Nuremberg, July 15, 2026. Rising Brands GmbH enjoyed great success at the 2026 Meininger’s International Spirits Award: With a total of 17 gold medals and four special awards, the company was named Spirits Importer of the Year for 2026.

The award-winning products come from seven different brands and range from Scotch and Irish whiskey to rum, cognac, tequila, and liqueurs. This result underscores not only the quality of individual products, but also—and in particular—the diversity and strength of the portfolio managed by Rising Brands.

We are particularly pleased to receive this award because it shows that our approach works: We see ourselves as a long-term partner for international brands looking to grow in the German market.

“We select our product portfolio very carefully and work closely with our producers to build and develop their brands here in a sustainable way. The fact that so many different products from our range have received awards confirms that we are on the right track and, of course, makes us proud of our collaboration with our partners.”

Stefan Fröhlich, Managing Director of Rising Brands GmbH.

Four Spirits Named Best in Their Category

No fewer than four products from the Rising Brands portfolio were honored by the international panel of experts—in addition to their gold medals—as the best spirits in their respective categories.

Douglas Laing ’s Big Peat Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky was named “Scotch Blended Malt of the Year 2026.” In 2009, Big Peat served as the starting point for Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, which are now internationally successful. Composed of various Islay single malts, this whisky has since come to embody—like almost no other product—the maritime and smoky character of the Scottish island.

Rum Malecon achieved a remarkable double victory. Malecon Chocolate was named “Flavored Rum of the Year 2026,” while Malecon Vanilla & Honey received the title “Rum Liqueur of the Year 2026.” Both products were only introduced in Germany in 2025 and were thus able to win over an international panel of experts in a very short time.

The fourth category title went to The Whistler Irish Cream, which was named “Cream Liqueur of the Year 2026.” To make it, the Boann Distillery combines fresh Irish cream with single pot still Irish whiskey spirit. The result is a particularly creamy liqueur in which the whiskey character remains clearly recognizable.

Six Gold Medals for The Whistler

With a total of six gold medals, The Whistler was the most successful individual brand in the Rising Brands portfolio. The awards went to The Whistler 10 Years Old, Dark Symphony, Irish Cream, Irish Honey, Mosaic, and Oloroso.

The award-winning products showcase the Irish brand’s wide range: from classic whiskeys and various cask-aged varieties to modern liqueur specialties. Rising Brands had only taken over general import duties for Boann Distillery and The Whistler in 2025. In the very first year of the partnership, The Whistler received three awards at the ISW. The P.X. I Love You was awarded Grand Gold and named “Irish Single Malt Whiskey of the Year 2025,” while the Triple Oak and the Stout Cask each received Gold.

Malecon rum also impressed, winning three gold medals. In addition to the two category titles for Malecon Chocolate and Malecon Vanilla & Honey, the Malecon Rare Proof 2019 was also honored.

Cognac Frapin won two gold medals each for its Frapin VSOP and Frapin Château Fontpinot XO, as did KAA DOS for its KAA DOS Blanco Organic Tequila and KAA DOS Reposado Organic Tequila. Additional awards went to Douglas Laing Scallywag 18 Years Old, Strathearn Highland Single Malt Batch No. 2, and Merrys Irish Cream Liqueur.

An Overview of the Award-Winning Brands

The Whistler: 6 gold medals (The Whistler 10 Years Old, The Whistler Dark Symphony, The Whistler Irish Cream, The Whistler Irish Honey, The Whistler Mosaic, The Whistler Oloroso)

Rum Malecon: 3 gold medals (Malecon Chocolate, Malecon Vanilla & Honey, Malecon Rare Proof 2019)

Douglas Laing (including the Strathearn Distillery): 3 gold medals (Big Peat Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Scallywag 18 Years Old, Strathearn Highland Single Malt Batch No. 2)

Frapin Cognac: 2 gold medals (Frapin VSOP, Frapin Château Fontpinot XO)

KAA DOS: 2 gold medals (KAA DOS Blanco Organic Tequila, KAA DOS Reposado Organic Tequila)

Merrys: 1 gold medal (Merrys Irish Cream Liqueur)

Rising Brands GmbH is an up-and-coming general importer of international spirits brands for the German market. As a subsidiary of GES e.G. in Nuremberg, Rising Brands has a strong network within the German specialty beverage retail sector and works closely with Bremer Spirituosen Contor as its exclusive distribution and logistics partner. The company focuses on the sustainable development of high-quality, distinctive brands and supports international partners in successfully positioning their products in specialty retail, the foodservice industry, e-commerce, and select retail channels.

Press Contact
Rising Brands GmbH
Timo Lambrecht
Brand Development Manager
Phone: +49 911 39306-978
Email: timo.lambrecht@risingbrands.de