What distillery krauss does

Distillery Krauss is an Austrian craft spirits producer headquartered in St. Martin im Sulmtal, Styria, founded in 2007 by Carmen and Werner Krauss. The company manufactures premium spirits using traditional copper pot still distillation, with a portfolio spanning gin (eight varieties including G+ Classic, Tangerine, Flower, Lemon, Saffron, Barrel Aged, Bergamot Pepper, Organic, and STU editions), whisky (Sulm Valley Whiskey 5 Years Aged, Single Malt, Peated Single Malt, Generation Irish Single Malt), rum (Classic, Cask Strength, White, Master Blend), vodka (Generation, Organic flavored variants), vermouth (Vermouth 700 Rosso), liqueurs and aperitifs (Ginerol, Organic Orange, Apple-Orange, Generation Aperitif, Murique No. 1), and fruit brandies (Sulm Valley Apple). Production emphasizes regional Styrian ingredients including heirloom corn varieties (Gleisdorfer Landmais), Alpine water, and organic botanicals, with AT-BIO-401 organic certification. Limited editions are numbered (766 bottles for Sulm Valley 5yr; 1,441 for Peated Single Malt; 4,000 for first Sulm Valley Whiskey). The company has earned over 100 international competition medals including Distillery of the Year 2022 at the World Spirits Awards.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer and selective wholesale model. Bottled spirits retail at €15.90–€157/liter (e.g., €109.90 for 500ml of 5-year aged whiskey). A cask investment program (Fassverkauf) sells whole 225L casks at €14,400 and quarter casks at €4,200, both including three years of storage. Distribution combines an own online shop and on-site distillery sales with three named partner shops in Germany (xspirits.de, wennesschmeckensoll.de) and Switzerland (weinheld.ch), plus international export reach into the USA and China. Customer base is fragmented across individual premium spirits consumers and gifting buyers; the company avoids paid advertising in favor of word-of-mouth, tastings, newsletter, and co-branded partnerships (with SK Sturm football club, Gut Moser winery, and the Chaplin siblings). The company is a family-owned private limited company (Distillery Krauss GmbH) with no external funding, operating with a team of seven people.

Name

distillery krauss

Legal name

Distillery Krauss GmbH

Website

https://distillery-krauss.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Distillery Krauss is an Austrian family-owned craft distillery in Styria producing premium gin, whisky, rum, vermouth, vodka, liqueurs, and fruit brandies via traditional pot still distillation for direct-to-consumer and selective wholesale buyers in DACH and export markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (31214)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverage Production (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer) (AFAFAAAE), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG)

Keywords

• Craft spirits production
• Premium gin distillery
• Whiskey manufacturing
• Craft liqueur production
• Austrian distillery

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Martin im Sulmtal

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Spirits Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales of premium spirits including gin, whisky, rum, vermouth, liqueurs, and fruit brandies through own online shop, on-site sales, and partner distributors.
2. Whisky Investment/Fassverkauf: Sale of whole or quarter casks of whisky with 3 years storage included, allowing customers to invest in and later bottle their own aged whisky.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Distillery Krauss produces premium craft spirits using traditional copper pot still distillation at its facility in St. Martin im Sulmtal, Styria, Austria. Its portfolio includes 8+ gin varieties, single malt and blended whiskies, rums, vermouth, vodka, liqueurs, aperitifs, and fruit brandies (Edelbrände), sold directly to consumers and through wholesale partners. The company also offers whole-cask whisky investments with three-year storage included.

Product overview

Distillery Krauss is an Austrian spirits producer based in St. Martin im Sulmtal, Styria, that started in 2007 as a garage distillery. The company produces a broad portfolio of spirits including 8+ gin varieties (G+ Classic, Tangerine, Flower, Lemon editions; Saffron infused Dry Gin; Barrel Aged Dry Gin; London Dry Gin Bergamot Pepper; Organic London Dry Gin; STU Gin), whiskey/ whisky products (Sulm Valley Whiskey, Sulm Valley Whiskey 5 Years Aged, Single Malt Whisky, Peated Single Malt Whisky, Generation Whiskey), rum (Rum-Best of Europe, Cask Strength Unfiltered, White Rum, Master Blend Rum), vodka (Generation Vodka, Organic Flavored Vodkas with Black Currant and Rowan Berry), liqueurs and aperitifs (Ginerol, Organic Liqueur Orange, Liqueur Apple-Orange, Generation Aperitif), vermouth (Vermouth 700 Rosso), and edelbrände fruit brandies (Sulm Valley Apple). The company also offers ready-to-drink products (G+ Gin Tonic, Murique No. 1). Their products are characterized by regional Austrian ingredients including Styrian heirloom corn varieties, Alpine water, and organic botanicals, with a focus on quality spirits without additives like sugar, aromas, or colorings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• G+ (Danger Line): Gin product line including Classic Edition, Lemon Edition, Tangerine Edition, Flower Edition, and Saffron Edition gins. The brand label features a danger/warning symbol design.
• Exclusive Line
• Vermouth 700
• Generation Chaplin
• Sulm Valley

Products and services

• G+ Classic Edition Gin Flagship straight-line gin with dominant juniper notes complemented by citrus and floral hints. 500ml, €28.90.
• G+ Tangerine Edition Gin Gin featuring sun-ripened mandarins from Calabria and spicy thyme with juniper as key botanicals. 500ml, €32.90.
• G+ Flower Edition Gin Floral-forward gin featuring lavender, violet root, and chamomile with juniper supporting in the background.
• G+ Lemon Edition Gin Gin dedicated to sunny citrus fruits with various fruity-fresh to bitter citrus notes and light spicy accents.
• Saffron Infused Dry Gin Gin infused with Austrian saffron (primarily from Burgenland and Waldviertel), presenting golden and powerful in taste with subtle oiliness.
• Barrel Aged Dry Gin Barrel-aged gin featuring citrus-fruity and spicy character with mandarin, cardamom, and wood-vanilla notes from one year in used oak barrels.
• London Dry Gin Bergamot Pepper Gin combining Italian bergamot with Asian jungle pepper, presenting fruity with peppery sharpness.
• Organic London Dry Gin 100% organic gin with classic gin recipe featuring dominant juniper, citrus notes, and floral hints using hand-selected botanicals and ripe lemons. BIO-certified.
• STU Gin Collaborative gin with SK Sturm football club featuring fruity-Mediterranean character with Calabrian mandarins and thyme, with Styrian strength.
• Rum - Best of Europe Rum distilled from sugarcane molasses and aged in new American oak barrique barrels. Awarded Best Rum in Europe at International Sugarcane Spirits Awards 2020. 500ml, €59.90.
• Cask Strength Unfiltered Rum Faceted, fruity rum using special Caribbean yeast, bottled at cask strength (56.8% vol) unfiltered to preserve fruit notes.
• White Rum White rum made from sugarcane molasses using Caribbean special yeast, featuring fruity notes of pineapple and mango. Aged in stainless steel for several months to a year.
• Master Blend Rum First release of the Master Blend Collection blending Styrian rum with Caribbean rums, featuring vanilla and dried fruit notes. Awarded Best in Show at Miami Global Spirit Awards 2025.
• Sulm Valley Whiskey Regional whiskey produced using traditional methods with an original Styrian heirloom corn variety (Gleisdorfer Landmais). Awarded Best World Whiskey in Las Vegas with 98 points.
• Sulm Valley Whiskey 5 Years Aged Sulm Valley Whiskey made from heirloom corn variety with wheat caramel malt and rye, aged 5 years in new American oak (220L). Limited to 766 numbered bottles. 500ml, €109.90.
• Single Malt Whisky Limited edition single malt from various malt types, some heavily roasted, featuring complex layers and long finish. Distilled in original Schwanberg garage location. 500ml, €69.90.
• Peated Single Malt Whisky Peated single malt whisky using local Styrian peat from Koralpe for smoking barley malt. Limited to 1441 numbered bottles. Awarded Platinum at Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards.
• Generation Irish Single Malt Whiskey Irish Single Malt whiskey from the GENERATION CHAPLIN line, double distilled (deviating from Irish tradition), featuring banana, fresh apple, and wheat beer notes with 46% vol.
• Generation Vodka Vodka from wheat distillate matured in stainless steel tanks. Part of the GENERATION CHAPLIN line, awarded Platinum at Las Vegas Spirits Awards (96 points).
• Organic Flavored Vodka Black Currant First organic product from the distillery, with black currants macerated in neutral grain alcohol for several weeks then distilled, blended with organic vodka.
• Organic Flavored Vodka Rowan Berry Organic vodka with rowan berries (Vogelbeeren) macerated in neutral grain alcohol, producing mild vodka with hints of marzipan.
• Vermouth 700 Rosso Vermouth created with Gut Moser winery (Austria's highest at 700m elevation). Based on Zweigelt wine spritized with neutral alcohol and G+ Tangerine Edition Gin, kept intentionally dry. 750ml, €24.90.
• Ginerol Aperitif Aperitif featuring gentian root for characteristic bitter twist. 16% vol, recommended 1:2 with Murelli Rhubarb Mint. Awarded Gold at Las Vegas Global Spirit Award 2024. 700ml, €15.90.
• Organic Orange Liqueur Orange liqueur using only ripe organic oranges; only peels macerated in neutral alcohol, then essential oils distilled. Minimum required sugar added, 45% vol.
• Liqueur Apple-Orange Liqueur combining orange and apple brandy, opening new taste experience. Uses organic oranges and the distillery's award-winning apple brandy.
• Generation Aperitif Bitter liqueur from the GENERATION CHAPLIN line with bitter notes from gentian extract and fruity notes of raspberry and grapefruit. Awarded Gold at Las Vegas Spirits Awards (93 points).
• Sulm Valley Apple (Edelbrand) Apple brandy (Edelbrand) made from Braeburn apples, hand-sorted and machine-washed, double distilled, then aged in oak barrels. Awarded Platinum at Las Vegas 2020.
• Whisky Cask Investment (Whole & Quarter Casks) Sale of whole or quarter casks of whisky with 3 years storage included, allowing customers to invest in and later bottle their own aged whisky. Approximately 400 bottles (whole) or 100 bottles (quarter) at 43% vol.
• G+ Gin Tonic (Ready-to-Drink) Ready-to-drink Gin and Tonic product available directly from the distillery during normal opening hours.
• Murique No. 1 (Aperitif RTD) Ready-to-drink aperitif available directly from the distillery during normal opening hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ double gold and gold medals at national and international competitions
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gut MosercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partner for Vermouth 700 product line. Gut Moser, located in Leutschach at 700m altitude (the highest winery in Austria), provides the Sauvignon Blanc base wine for the vermouth production. This collaboration creates the distinctive Vermouth 700 product combining Styrian wine with Distillery Krauss gin expertise.
• SK SturmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to create STU Gin - a fruitily Mediterranean gin celebrating the Styrian football club SK Sturm. The gin features Calabrian mandarins and thyme, representing Styrian strength and Mediterranean flair.
• Naturprodukte Imhof (Alexander Imhof)coreOthersSupplier of steirische Urmaissorte (ancient Styrian corn variety) cultivated exclusively in the Sulm valley for whisky production. Also provides Emmer and Spelt for whiskey variants. Partnership essential for regional authenticity of Sulm Valley Whiskey products.
• xspirits.deminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner shop for German market - customers in Germany are directed to use this reseller channel for orders.
• wennesschmeckensoll.deminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner shop for German market - customers in Germany are directed to use this reseller channel for orders.
• weinheld.chminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner shop for Swiss market - customers in Switzerland are directed to use this reseller channel for orders.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hendrick's Gin: Mass-premium gin brand owned by William Grant & Sons with broad global distribution. Comparable as a benchmark for premium gin category positioning and multi-edition portfolio approach, though at vastly larger scale.
• The Botanist Islay Dry Gin: Premium craft-style gin produced by Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay. Comparable on terroir-led gin branding, regional ingredient storytelling, and multi-product craft spirits portfolio anchored by a single malt distillery.

Direct peers

• Monkey 47: Premium craft gin from Germany's Black Forest, internationally recognized and award-winning. Comparable on craft gin category leadership, multi-edition portfolio strategy, and global premium positioning - though at significantly larger scale.
• Hochstrasser Whisky: Austrian craft whisky and spirits producer operating in a similar size band to Distillery Krauss. Comparable on Austrian single malt and craft spirits production at family/small-team scale with direct-to-consumer emphasis.
• Mackmyra Svensk Whisky: Swedish craft whisky distillery known for terroir-driven single malts and innovation. Comparable on craft single malt production, regional ingredient emphasis, and modern brand-building at small-to-mid scale.
• Brennerei Reisetbauer: Austrian premium fruit brandy and whisky distillery in Upper Austria, also family-led and award-recognized internationally. Comparable on Edelbrand fruit brandy heritage, premium pricing, and craft-scale pot-still production.
• Brennerei Zottler: Austrian Styrian distillery producing gin, whisky, fruit brandies and liqueurs from regional ingredients. Directly comparable on Austrian craft spirits positioning, multi-category portfolio and family ownership structure.
• Brennerei Guglhof: Austrian family-owned distillery (Salzburg) producing single malt whisky, gin, and Edelbrände with strong international award pedigree. Directly comparable premium craft spirits model with similar emphasis on terroir-driven, additive-free production.
• Brennerei Stin: Austrian craft distillery based in Styria producing gin, whisky, liqueurs and fruit brandies at similar scale to Distillery Krauss. Closely comparable on product breadth (multiple gin editions, whisky, liqueurs), regional Austrian positioning, and family/founder-led operations.

Emerging players

• Millstone Dutch Whisky: Craft single malt whisky producer from the Netherlands (Zuidam Distillers) with award-winning portfolio at similar small-batch scale. Comparable on premium European craft whisky production, family ownership, and direct-to-consumer emphasis.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/distillery-krauss-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about distillery krauss