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KeyPharm Laboratories: Team work for organic gin

Master distillers, mixologists and the research and development team at KeyPharm – a Belgian company spe-cialising in medical plants and herbs – stand behind a special organic gin which involves 50 carefully selected plants and herbs. The botanicals are divided into six groups, according to their aromas: herbs (juniper, pep-per, ginger, rosemary, angelica, gentian, cardamom, coriander, marjoram, etc.), blossoms (lavender, camo-mile, lilac, rose, etc.), leaves (lime, eucalyptus, myrtle, green tea, etc.), fresh tangerines, limes and berries (‘Biotona Superfruits’).

After 72 hours of separate maceration in 96% organic alcohol, distillation takes place in a traditional copper still, and spring water is added later to reach the desired drinking strength of 44 percent by volume. The re-sult is a gin with a delicate aroma, a complex body and good balance.

The Herbalist can be served in many ways, some recipes can be found on the website https://theherbalist.bio – along with instructions for making the perfect Gin & Tonic.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for The Herbalist.

Aber Falls Distillery: Authentic whisky from Wales

The Aber Falls Distillery, opened in 2017, is the first whisky distillery in northern Wales in more than 100 years. It is situated in the village of Abergwyngregyn at the foot of the famous Aber Falls waterfall, which attracts over 50,000 visitors a year. The brand is part of the Halewood portfolio and is led by managing director James Wright along with a team of distillers. Whiskies, gins and liqueurs are made of sustainably sourced regional raw ingredients. Since the first products were brought to market, the brand value has increased and significant growth has been achieved. This allows the team to concentrate on the development of a wide range of whiskies.

Aber Falls pursues a field-to-field approach, a novelty in north Wales, in which only 100% Welsh malted barley is used and all waste from the distillery is given back to local farms, which use it as fertiliser or cattle fodder. The maximisation of local resources ensures that the ingredients are of the highest quality and that the regional economy is supported. Local raw ingredients and local people are the key to making authentic spirits – from the barley from neighbouring farmers to the sourcing of water from the stream next to the distillery. The majority of the team comes from the region and many employees speak both English and Welsh. Apart from a visitor centre, bistro and shop, a farmers’ market is also run with Welsh foods and drinks, to support local producers.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to Aber Falls Single Malt Whisky.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.

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.