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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.
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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.
AwardsPointsSpiritEventDetail
Gold 93.7Knob Creek Rye Whiskey Small Batch2016Details
Gold 93Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon2016Details
Gold 91.7Knob Creek Straight Bourbon2016Details

Handel

Company:
BURSCHIK`S R. Nfg. Erste österr. Wermutwein-Kellerei
Address:
Zinckgasse 8
Place:
1150 Wien
Country:
Austria
Products:
  • Spirituosen Wiederverkauf
  • Destillerie


AwardsPointsSpiritEventDetail
Gold 92.3Burschik's Vermouth Klassik2021Details
Gold 92Burschik's Vermouth Oak2021Details
Gold 91.3Burschik's Vermouth Dry2021Details
Silver 88Burschik's Vermouth Red2021Details

Destillerie

Company:
Brennerei Zauser
Address:
Fluh 18
Place:
6900 Bregenz
Country:
Austria
Products:
  • Obst-Brände
Johann Zauser – The pleasure of the senses with fruit in a glass

Even in his younger years, Johann Zauser busied himself by practising with time-honoured copper distillery equipment at his family’s small farmhouse in Fluh above Bregenz. In 1992, he created a distilling device with a water bath for his “Brennhüsle” distillery, located behind a townhouse. With top-quality brandies made from berries, as well as pomaceous and drupaceous fruits, he went on to be named distiller of the year in Vorarlberg ten times in the period from 1993 to 2003, and he also achieved great success at national and international tastings.

The annual quantities produced remained low, as distilling was only a part-time occupation. However, a significant amount of his free time was invested in fruit growing and distilling. Over time, his participation in quality contests reduced and took only place at certain intervals for the purpose of assessing the quality of his products. There was no need for marketing as the majority of the brandies were quickly sold to regular customers in the region and it was not even possible to meet demand.

The company has been closely collaborating with Pfanner since 2009 “in search of all things new and sophisticated, combined with quality and tradition,” as they both stress. The Zauser product range comprises 18 distillates from pear to Muscatel brandy. These are still distilled under the direction of Johann Zauser. The plant in Fluh was adapted to meet the highest technical standards in 2010. “We are very pleased to be able to utilise his extensive expertise and that he continues to monitor his life’s work with such conviction. At the same time, we see this as a commitment to the future,” explains Walter Pfanner.

A great success at the World-Spirits Award: 10th place as a World-Class Distillery in the fruit brandy category with five golds and two silvers.
AwardsPointsSpiritEventDetail
Gold 92Holunder2011Details
Gold 92Quitte2011Details
Gold 90.3Muskateller Tresterbrand2011Details
Gold 90Wachauer Marille2011Details
Gold 90Himbeere2011Details
Silver 89Williams2011Details
Silver 88Wahlische Birne2011Details

Destillerie

Company:
Kiuchi Brewing and Distilling Inc.
Address:
1257 Kounosu Naka-shi
Place:
3110133 Ibaraki
Country:
Japan
Products:
  • Obst-Brände
  • Shopping
  • Saki
  • Whisky Allgemein
Kiuchi Brewing and Distilling: Authentic products with a long tradition

The Kiuchi sake brewery was founded in 1823 in the city of Naka in Ibaraki Prefecture. High-quality ingredients and great craftsmanship have been used for generations. When Mikio Kiuchi took over the brewery in the 1950s, the sake industry, like the rest of the economy, was growing rapidly, flooding the market with mass-produced goods. However, Kiuchi stuck to its high-end philosophy, the trademark of the company since its foundation. The family seized the opportunity of entering the craft beer market, buying equipment from abroad and incorporating their sake brewing experience into beer production. The whiskey business was launched in 2016, and the ‘Hinomaru Whiskey’ and ‘Hinomaru Gin’ brands were created to mark the anniversary year 2023.

Traditions have been passed on and refined in the search for authentic sake brewing. An old community centre was renovated and became the new location of the brewery and distillery. This is a meeting place where people from the area gather and chat as they used to, and can now also enjoy a whiskey. In addition to a tour and a tasting corner, there is also a popular restaurant.

At the World Spirits Award, the First Class Distillery received gold for Hinomaru Gin Craft, Kiuchi rice shochu Ginka edition, silver for Kikusakari Awashizuku Sparkling Sake Vintage 2008, Hinomaru Whiskey Sakura Cask aged 6 years, Hinomaru Whiskey SAKURA blended, Hinomaru Whiskey Signature 1823, Hinomaru whisky The 1st barrels, and bronze for Hinomaru whisky sherry cask 6 years.
AwardsPointsSpiritEventDetail
Gold 92Kiuchi rice shochu Ginka edition2024Details
Gold 91Hinomaru Gin Craft2024Details
Silver 89.3Kikusakari Awashizuku Sparkling sake vintage 20082024Details
Silver 89Hinomaru whisky Signature 18232024Details
Silver 89Hinomaru whisky Port cask finish 6 years2024Details
Silver 87Hinomaru whisky SAKURARA blended2024Details
Silver 87Hinomaru whisky The 1st barrels2024Details
Silver 80Hinomaru whisky Sakura cask 6 years2024Details
Bronze 74Hinomaru whisky sherry cask 6 years2024Details

WSA Short & Sweet

WSA GUIDE 2027

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