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Berentzen Group: 250 years of cultured distilled spirits

The Berentzen Group stock corporation is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and modern drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 250 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.

D&V Spiracy: Tyrolean gin as a taste ambassador

Vincent Offermanns and Dennis Kolwey worked in gastronomy for many years and discovered a mutual liking for the aromatic variety and creative presentation of gin. Their wish to create their own gin is therefore understandable. With a distinctive taste and strong character in the finish, it was intended to show a new approach, away from traditional juniper dominance or floral infusions. The high quality standards of London Dry Gin were to be combined with the creativity of New Western Style Gin. They aimed for a premium gin that reflected their personal development, as well as the key notion of ‘Think for yourself – questgin authority’.

From collecting the botanicals and macerating them to labelling and inscribing the bottles, they do everything themselves. They found the perfect partner in the fine brandy sommelier Arno Pauli, who had a similar mentality and was open to new ideas. Distilling takes place at his distillery in Absam in Tyrol. Ginspiracy is made in a 150-litre copper still. In accordance with the motto ‘small batch, big taste’, each batch only comprises 1,000 bottles – left natural and unfiltered. Sales without retailers was a conscious choice, in order to forge direct contact with gastronomic enterprises and end customers.

Ginspiracy is based on a composition of 33 botanicals. Apart from the traditional hint of juniper, it exudes lavender, cardamom and fenugreek aromas, harmonising with typical Tyrolean woods such as spruce, larch and arolla pine. 12 botanicals are picked by hand at over 1,600 metres above sea level in the Zillertal Alps, ensuring the distinctive aromas and the taste potential.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Ginspiracy Premium Tyrolean Gin.

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery: The American Dream exemplified

For Andy and Charlie Nelson, a small town in Tennessee became their destiny in 2006. When they mentioned their family’s historic whiskey business in a butcher shop on Distillery Road, they were referred to the local historian. He proudly presented them with two perfectly preserved bottles of Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, made by their great-great-great-grandfather Charles. Having found out that he was one of the most successful whiskey distillers in America before Prohibition, they decided to revive the family business.

The brothers have always had a lot in common. Both studied humanities, are history buffs, true Southern gentlemen and proud of their family roots. When they set out to revive the distillery, which had been founded around 1800, they embarked on a great journey not just to make and sell whiskey, but to rebuild a company that had helped to popularise the term Tennessee whiskey in America and Europe. By researching, sourcing capital and producing brands in small quantities according to original recipes, they are prime examples of the ‘American Dream’.

If you like stories about sunken ships, lost gold, a woman who ran a distillery before women were allowed to vote and the rebirth of a business, you would be in your element on a tour of the company. From Tennessee whiskey made according to the original recipe to new creations such as high-rye bourbons, the portfolio is constantly growing, but always based on their great tradition.

Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey – Hand Made Sour Mash won gold at the World Spirits Award.