected over almost 600 years and requires Polish ingredients of the highest quality. It was first produced in 1926, has been part of Pernod Ricard since 1999 and is one of the ten best-selling vodkas in bars around the world.

The basis of the vodka is 100% Polish rye from the region. It is milled, fermented and distilled in small, local and owner-run agricultural enterprises, to produce raw alcohol, the ‘heart’ of the spirit. Distillation is threefold in traditional pot stills, then it is filtered three times through charcoal and carbon and thinned with softened and demineralised well water. It is exported to over 80 countries.

Ostoya was the first wheat vodka to be produced in Poland. The spirit is made from fine grains grown in Bieszczady, one of Poland’s most unspoilt regions. It is produced at the Pernod Ricard production plant in Zielona Góra, then distilled and charcoal-filtered for exceptional purity in rectification plants in Poznan. This premium vodka is 100 percent Polish, from the grain to the glass.

Wyborowa Vodka and Ostoya Vodka were awarded gold at the World Spirits Award.

Arno Krautner: Newcomer from gastronomy

“My love of nature, healthy food and new challenges showed me the way from modern to medieval cuisine. One idea captivated me: truffle dishes and the perfect drink to go with it. Truffles have always fascinated me. I was therefore searching for a product that would satisfy both the refined palate of gourmets and the high standards of top cuisine.”

In the middle of the COVID crisis, Arno Krautner had enough time and plenty of motivation to turn his idea into reality: a gin was developed along with professionals. The distillate in organic quality is especially characterised by the freshness of oranges – of course alongside botanicals such as juniper, coriander and others. Recommendation: best enjoyed on the rocks, or with a neutral tonic water. As their second product, Trüffelo Orange Truffle was created, also in organic quality, which incorporates the earthy and perfumed taste of truffles alongside the fresh and fruity taste of orange. Recommendation: best enjoyed on the rocks, or with Bitter Rose tonic water.

In future, the Trüffelo line of True-fellow Handel GmbH is also set to include brandy, whisky, rum and others. Distillation takes place in Styria.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Gin Orange, and bronze for Trüffelo Orange Truffle.

Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.