Mid-June 2024 kicks off the 2024 European Championship, which this time will take place in Germany. The host country will kick off against Scotland at 9pm on 14 June. We also pit some key competitors against each other for this group stage. Who will win each battle?
Friday 14 June: Germany - Scotland
Kick-off is on Friday evening. Host nation Germany will take on Scotland. For this match, we surprisingly pit two spiced rums against each other.
Rum from Germany: Old Man Rum Project 2
The German OMR Project 2 is part of a series of 5 different expressions, including a Vanilla Cane and a Carribean Spirit . For this competition, we put the Project 2 Spiced Orange on the square.
The blend of this Project Two has a particularly fruity character. The blend of 3 different Caribbean rums, aged between 4 and 14 years, owes its character mainly to its share from Martinique. Indeed, this 'rhum agricole' underwent its maturation in sweet wine barrels before being added to the blend. The blend thus contains both molasses and fresh sugarcane juice, plus has undergone Pot and Column still distillation. Tropical and Continental maturation was further done in American White Oak ex-Bourbon barrels.
Rum from Scotland: Sailor Jerry Spiced
Sailor Jerry Spiced is characterised by rich vanilla notes and hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. A long finish with some sweetness and hints of toasted caramel toffee.
What do our analysts think?
Those looking for a new, surprising rum are guaranteed to be right with the OMR Project. With 5 different expressions to choose from, the palette is very broad so there is bound to be something tasty for you among them. What's more, OMR Project is very reasonably priced.
Saturday 15 June: Spain - Croatia
Not only a lot of football talent can be found in Spain and in Croatia, but also delicious spirits. For this match-up, a sherry expression from Valdespino takes on a slivovitz from Croatia .
Sherry from Spain: Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado
The first seeds of Bodegas Valdespino were laid in 1264, when Don Alfonso Valdespino received an estate in Jerez de la Frontera from King Alonso for his help in the fight against the Moors. Meanwhile, Valdespino is purveyor to the Spanish and Swedish royal families, among others.
The Pedro Ximenez grapes are hand-harvested and sun-dried until they become almost sultanas. This gives El Candado its luscious sweetness. The sherry then matures for more than 10 years on average under oxidative ageing.
El Candado has an intense mahogany colour with aromas of dried fruits (sultanas and figs) and subtle notes of roasted coffee beans, mocha and sweet liquorice. Velvety flavour with a long, silky finish. El Candado gets its name from the Spanish word for padlock and each bottle was sealed with it.
Slivovitz from Croatia: Badel
Slivovitz is a brandy distilled from fermented plums. It is distilled in central Europe and the Balkans. The name slivovitz is derived from the Slavic root sliva, meaning plum. Slivovich is made from damson plums (Prunus domestica subsp. insitititia).
In Serbia, slivovich is the national drink and contains about 47% alcohol. It is quite common there to drink a slivovitz in the morning. Plum brandy is also considered a national drink in Moravia and the Czech Republic; many locals make their slivovitz themselves by fermenting plums and taking them to distilleries, which can be found everywhere. This home-distilled slivovich has an alcohol content of 52%, usually more in Moravia and the Czech Republic.
It is also a traditional drink in Croatia. Badel Slivovitz has a strong, fruity taste with notes of cherries, plums and other sweet fruits. It is a popular drink for special occasions and is often served as an aperitif or digestif.
What do our analysts think?
Valdespino has been our main sherry and brandy brand for some time now, and with good reason because their products are of absolute top quality. However, those looking for a typical, very local spirit should definitely try slivovitz. However, we give a narrow win to Valdespino's sherries.
Sunday 16 June: Poland - Netherlands
Nothing better suits this clash between Poland and the Netherlands than a vodka. Because not only Poland is known for its numerous vodkas, the Netherlands also brews a very famous one. Today's match-up: Belvedere versus Ketel One .
Vodka from Poland: Belvedere
Belvedere needs no introduction. It is THE luxury Vodka brand from Poland, and is made from the finest ingredients and according to a traditional recipe. It is one of the most popular Vodka brands in the world.
Belvedere is a very pure Vodka, which has a smooth, creamy taste. It is one of the most highly regarded Vodka brands, with an excellent reputation for quality. It is one of the most sought-after Vodka brands for cocktails and other drinks.
Vodka from the Netherlands: Ketel One (Ketel 1)
Originating from the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam, Ketel One Vodka is an up-and-coming Dutch vodka brand. Schiedam is a small town known for its rich history in distilling spirits, primarily gin.
For this face-off, we chose the Ketel One Peach & Orangeblossom infused vodka. Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom has a refreshingly fresh flavour and is for those who enjoy the taste of luscious, juicy white peaches and bold notes of fragrant orange blossom. Ketel One Botanical is more than a liquid. It is a lifestyle. It is your delicious, sophisticated choice if you are looking for a lighter drink option but still don't want to compromise on flavour.
What do our analysts think?
The Netherlands is our neighbouring country, so of course it is very tempting to prefer the Ketel One. But given Belvedere's variety and global availability, we can't help but let the win go to this authentic Polish vodka brand.
Sunday, 16 June: Slovenia - Denmark
For the match between Slovenia and Denmark, we enter fairly unfamiliar territory twice. From Slovenia we chose an absinthe, and from Denmark a famous aquavit.
Absinthe from Slovenia: Fairy Absinth
Fairy is an absinthe brand from Slovenia known for its high quality and unique taste. The brand uses traditional recipes and ingredients to produce their absinthe. Fairy uses only the best spices, including anise, coriander, cumin, fennel, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, mint and wormwood. These ingredients are combined with a high-quality alcohol to create a unique flavour. Fairy has a wide range of absinthe variants, including different colours, flavours and fragrances. The brand is known for its high quality and unique flavour, making it a favourite among absinthe lovers.
Aquavit from Denmark: Aalborg Akvavit
Aquavit (also Akvavit or akevitt) is a spirit from Scandinavia. Its minimum alcohol content is 37.5%. Like vodka, it is produced from potatoes or grain and is distilled twice. Spices are added during the second distillation. Characteristic is the use of caraway and dill seed. Aquavit is basically colourless, but can have a golden yellow colour after wood aging or by adding colouring agent (caramel E150). It is a popular drink in Scandinavia.
What do our analysts think?
Both absinthe and akvavit are spirits that are less well known in our regions. Moreover, they are very difficult to compare with each other. We therefore declare a tie between the two!
Monday, June 17: Austria - France
Today an Austrian rum/spirit drink comes out against a French whisky: Stroh versus Armorik!
Rum from Austria: Stroh Jagertee
Whisky from France: Armorik
The Warenghem distillery, a family business situated in Lannion along the Côtes-dArmor, has been producing spirits renowned far beyond the Armorican borders for over a hundred years. In 1983, it plunged into a whisky adventure, the Celtic eau de vie par excellence. Gilles Leizour, supported by Bernard de Pallec, travels to Scotland for inspiration after which he locks himself away in his laboratory to go public with le blend WB in 1987. After far-reaching trials, they release Armorik, the first Breton single malt, in 1998. Whisky Live Paris 2009 includes the launch of a new Armorik range that counts three references that have become the distillery's flagship.
The distillery's success can no longer be denied, as evidenced by its distribution to the United States, Canada, Australia but also Europe and even Scotland, among others.
What do our analysts think?
The Stroh Jagertee is fantatic for aficionados, but of course we cannot deny the growth and evolution Armorik has gone through over the years to become a world-renowned whisky brand. The win in this mash-up goes to Armorik!
Tuesday, June 18: Portugal - Czech Republic
For this final match on the first matchday in the group stage, a Portuguese porto takes on a whisky from the Czech Republic.
Porto from Portugal: Graham's 20y Tawny Port
It is in the aged Tawny category that you will see Graham's absolutely shine. Their base range consists of the 10yo, 20yo, 30yo and 40yo and all of these wines offer absolute top quality at a pleasing price. Once you have tasted these wines, you will be forever wedded to port.
Whisky from the Czech Republic: Pradlo 17y Velvet Revolution
This whisky matured in Oloroso Finish casks. It is a 70cl version and has an alcohol content of 41.7%. The spicy flavours are quite present but do not dominate. They help define the flavour, profile and character of this drink but are less decisive as any strong notes. Floral, woody, as well as fruity hints are noticeable, but these flavours are only slightly present. They add extra character and depth to this drink, without really pushing it in any particular direction. Based on this profile, you can conclude that this whisky has a fairly soft character, without extremes.
What do our analysts think?
The Pradlo from the Czech Republic is definitely a great discovery for whisky lovers, but we have never made a secret of the fact that we are huge fans of Graham's delicious portos, which range across white port, tawny port and red port.
Wednesday 19 June: Germany - Hungary
During the first match we had a rum playing for Germany, but in this second match we get something else out from under the German dust. For Hungary, we see Zwack making his first appearance on the pitch.
Gin from Germany: Ferdinand's Saar Gin
Bitters from Hungary: Zwack Unicum
Unicum or Zwack Unicum is a bitter herbal liqueur from Hungary. It is packaged in a glass bulbous bottle and made from various medicinal plants and herbs. The herbal liqueur and stomach elixir is an extract from more than 40 different herbs and roots.
Zwack unicum was first brewed in 1790 by Jozef Zwack. It is partly a digestif, partly an aperitif. The flavour is bittersweet. The drink is aged in oak barrels.
What do our analysts think?
For years, the Ferdinand's Saar gin has been a winner in our eyes when talking about a delicious summer gin tonic , without compromising the Zwack herbal bitters liqueur that has already captured many a heart.
Thursday, June 20: Denmark - England
In the previous match we had Denmark playing with their local Akvavit, but against England more will be needed.
Whisky from Denmark: Mikkeller
Whisky from Great Britain: The English Whisky Company
Of most types of spirit you know, one is guaranteed to come from Great Britain. To give the England particle some extra splendour, we chose The English Whisky Chapter.
The English Whisky Co. is a British whisky brand based in Norfolk, England. The company produces a wide range of whiskies, including single malt, blended malt, single grain and blended whisky. The whiskies are made using traditional methods and use the best ingredients England has to offer. The whiskies are distilled in copper stills and matured in oak casks. The whiskies of The English Whisky Co. are appreciated worldwide for their quality and taste.
Outside the official bottlings, which are increasingly hard to find, there is also a Cadenhead's independent bottling from this Norfolk distillery.
What do our analysts think?
There is no right or wrong, as both whisky brands are definitely worth trying. But since Cadenhead's has also released an independent bottling from The English Whisky Company, we might give the slight edge to the latter!
Thursday, June 20: Spain - Italy
Not only have both countries captured the imagination of football fans for years, but also in terms of drinks, a lot of goodies come from both countries. Think cava and prosecco, numerous wines, sherry and more. For this confrontation, we chose a gin on the Spanish side, but not the already famous Mare Gin. And a gin is also put forward from Italy. A fair contest with equal powers, or is it?
Gin from Spain: Gin Sea
Gin from Italy: Gin Del Professore
At Del Professore, terroir, craft and people take centre stage. The specific products of the Piedmont region are unique in the world, to such an extent that the region was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From those products emerged a tradition of crafts to make them shine with the highest sense of quality. At Del Professore, the people who have that experience are given the chance to make very traditional products that do justice to the quality of the ingredients as they should, bringing an authentic style of drinks to the table that is thus preserved for eternity. Del Professore's vermouths and gins are therefore classics in their genre for good reason.
Within the range of gins, you currently have a choice of three variants: Gin Del Professore Madame, Gin Del Professore Monsieur and Gin Del Professore Crocodile.
What do our analysts think?
All Del Professore spirits guarantee flavour and quality. This applies not only to the gins, but also to the various vermouths they produce. But value for money, we can't help but conclude that the Gin Sea is quasi-unbeatable and, for 30 euros, is one of the best and most versatile gins you can get your hands on. Point to Spain!
Friday 21 June: Poland - Austria
With Belvedere, Poland was the dyed-in-the-wool winner in the previous showdown. So an esteemed choice to push another Polish product to the fore this time. Austria also comes out of the corner surprisingly, coming up not with Stroh but with a wine of its own.
Vodka from Poland: U'luvka
Wine from Austria: Kracher Nr. 5 Grande Cuvee
Gerhard Kracher is without doubt the most famous producer of Austrian noble sweet wines. From a young age, he followed in the footsteps of his illustrious father (Alois jr. aka Luis) and grandfather (Alois sr.). The winery has been making world-class sweet wines for 60 years and three generations.
What all its sweet wines have in common is the fantastic balance between sweet and sour. Kracher wants to make drinkable wines, which are good gastronomic wines. They have a great concentration of sweetness, but are never unwieldy or sticky-sweet. Moreover, every year Gerhard Kracher manages - despite the high degree of noble rot - to still let the character of the grape variety shine through beautifully in his noble sweet wines.
What do our analysts think?
Never judge a book by its cover, but we have a soft spot for beautiful bottles. And fair is fair, the U'Luvka vodka really is a beauty of a bottle.
Friday 21 June: Netherlands - France
For this clash between our neighbouring countries, we chose a gin from Nolet's Distillery in Schiedam and a French gin from the Sud-Ouest of France.
Gin from the Netherlands: Nolet's Silver Dry Gin
Gin from France: Citadelle Gin
The Sud-Ouest has everything: the sun, the sea, the countryside.... And, of course, the Château de Bonbonnet, the birthplace of Citadelle Gin. The juniper berries growing at the château gave master distiller Alexandre Gabriel an idea: to become the pioneer of French gin. It was 1996, the project was maddening, but Citadelle Gin was born! Citadelle is a true châteaugin. It is at the chateau that the juniper berries are harvested to make French gin. The castle is also home to the distillery. Whether with a small gin tonic by the sea or a dozen oysters in the fisherman's hut, Citadelle is to be enjoyed with family and friends and without forgetting the lemon zest for the finishing touch.
What do our analysts think?
Despite a creditable effort, we have to be honest: The Netherlands was hopeless in this showdown. Citadelle Gin has therefore topped our gin top-10 for several years now, and this king among gins is obviously not one to be knocked off the throne lightly.
Saturday 22 June: Turkey - Portugal
The most famous spirit from Turkey is undoubtedly Raki. For this clash, we had the choice of Beylerbeyi and Tekirdag, among others, but we ended up choosing Yeni Raki. Portugal contrasts it with a real gin. What will that give?
Raki from Turkey: Yeni
Gin from Portugal: Ventozelo Premium Gin
Ventozelo is a Portuguese gin produced in the city of Viana do Castelo. It is a classic gin made with a selection of herbs and spices, including juniper, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, orange peel and lemon peel. The gin has a smooth, fruity taste with a spicy finish. It is a perfect gin to mix with tonic or other mixed drinks.
What do our analysts think?
Although a delicious gin, we cannot help but succumb to the delicious aniseed drink from Turkey.
Sunday, June 23: Scotland - Hungary
For this final match in the group stage, Scotland, surprisingly, chose not a whisky but a real Vodka. Hungary had no other choice and once again opted for the Zwack herbal bitters.
Vodka from Scotland: Arbikie
Bitter from Hungary: Zwack Unicum
Unicum or Zwack Unicum is a bitter herbal liqueur from Hungary. It is packaged in a glass convex bottle and made from various medicinal plants and herbs. The herbal liqueur and stomach elixir is an extract from more than 40 different herbs and roots.
Zwack unicum was first brewed in 1790 by Jozef Zwack. It is partly a digestif, partly an aperitif. The flavour is bittersweet. The drink is aged in oak barrels.
What do our analysts think?
Unfortunately for Zwack, we can't help but express our preference for Arbikie, which markets not only vodkas but also a lot of whisky from Scotland.
Marketing • IT • Klantenservice
I've known Broekmans since I graduated in 2006 and thanks to Jan I've come to know the passion for spirits. I dedicate myself every day to the webshop, customer service and all the IT involved. In my spare time, besides whiskey, I can also really enjoy rum, but just as much as a gin tonic or a simple bellini. In the words of Martien Meiland, if there's no alcohol in it, don't call me!
