Historic World Cup hat-trick for ‘Limoncello di Mallorca’
March 16, 2022
For the third year in a row 'Limoncello di Mallorca' won a bronze medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC). Never has a limoncello managed to win a medal more than 3 times in a row. The IWSC has been the most prestigious international competition for over 50 years. That is why it is also called 'the World Cup for alcoholic beverages'. This year, 4,000 entries from 90 countries competed for the medals in the spirits competition. In such a huge field it turns out to be very special to be able to pick up a medal 3 times in a row.
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When asked what the secret is behind their success, Suzan says: “We make no concessions to quality. Whether it's the lemons, the peeling process, the bottle or even the packaging, we only want the very best. We only go to suppliers who have the best products”. Joost adds: “Next week we are going to Mallorca for a few days to select lemons. Only the very best organic lemons have the privilege of ending up in our Limoncello.”
What is the difference between an artisanal Limoncello and a factory limoncello? Suzan says with a smile: “If a restaurant wants to put our Limoncello on the map, we always come by first to have it tasted. When we pour an ice-cold glass at 11:00 in the morning, we invite the restaurateur to put their own limoncello next to it. Where you smell the delicious lemon notes with our limoncello, a factory limoncello only seems to smell like alcohol. The choice is usually made quickly.”
But a factory limoncello is much cheaper, right? Joost: “A bottle of 'Limoncello di Mallorca' costs € 24.50 and a mass-produced one around € 17. For such a big difference in taste, the price difference is very small. With wines, the difference is much greater. You already have wines for €3, but a really good wine is 20 times more expensive.”
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Suzan's partner Joost is also no stranger. He was an alderman in the city of Tilburg from 2008 to 2014. His passion for good food and drinks previously led him to become a "guest chef" at the prestigious Tilburg restaurant Auberge du Bonheur. “Making limoncello will remain a hobby for the evenings and weekends. I can easily keep looking for improvements until I am 80”, he says laughing. “I love to see other people enjoying when we drink our limoncello together. Each lemon is hand washed and each lemon peeled separately ”.
Family and friends were asked to design the bottle, take pictures and build the website.
When asked whether limoncello is the new fashion drink, Joost answers: “It looks a bit like that. We were by the sea for a few days last week. In beach bars you see that "gin and tonics" are increasingly giving way to "limoncello-tonic" and "limoncello-spritz". Especially in the summer I can imagine that people opt for the freshness of lemon. ”
Suzan can be brief about where the Limoncello is for sale: “At the moment only through our website. We produce so few bottles that our limoncello will never end up in many stores. Every lemon and every bottle will go through our own hands and are made with equal love. We want to keep it traditional and small-scale. And of course it must be for sale on Mallorca ”.