Perfect drinks for the summer: ISW awards the best aperitivos, vermouths and non-alcoholic distillates / Bodega Lustau shines with vermouth / Asbach can also be an aperitif / Non-alcoholic spirits convincing
Summer can come, because thanks to the May tasting of the renowned Meininger's International Spirits Award ISW, you can now navigate unerringly through the world of aperitifs, vermouths and the still quite new realms of non-alcoholic distillates. Around 120 different products ended up in the glasses of the jury during the tasting, which tasted and judged the products on the basis of the tried-and-tested ISW scheme and also described them in sensory detail.
The varied tasting confirmed trends that had already emerged in previous years: Great Vermouths and bitter aperitifs have long since ceased to be a purely southern European domain, and in the wake of the ongoing gin hype a refreshingly large number of highly aromatic, stable and varied alternatives are emerging that convincingly deliver on their non-alcoholic promise of enjoyment. The jury, consisting of spirits experts, distillers and bar professionals, therefore awarded a total of 18 gold and 18 silver medals to the products submitted, four of which also received a special award for outstanding quality in their respective categories.
Non-alcoholic distillate of the Year 2021: Laori Juniper No. 01
The full aroma of a classic juniper-oriented gin - without any alcohol at all? The gold award-winning Laori Juniper No. 01 proves how well this can go together. Gin-typical botanicals such as juniper, rosemary and cardamom, individually distilled in steam and fabulously combined here provide an alcohol-free benchmark that almost goes beyond the attribute "gin alternative". Because: Those who perform like this stand for themselves.
Vermouth of the Year 2021: Lustau Vermut Rosé
When it comes to sherry, Bodega Lustau is a legend, and when it comes to vermouth, the Spaniards are no match for anyone else. Since 2019, they have been consistently awarded gold at the ISW - for all their qualities, by the way - and in 2021 there was no way around the Lustau Vermut Rosé. However, it prevailed only by a hair's breadth against the red and white competition, which, however, comes from the same house. Three ISW gold medals and one Vermouth of the Year are the proud achievements of Bodega Lustau in 2021, which has thus raised the bar a little higher for the future.
Aperitif of the Year 2021 national: Hugo Asbach Aperitif Rosé
In Germany, too, the art of the cultivated aperitif is now well understood. With almost 130 years of wine and distillation experience behind it, the traditional house of Asbach is proving just how good it is by winning this special prize with its Hugo Asbach Aperitif Rosé, in addition to a gold medal. Rosé wines from the Rhine region combined with the company's own brandies and herbs such as vermouth and elderflower extract - this is how German aperitifs are made at top international level.
Aperitif of the Year 2021 international: Nonino Aperitivo Botanical Drink
The name Nonino stands not only for outstanding grappa from Friuli, but also for excellent fruit brandies, liqueurs and aperitifs. This is impressively demonstrated by the Aperitivo Botanical Drink, which is produced on the basis of pomace brandy and has been awarded ISW Gold. It delights with fresh, citrus-floral and slightly fruity notes as well as a balanced bitterness. 100 percent natural and just as sure to be an excellent choice for the sunny moments in life.
