World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now
The ultimate guide through the world of spirits - with current ratings of the best distilleries and commercial enterprises.
Order it now on-line: for Euro 72.- per year
Order it now on-line: for Euro 72.- per year
Handel
Company:
Bimmerle KG Private Distillery
Address:
Önsbacherstraße 40
Place:
77855 Achern
Country:
Germany
Homepage:
Products:
- Spirituosen Wiederverkauf
- Destillerie
Bimmerle: Know-how meets regionality and trend awareness
At the production site in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, this family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with focussed know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all the heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.
In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand. In order to make the ‘playground’ more interesting, the brand identity was modernised in 2024 and will be extended in 2025 by a fruit brandy range matured in wooden casks. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with WOOD STORK Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022. The Black Forest distillery has enriched the liqueur and aperitif market with as many as five exciting creations under the DON PASQUALE brand.
The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Gold for Don Pasquale Limoncello Liqueur, Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Wood Stork Spiced Rum, Lörch Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör (vanilla cream liqueur), Needle Gin Green, Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Liqueur, Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Liqueur, Don Pasquale Hazelnut Liqueur and Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör (Linzer tart cream liqueur). Silver was awarded to Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin, Needle Gin Rosé, Don Pasquale Pistachio Cream Liqueur, Lörch Bratapfel Sahnelikör (baked apple cream liqueur), Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (pear spirit aged in a wooden cask) and Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (apricot spirit aged in a wooden cask), and Bronze to Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (fruit spirit aged in a wooden cask).
At the production site in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, this family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with focussed know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all the heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.
In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand. In order to make the ‘playground’ more interesting, the brand identity was modernised in 2024 and will be extended in 2025 by a fruit brandy range matured in wooden casks. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with WOOD STORK Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022. The Black Forest distillery has enriched the liqueur and aperitif market with as many as five exciting creations under the DON PASQUALE brand.
The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Gold for Don Pasquale Limoncello Liqueur, Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Wood Stork Spiced Rum, Lörch Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör (vanilla cream liqueur), Needle Gin Green, Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Liqueur, Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Liqueur, Don Pasquale Hazelnut Liqueur and Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör (Linzer tart cream liqueur). Silver was awarded to Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin, Needle Gin Rosé, Don Pasquale Pistachio Cream Liqueur, Lörch Bratapfel Sahnelikör (baked apple cream liqueur), Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (pear spirit aged in a wooden cask) and Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (apricot spirit aged in a wooden cask), and Bronze to Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (fruit spirit aged in a wooden cask).
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 95 | Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Likör | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Wood Stork Spiced Rum | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92.7 | Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Likör | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92.3 | Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92.3 | Needle Gin Green | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Don Pasquale Limoncello Likör | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Don Pasquale Haselnuss Likör | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 90 | Lörch Waldhimbeergeist | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 90 | Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 89 | Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 88 | Don Pasquale Pistazien Sahnelikör | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 87 | Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 87 | Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 85 | Lörich Bratapfel Sahnelikör | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 84 | Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 83 | Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 83 | Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 83 | Needle Gin Rosé | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 82 | Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 81 | Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert | 2025 | Details |
| Bronze | 79 | Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert | 2025 | Details |
Handel
Company:
DBC PR - Jim Beam Suntory
Address:
1027 33rd St NW
Place:
20007 Washington
Country:
United States
Products:
- Spirituosen Wiederverkauf
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.
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.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 93.7 | Knob Creek Rye Whiskey Small Batch | 2016 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon | 2016 | Details |
| Gold | 91.7 | Knob Creek Straight Bourbon | 2016 | Details |
Destillerie
Company:
Feinbrennerei Sasse - Lagerkorn GmH
Address:
Düsseldorfer Straße 20
Place:
48624 Schöppingen
Country:
Germany
Homepage:
Products:
- Obst-Brände
- Korn
- Obst-Geiste & Spirituosen
- Bitter-Kräuter
Feinbrennerei Sasse: A pioneer of Korn distilling
Feinbrennerei Sasse perfectly combines the tradition of craftsmanship with the development of innovation. On the evening of St. Nicholas’ Day in 1987, Rüdiger Sasse held a bottle of Korn (grain distillate) in his hand, which his grandfather had distilled decades before. This moment was the inspiration for an idea that was to change the world of distilling, namely to redefine Korn as a high-quality spirit.
Sasse was the first distillery to recognise the potential of barrique ageing for Korn and perfected it. The resulting mild, golden Korn is a matured and complex grain distillate that no longer has anything in common with the simple ‘clear spirit’ produced long ago. Today, young and committed distillers continue the tradition, believe in regional raw materials, water from their own spring and organic ingredients. In Schöppingen, high-quality distillates are created with lots of passion and patience, handcrafted from the first ingredient through to the final bottling. This way, Feinbrennerei Sasse not only retains its history of almost 300 years but makes it shine again and again with new ideas.
The World Class Distillery 2025 was awarded Gold to Nju Korn Mild, Lagerkorn V.S.O.P., Nju Korn fruchtig, Nju Korn wuchtig, Lagerkorn Atlantic Finish, Cigar Special, Lagerkorn Rebellion, Heide Gin, Lagerkorn Good Luck Preussen and Limoncello.
Feinbrennerei Sasse perfectly combines the tradition of craftsmanship with the development of innovation. On the evening of St. Nicholas’ Day in 1987, Rüdiger Sasse held a bottle of Korn (grain distillate) in his hand, which his grandfather had distilled decades before. This moment was the inspiration for an idea that was to change the world of distilling, namely to redefine Korn as a high-quality spirit.
Sasse was the first distillery to recognise the potential of barrique ageing for Korn and perfected it. The resulting mild, golden Korn is a matured and complex grain distillate that no longer has anything in common with the simple ‘clear spirit’ produced long ago. Today, young and committed distillers continue the tradition, believe in regional raw materials, water from their own spring and organic ingredients. In Schöppingen, high-quality distillates are created with lots of passion and patience, handcrafted from the first ingredient through to the final bottling. This way, Feinbrennerei Sasse not only retains its history of almost 300 years but makes it shine again and again with new ideas.
The World Class Distillery 2025 was awarded Gold to Nju Korn Mild, Lagerkorn V.S.O.P., Nju Korn fruchtig, Nju Korn wuchtig, Lagerkorn Atlantic Finish, Cigar Special, Lagerkorn Rebellion, Heide Gin, Lagerkorn Good Luck Preussen and Limoncello.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 95 | Lagerkorn Rebbellion | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Cigar Special | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92.3 | Nju Korn wuchtig | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92.3 | Lagerkorn Atlantic Finish | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Nju Korn Mild | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Lagerkorn V.S.O.P. | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Nju Korn fruchtig | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 91 | Limonchello Artigiano | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 91 | Heide Gin | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 91 | Lagerkorn Good Luck Preussen | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 89 | Sasse Sechser | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 81 | Totrokken | 2025 | Details |
Destillerie
Company:
Windspiel Manufaktur GmbH
Place:
54570 Berlingen
Country:
Germany
Homepage:
Products:
- Gin
Windspiel: From the field to the bottle
At the Weilerhof farm in the Vulkaneifel region, Sandra Wimmeler and Denis Lönnendonker grow the pota-toes for their down-to-earth spirit, which is all produced by hand: from sorting to attaching the ribbons to the gold ring on the bottleneck. After the harvest, the potatoes are carefully washed, finely ground, added to drinking water and worked into a pumpable paste. This is heated to destroy any germs, and the transfor-mation from starch to sugar begins. After slowly being cooled down, a special yeast is added and the mash ferments in a tank. After three rounds of distillation, the basis for all the products is finished – an alcohol with a delicate mildness and characteristic potato note.
For the Premium Dry Gin juniper, lemon peel, coriander, lavender blossoms, ginger and cinnamon are added (the rest remains a secret). The Reserve is stored for many months in oak barrels and is exceptionally mild with its 50 percent alcohol by volume – perfect for enjoying on the rocks. The Navy Strength with 57 percent alcohol by volume is rounded off by ingredients from the routes of the colonial rulers from the past. For the Sloe Gin, hand-selected sloes from the Eifel region are preserved in 70 percent Premium Dry Gin, before the macerate is mixed with the 47 percent gin, sloe juice and sugar. The 30 percent juice adds a subtle sweetness to the bitter note – an ideal sundowner. The product range is completed by barrel matured vodka and a herb spirit.
At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Windspiel Premium Dry Gin, Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Navy Strength, Windspiel Premium Sloe Gin and Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Reserve.
At the Weilerhof farm in the Vulkaneifel region, Sandra Wimmeler and Denis Lönnendonker grow the pota-toes for their down-to-earth spirit, which is all produced by hand: from sorting to attaching the ribbons to the gold ring on the bottleneck. After the harvest, the potatoes are carefully washed, finely ground, added to drinking water and worked into a pumpable paste. This is heated to destroy any germs, and the transfor-mation from starch to sugar begins. After slowly being cooled down, a special yeast is added and the mash ferments in a tank. After three rounds of distillation, the basis for all the products is finished – an alcohol with a delicate mildness and characteristic potato note.
For the Premium Dry Gin juniper, lemon peel, coriander, lavender blossoms, ginger and cinnamon are added (the rest remains a secret). The Reserve is stored for many months in oak barrels and is exceptionally mild with its 50 percent alcohol by volume – perfect for enjoying on the rocks. The Navy Strength with 57 percent alcohol by volume is rounded off by ingredients from the routes of the colonial rulers from the past. For the Sloe Gin, hand-selected sloes from the Eifel region are preserved in 70 percent Premium Dry Gin, before the macerate is mixed with the 47 percent gin, sloe juice and sugar. The 30 percent juice adds a subtle sweetness to the bitter note – an ideal sundowner. The product range is completed by barrel matured vodka and a herb spirit.
At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Windspiel Premium Dry Gin, Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Navy Strength, Windspiel Premium Sloe Gin and Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Reserve.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 94 | Windspiel Premium Dry Gin | 2019 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Windspiel Premium Sloe Gin | 2019 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Reserve | 2019 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Windspiel Premium Dry Gin Navy Strength | 2019 | Details |