In recent years, we’ve all become increasingly fascinated by the world of craft spirits, whether enjoyed in cocktails or sipped neat.
Colorful, simple, and elegant, with fruity hints or served on the rocks—whatever your personal taste, everything is possible. All it takes is the desire to experiment and discover new products to enjoy with friends during a night out. In my ongoing exploration, I’ve encountered some producers who caught my attention, and I’d like to share their stories with you.
Edelschwarz – Alpine Bio Spirits
“Nature is our home, the mountains our living room.” These are the words with which Edelschwarz introduces itself. And how could you not be intrigued by a producer from the South Tyrolean Alps in Italy crafting products at an altitude of 1800 meters (5,900 feet)?
What struck me most about their range was the Cocoa Gin, a symbol of the fusion between the Italian South Tyrolean Alps and the “Chuncho” cocoa from Peru. An exceptionally unique pairing that truly opens the door to a distinctive experience.
Their flagship product, Edelschwarz Original Organic Gin, enhances its character with subtle notes of dark chocolate and 17 carefully selected alpine organic botanicals.
The inspiration for Cocoa Gin came from a special collaboration with a South Tyrolean artisan chocolatier, Karuna.
A gin that, by nature, is best enjoyed neat to appreciate the warm undertones of chocolate fully. Given the winter season, I can say from firsthand experience that it will cocoon and embrace you with a warm, deep feeling. However, if you’re in the mood to try something more explosive and unique, here’s the recipe for a Cocoa Spritz Passion cocktail: click here for this one-of-a-kind recipe.
Làndhe – Acorn brandy
Let’s now move from the Alps to Sardinia, one of Italy’s wildest islands, brimming with untouched landscapes. It’s here we met Làndhe, an acorn brandy produced by the “Frutti di Bosco” farm, situated at 554 meters (1,818 feet) above sea level.
Yes, you heard right: acorns. You may not know it, but the oak tree symbolises Sardinia, majestic in its stature. Làndhe means acorn in the Sardinian dialect. So, with this product, we’re talking about territory, culture, and tradition.
The acorns used come exclusively from cork oaks, which grow wild on uncultivated land, where dense vegetation makes it difficult to harvest the raw material. To produce this brandy, the acorns are picked by hand, one by one, between November and January. A tough and labour-intensive job, limiting harvests to no more than 5 kg per hour per harvester.
This product struck us because it’s unique—speaking of the land and small producers. You won’t find the familiar notes of grappa or rum in this brandy because it’s something truly special.
Làndhe is the perfect gift for someone looking for a one-of-a-kind gem to give and share: every drop of Làndhe transports you to Sardinia, with the warm wind in your face and the smells of this wild and passionate land.
It’s like gifting the sun, the sea, and the wind of Sardinia. Only 2,000 numbered gift boxes are produced annually for those seeking something truly exceptional.
When faced with such authenticity, we want to taste the product neatly to savour every nuance it offers. If you’d like to be one of the lucky 2,000 owners of this product, visit the company’s website and indulge in this exclusive drink. Here’s the link.
Vandalo – Vermuth Rosso – Glep
What can we say? For us Italians, vermouth was once a great passion, and today, it’s making a comeback.
Vermouth is a fortified wine flavored with various herbs and spices, with officially Piedmontese origins. It was first created in Turin in 1786 by Antonio Benedetto Carpano.
Our eyes lit up when we saw the label Vandalo Vermouth Rosso from the Glep company. A mix of eccentricity, elegance, and mystery. Because as you know, we often eat and drink with our eyes, and this was definitely one of those cases.
The botanicals used include cinnamon, clove, cinchona, cardamom, ginger, vanilla, rhubarb, cocoa, and gentian wormwood. And the rest of the botanicals? As the company says, you’ll have to discover them yourself.
Putting your nose over a glass of Vandalo is like being transported to another era: exotic aromas, vanilla tones, medicinal herbs, and hints of oriental spices. A sensual and captivating vermouth will leave you disoriented and make you feel like you’re living in a world between reality and fantasy, much like the lake panther featured on the label.
What better way to enjoy it than in a cocktail? Here’s a unique recipe for your winter season: click here for the Winter Glep recipe.
Olivia Gin – Olivia Lago di Garda
From Piedmont to the province of Verona, on Lake Garda: Olivia Gin.
Lake Garda unites the high mountains and plains at a single point, where, over the centuries, emperors, poets, generals, saints, angels, and demons have met.
Olivia Gin is born from the botanicals of the famous Riviera degli Olivi, where the landscape alternates between olive groves and vineyards. It is here, renowned for producing Garda extra virgin olive oil, that this unique gin is crafted.
What struck us was the packaging: a special bottle designed by Mo Coppoletta of Coppoletta Designs, reminiscent of Belle Époque perfume bottles, emphasizing the idea of a pleasurable journey for the body, spirit, and soul along the shores of Lake Garda.
The botanicals used include juniper, olive, elderflower, sage, chamomile, lantana, mandarin, orange, and rosemary. The lantana and olive definitely make a difference. Lantana, a little-known botanical, releases citrus notes when its leaves are rubbed. This balance of citrus and juniper leads to an unmistakable olive aroma.
It’s an elegant gin, almost timeless. With a gin like this, no pairing is needed—it stands on its own, in its depth and elegance.
One gem we truly loved is the motto of Olivia Gin, “The Classic Rediscovered”:
“There’s a lake between high mountains and lush plains, convinced it’s a sea, perfumed with flowers and citrus, where the olive tree grows strong and healthy, where sirens sing with nymphs, where mankind has marked its history. Emperors and poets, generals and saints, angels and demons have met along its shores. Every language was heard here, and every story had its stage. You, who live in the present, remember you are walking the paths that made history.”
If you’d like to relive the Belle Époque experience, click here for the experience.
Ratafià – Scuppoz – Abruzzo
A surprising product, and honestly, even unexpected. We were captivated by the energy of Anna Iannetti and her company, Scuppoz. It’s safe to say “good vibes.”
Scuppoz is a popular word from Valle Castellana in Abruzzo, used to describe the “clinking of glasses” as an invitation to toast and celebrate. Over time, this now obsolete dialectal word has come to represent the products and the family behind this brand.
Ratafià is a cherry-based liqueur, and its name comes from the ancient tradition of drinking it right after the ratification of a notarized contract, sealing the agreement. The term comes from the Latin expression “ut rata fiat”: let the act be ratified. Hill cherries and Abruzzese red wine give this liqueur a strong character.
This is the classic liqueur to enjoy with dessert during meals, and we recommend it be served at an ideal temperature of +2°C / +8°C.
Immerse yourself in the energy, deep traditions, and uniqueness of this company—it will truly be a discovery. Click here!
BRLN Williams Honey – Grote & Co – Berlin
The key words about Gabriel and his company struck us: “Sustainability, cooperation, curiosity, and courage guide us, and we’re proud to have grown as a small team.”
Berlin, a multicultural, creative, and dynamic city, is the birthplace of Grote&Co, which produces organic spirits.
We were excited by this brand’s message: producing high-quality products while maintaining a strong social commitment to protecting our planet is possible. In fact, all the botanicals used in their products are sourced from organic and regional farms, which is why their carbon footprint is significantly lower than that of conventional food products.
Gabriel and his team are particularly passionate about water. That’s why they’ve cleaned the Spree River of waste in collaboration with the Clean River Project and their partner Alnatura. Another key project they’ve launched is EQUAL, which raises awareness about the inhumane conditions in Bangladesh. They pay local workers twice the standard wage to create the jute bags for Spree Gin.
Who says you can’t do good for the planet and its people by purchasing a bottle? This is exactly the case with Grote&Co in Berlin.
Speaking of products, we were impressed by BRLN Williams Honey, a fine organic pear distillate with Berlin’s urban honey, produced by local beekeeper Dr. Marc-Wilhelm Kohfink. Many don’t know that honey from city bees contains fewer harmful substances than honey from rural areas with intensive agriculture, making it particularly aligned with the values of Grote&Co. A smooth, fruity, and enveloping product.
Take a look at the other products as well; it will be worth it. Click here
Gabriel recommends enjoying it as a digestif, but I would also greatly appreciate it in a cocktail, perhaps in a William Royal.
Nicey Gin – Unexpected Spirit AG – Switzerland
What do Sardinia and Switzerland have in common? Alessandro Canovi’s passion for producing a gin that is defined by its ‘Italian soul and Swiss perfection.
“Born from the waters of Sardinia, which gives it its distinctive colour, it was later developed in St. Moritz, among the Swiss Alps, at the headquarters of Unexpected Spirit AG, the company that produces it. This gin embodies the joy of celebration, both on the beach and in the mountains, and is perfect for a toast by the sea or an après-ski in the Alps. The design of Nicey evokes the colours of sunset, sand, and snow, conveying a deep connection to these environments” says Alessandro.
What struck us was this bottle’s sunny, Italian soul – a little dreamy yet energetic – and its Swiss origins. Stereotypes? Maybe, but thanks to them, we discovered Nicey.
The bottle and its colors capture attention, evoking memories of days by the sea or on snow-capped peaks, full of laughter and joy.
The idea for Nicey was born in Sardinia during a vacation with friends. Later, the botanicals come from Tuscany, the red berry infusion hails from Austria’s Tyrol, and the journey continues to Sri Lanka for the cinnamon sticks, while the lemon and orange peel are from Italy. A journey across different countries, coming together in perfect harmony, recreating an atmosphere full of colors, shades, and smiles.
Each sip of this gin reveals new notes: balsamic and citrusy, with a prominent hint of cedro, followed by juniper and sweet notes of blueberry.
Enjoy it on its own and let yourself be enchanted by its blue color.
Want to discover more about Gabriel and his Nicey? Here’s the link.