Destillerie Wolfram Ortner - Evergreen distillates and drugs
In 1989, Wolfram Ortner planted the highest vineyard on Carinthian soil at 1,000 metres above sea level. In order to have a product available for his vineyard's investors right from the beginning, he began to produce fine distillates. This desperate measure turned into a business in itself, ambitiously run and with the goal of continually improving the products. The pursuit of perfection led to extraordinary products: coffee and cigar distillates, essences, Parfum de Vie, Mariage (a blend of Nock-Land whisky and fruit distillates), WOB shots such as Sin:it or Lav:it (concentrated, alcohol-based aromas, for long drinks or to enjoy neat - only a few drops are enough for a taste bud sensation), WOB 24 Karat (a powerful fruit-wood composition), WOBka (a vodka with a distinctive Nock-Land profile), and the aquavit from the range of WOB drugs as an homage to a Nordic lifestyle.
"In order to do something perfectly, you have to live it. Then everything works so much easier and the quality is right too." This is a clear statement which is reflected in the distinctive products. Wolfram Ortner's personal signature is evident in the WOB work of art: from the concept to the creation and the craft. Elegance and functionality can be found, above all, in the striking 'square' glass bottle that he designed himself. Hand-blown bottles, kitchen and cellar accessories, as well as tools for aficionados are also on offer. His other artistic ambitions range from acrylic paintings in bold colours to stylish lamps and sculptures made from iron and wood.
'Handmade goods for finer living' is a widely recognised slogan amongst those who enjoy the finer things in life: high quality, handmade products come onto the market from his distillery and coffee production. The 'World Spirits' brand has also been making waves, and its comprehensive concept has certainly contributed to the improvement of the international spirit culture. Its spectrum of 'highly spirited' activities is broad: offering specialist training for judges-to-be to become 'Master of World Spirits', innovative assessment systems, awarding prizes for spirits, classifying distilleries, offering distillery courses, tasting training courses, and more.
Classified as a World Class Distillery 2016, there was double gold for WOB DÖ DAVI damson wood (Spirit of the Year 2016) and WOB Kav.it, gold for WOB DÖ FLEUR grape brandy wood and WOB DÖ NERO, silver for Fior d'Arancio grape brandy, as well as bronze for Williams pear brandy.
95,3 WOB-Punkte - WOB Kav.it 2015 - Double-Gold
WOB Destillerie Wolfram Ortner, Österreich-9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, www.wob.at
Fragrance: Multi-faceted variety interpretation, citrus, dill, caraway, anise, pimento, white pepper, ethereal and minty touch. Taste: Very aromatic and warming, subtlest caraway notes, a touch of dill, curled mint, liquorice, pepper, citrus freshness, delicate sweetness of fennel seeds, full-bodied, balanced, almost endless finish.
76 WOB-Punkte - Williamsbrand 2015 - Bronze
WOB Destillerie Wolfram Ortner, Österreich-9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, www.wob.at
Fragrance: Unconventional, yellow peely notes, doughy texture, honeydew honey, unclear fruit image, peel-like, cider pear-like, slightly herbal, a touch of lovage, walnuts. Taste: Subtle Williams pear aromas, grated apple and pear, delicately banana-like, pit-like, robust, woody and stalky, a lot of extract sweetness, some green spiciness, rather dense, somewhat edgy, good length.
92,3 WOB-Punkte - WOB DÖ NERO 2003 - Gold
WOB Destillerie Wolfram Ortner, Österreich-9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, www.wob.at
Fragrance: Fruity and roasty aroma dialogue, slightly yeasty and grape-like, cider apple, citrus, orange, toffee, vanilla, raisins, a touch of cinnamon. Taste: Excitingly composed fruit and wood mixture, vanilla, caramel, citrus, orange peel, yeasty and drop-like, fine and acidulous freshness, honey, dark chocolate, apple peely spiciness, delicate sweetness, delicate bitter aftertaste in the finish, compact body, very harmonious with coffee.
88 WOB-Punkte - Fior d'Arancio Traubenbrand 1999 - Silver
WOB Destillerie Wolfram Ortner, Österreich-9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, www.wob.at
Fragrance: Elegant variety style, grape- and orange-like basic notes, almost ethereal and fresh, rose oil, a lot of citrus, orange peel, lime, delicate nutmeg, floral touch, rose blossoms. Taste: A reflection of the fragrance, nutmeg aromas, yeasty and fresh, citrus, tangerine, apple-like, peel-like, delicate green and grassy reflections, somewhat marc-like grape spiciness, compact, long-lasting finish.
94 WOB-Punkte - WOB DÖ FLEUR Traubenbrand Holz 1999 - Gold
WOB Destillerie Wolfram Ortner, Österreich-9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, www.wob.at
Fragrance: Perfumed grape style, citrus, orange, muscatel, successful interplay of grapes, yeast and wood, strong toasting notes, a lot of vanilla, caramel, somewhat green appeals. Taste: Aromatic, stimulating, vivid, a reflection of the fragrance, drop-like, rose oil, citrus, muscatel, bitter orange peel, a lot of roasty aromas, delicate yeast spiciness, malty, caramel-like, well-balanced wood and fruit sweetness, dense on the palate, persistent sweetness, nice harmony with a cigar.
96,3 WOB-Punkte - WOB DÖ DAVI Zwetschke Holz 2003 - Double-Gold
WOB Destillerie Wolfram Ortner, Österreich-9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, www.wob.at
Fragrance: Great product, very aromatic plum and wood composition, sweet fruit and roast mixture, powerful wood and fruit ester, plum, bitter almond, a lot of vanilla, pear- and banana-like, caramel, cold coffee, wet leather. Taste: Very typical, drop-like aroma image, plum compote, cinnamon, cloves, dried prune, sloe, united sweetness and tannin, dark caramel, malty sweetness, compact, tight body, great length, sweetness in the finish calls for a cigar. (Spirit of the Year 2016)
