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Jim Beam Distillery – Bourbon straight on

Knob Creek is named after a rivulet in Kentucky, the home of President Abraham Lincoln. His steadfast attitude seems to serve as an example for this straightforward bourbon. The square ‘chemist’s bottle’ suits these traditional values perfectly, as does the striking label which is reminiscent of the old tradition of wrapping bottles in newspaper. To this day, a mixture of experience and craftsmanship is the recipe for success for the bourbon from Knob Creek.

The bourbon was at the peak of its success in 1919, when the nationwide prohibition of the sale, manufacture and transport of alcohol began – lasting until 1933. Following this, a new start was impossible for many distilleries; others couldn’t finance the customary long maturing process of the bourbon. This situation motivated Booker Noe to revive the traditional bourbon style from the time before the prohibition: rich in aroma, with discreet sweetness due to year-long maturation in strongly ‘toasted’ wooden barrels from American white oak. In 1950, he joined the family business – his mother was the daughter of Jim Beam, which meant bourbon was already in his blood – and completed his training as Master Distiller. With the small series of premium bourbon he launched, the term ‘batch’ (small) was established and revolutionised the industry. His son, Fred Noe, continues with this clear strategy: “I learnt the business from scratch, listened to my father and learnt on the job. I know what it means to make perfect bourbon. Each bottle is a reflection of my family.” Since 1992, the Knob Creek brand has represented these values with the perfect combination of tradition and top quality.

A golden trio was successful at the World Spirits Award: Knob Creek Rye Whiskey Small Batch, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon and Knob Creek Straight Bourbon.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

Martin Doll Vintage Distillery - Great Fruit Variety on the Wine Route

Master fruit grower, winegrower and distiller Martin Doll lives and works in a particularly beautiful part of Germany – at the Baden Wine Route. Picturesque timbered houses and bridges festooned with flowers are typical of Durbach, the winegrowing village in the charming landscape between the Rhine valley and the Black Forest. Durbach sprawls over 42 side valleys. Here in the warmest area of Germany, climatic conditions are excellent and farmers grow wine and fruit. Approximately 230 small distilleries provide a broad spectrum of fine spirits, above all, the famous Black Forest Kirsch.
The winery and distillery of the Doll family are located in the Gebirg district of Durbach, surrounded by vineyards and ridges densely covered with chestnut trees. The Doll’s distilling tradition on the estate dates back to 1802. The family’s goal is to develop the estate independent of large trade conglomerates.
They process only fruit from their own vineyards and orchard meadows. The product line comprises brandies made from berries, pomaceous and drupaceous fruits, distillates matured in wooden casks, marc made from various grape varieties, rare products such as medlar, blackthorn and Jerusalem artichoke specialities, and liqueurs and fruit wines. The local favourite is the Black Forest Kirsch. A secret favourite among schnapps connoisseurs, according to Martin Doll, is Zibärtli, a wild mirabelle plum which has been growing here for more than 500 years.
The company’s participation in the World-Spirits Award resulted in an overall ranking of 19th for the fruit brandies as a “First-Class Distillery” with a gold (medlar) and four silvers (blackcurrant, mirabelle plum, Zibärtli and red Williams pear) for the regional specialities.

Mar Azul: Top tequila from Jalisco

Mar Azul Tequila is owned and run by Susana Sutton, who has given tequila a new look. The Mar Azul brand grew from the idea of producing an affordable premium tequila that met high international demands but would be based on a family recipe with natural ingredients, without artificial additives or sugar. More than a decade ago the vision began to take shape, in which every step from cultivation to bottling is strictly controlled by the family. The first agave fields were planted in Jalisco, the historical birthplace of tequila, with ideal conditions for the blue agave. Eight years later the first harvest took place, and thus began their dream of an excellent tequila.

The brand’s standards apply to the individual production steps as much as they do to the broad taste spectrum and innovative marketing, especially in terms of the imaginative bottle design. Only the ‘heart’ of the agave is boiled in stainless steel ovens (autoclaves), the distillate passes through an ultra-filtration process and a customised ageing process in white oak barrels from Kentucky. The product range includes traditional and flavoured tequila, with Añejo, Reposado and Blanco on one side, and coffee, almond, chocolate, banana, coconut, mint and pomegranate flavours on the other. These are sweetened with agave nectar, which further emphasises the unique taste.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Mar Azul Tequila Añejo, silver for Mar Azul Banana Tequila, Mar Azul 100% Agave Azul Chocolate, Mar Azul Tequila Pomegranate and Mar Azul Tequila Coconut.