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Best Distillery Event

WINNER: DE MOLENBERG DISTILLERY MOLENBERGFEESTEN, BELGIUM

De Molenberg claims to be Belgium’s first whisky distillery with traditional hand-hammered copper pot stills. The family has been making genever since 1637.

Molenbergfeesten is a weekend of festivities at the distillery over the last weekend of May. The town of Blaasveld only has 3,000 inhabitants but last year the festival had 4,000 visitors. The event features the produce of 24 local artisans and local artists get their moment of fame. The company uses the occasion to focus on sustainability, with workshops on composting and recycling and on-site waste bins for recycling.

Despite selling 2,000 whisky tastings and 130 bottles of its flagship Gouden Carolus single malt whisky, 142 of its limited edition and 460 of its Pure Taste range, the distiller says while it has spent €15 per head, income only worked out at €13 per head.