Distillery Krauss is a modern Austrian craft distillery known for combining traditional fruit-brandy heritage with contemporary spirits such as gin and whisky. Located in St. Martin im Sulmtal in Styria, near the foothills of the Koralpe mountain range, the distillery has gained international recognition despite being relatively young.
Origins and Founders
Distillery Krauss was founded in 2007 by Carmen and Werner Krauss, both trained chemists with doctorates in technical chemistry. Their interest in distillation began after attending a short distilling course, which inspired them to install a small still in a 15-square-meter garage at Werner’s parents’ home.
What began as a hobby quickly turned into a serious craft. Their first experimental brandies entered regional tastings and unexpectedly won several medals, encouraging the couple to expand production and turn the project into a professional distillery.
Growth of the Distillery
Over time the distillery grew from a small garage operation using a 100-liter still into an internationally recognized spirits producer. In 2018 the company moved to a larger facility, allowing it to expand production and employ a small team while still maintaining a craft approach.
Even with this expansion, the original small still is still used for experimentation and new product development.
Spirits and Style
Krauss began with traditional Austrian fruit brandies, a category that emphasizes the purity of fruit and careful distillation. Over time the range expanded to include:
- Gin (their most internationally recognized product)
- Whisky
- Rum
- Vodka
- Apple brandy and other fruit eaux-de-vie
- Specialty spirits such as anise and flavored vodka
Their philosophy combines local ingredients, alpine water, and careful small-batch distillation, reflecting both Austrian fruit-spirit traditions and modern craft distilling techniques.
International Recognition
Despite its relatively young age, Distillery Krauss has received dozens of international awards. Highlights include:
- “Distillery of the Year” at the World Spirits Awards
- Numerous gold and double-gold medals for gin, brandy, and whisky
- Recognition for its Saffron-infused Dry Gin and fruit brandies
- Around 100 medals across international competitions
Their Sulm Valley Whisky has also been highly rated in global competitions, helping place Austria on the modern whisky map.
A Modern Austrian Distilling Success
Distillery Krauss represents a new generation of European craft distilleries—small, technically skilled producers blending science, tradition, and innovation. From humble garage beginnings, the distillery has grown into an internationally awarded producer whose spirits showcase both Styrian fruit traditions and contemporary craft distilling.
