In vino veritas, the Romans used to say: In wine, there is truth. And in distillates, there is the spirit of wine.
Distillation rights, the legal permission to produce high-proof liquors, enjoy a long tradition. Today’s distillers not only want to nurture this tradition; they also want to modify and expand on it with new, innovative ideas. A new generation of distillers is busy mixing things up in the distillery scene. With fruit brandies and schnapps of select quality.
With spirits like the gin Monkey 47, for example, mixed with water from the distillery’s own well and enriched with about 42 herbal ingredients. This gin from the Black Forest region is setting the standard quite high; it even took home gold in the category of »Gin Worldwide« at the 2011 International Wine and Spirit Competition. Which tonic is the right partner for this gin, and whether it goes best with spice or even with a slice of cucumber, that’s up for debate. But if there’s one thing everyone agrees on, it’s quality.
The same goes for fruit brandies and liqueurs. The mass market doesn’t offer anything special – the commercial pressure to appeal to a broad audience is too high. Small distilleries do things differently: they stay true to themselves, creating products with character. Like Stählemühle. A former art book publisher purchased the distillery and reactivated the old distillation rights. If you’ve never heard of Eigeltingen before, you should make a note of the name for the future. From ginger to molasses to wild raspberry, Stählemühle is turning new and sometimes crazy ideas into fine liquors.
Only natural ingredients are used, aged in oak barrels following a careful distilling process with a love for a good product and a disdain for large volumes. Today’s distillers are like young winemakers: daring. And successful. Of course, a fine distillate has its price. But it’s one people will pay gladly in exchange for authentic tastes and richly varied nuances. Such a schnapps isn’t downed in one shot, but sipped with delight. Cheers! 
Like in old times. Fine spirits and liqueurs aren’t short-lived products. Enjoying a good drink means taking your time. Without hurry or stress.
The passion to craft, the will to experiment and the determination to use only natural ingredients. These conditions help to create premium spirits.
Out of the Jar: CrafteD Spirits & Liqueurs. The distillation of spirits is an age-old craft that is currently experiencing a renaissance. The book »Out of the Jar« gets to the bottom of it in pictures.
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