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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Destillerie
Company:
Destillerie Franz Bauer GmbH
Address:
Prankergasse 29-31
Place:
8020 Graz
Country:
Austria
Homepage:
Products:
- Obst-Brände
- Obst-Geiste & Spirituosen
- Liköre
- Spirituosen Wiederverkauf
Destillerie Franz Bauer: Fruit in its clearest form/b>
The Franz Bauer distillery has been involved for 100 years in the processing and refinement of fruits and captures their aromatic richness in various distillates. The company was founded in 1920 as a distillery business in Gamlitz and Ehrenhausen. Some years later, the current company head office was acquired in Prankergasse. Today, Bauer is the only still existing distillery in Graz. The fruit and bonded distillery is among the most modern, steam-heated distillation plants in Europe. Over a million kilograms of fruit are distilled carefully here annually using the traditional method of double distillation.
Processing the fresh fruits requires great care in the various production steps. Each distillate has at least a year’s time to be able to fully develop, and is stored in various stainless steel, wooden or clay containers. The result: consistent quality, bottle for bottle – for 100 years. This is what sets the Franz Bauer Distillery apart. The ‘Distillery Tour’, which includes a tasting (detailed information at: www.bauerspirits.com), provides an insight into the entire production process.
The Master Class Distillery 2021 and World Class Distillery 2021 (Distillery of the Year 2021 – Gold & World Spirits Award) received double gold for Green Panther Kürbiskernlikör (pumpkin seed liqueur) (Spirit of the Year 2021) and Wodka Mikitra, and in addition 24 golds and 13 silvers.
The Franz Bauer distillery has been involved for 100 years in the processing and refinement of fruits and captures their aromatic richness in various distillates. The company was founded in 1920 as a distillery business in Gamlitz and Ehrenhausen. Some years later, the current company head office was acquired in Prankergasse. Today, Bauer is the only still existing distillery in Graz. The fruit and bonded distillery is among the most modern, steam-heated distillation plants in Europe. Over a million kilograms of fruit are distilled carefully here annually using the traditional method of double distillation.
Processing the fresh fruits requires great care in the various production steps. Each distillate has at least a year’s time to be able to fully develop, and is stored in various stainless steel, wooden or clay containers. The result: consistent quality, bottle for bottle – for 100 years. This is what sets the Franz Bauer Distillery apart. The ‘Distillery Tour’, which includes a tasting (detailed information at: www.bauerspirits.com), provides an insight into the entire production process.
The Master Class Distillery 2021 and World Class Distillery 2021 (Distillery of the Year 2021 – Gold & World Spirits Award) received double gold for Green Panther Kürbiskernlikör (pumpkin seed liqueur) (Spirit of the Year 2021) and Wodka Mikitra, and in addition 24 golds and 13 silvers.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double-Gold | 96 | Bauer Green Panther Kürbiskernlikör | 2021 | Details |
| Double-Gold | 95.3 | Wodka Mikitra | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 95 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Vogelbeer Geist | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 94.3 | Bauer Minzling | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Bauer JagerTee | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Bauer Karamell küsst die Kaffeebohne | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Stroganoff Vodka | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Wodka Nikita | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Orangerie Triple Sec | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | Bauer Spirit of the Alps ZirbenZauber | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 93.3 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Zwetschken Schnaps | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Baracuda White Light Rum | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Bauer Orangenpunsch | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 92.7 | Bauer Heiße Hexe | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 92.7 | Bauer Rumpunsch | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 92.3 | Bauer Kuss der Haselnuss | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Freiherr von Pranck Tresterbrand | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 91.3 | Bauer Geile Nuss | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 91 | Freiherr von Pranck Zwetschkenbrand Fass Kollektion | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 91 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Würziger Wacholder | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 91 | Bauer Spirit of the Alps Wurzelsepp | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 90.3 | Bauer Inländer Rum | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 90 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Marillen-Schnaps | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 90 | Stroganoff Red Spirit | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 90 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Kirschen-Schnaps | 2021 | Details |
| Gold | 90 | Bauer Waldbeerpunsch | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 89 | Bauer Weichsel Likör mit Bierbrand | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 89 | Bauer Marillenpunsch | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 88 | Bauer Schubi Dubi | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 88 | Bauer Früchte Punsch | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 88 | Bauer Bratapfelpunsch | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 87 | Freiherr von Pranck Marillenbrand Fass Kollektion | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 87 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Obst-Schnaps | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 86 | Bauer Gold Nuss Haselnusslikör | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 84 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Williamsbirnen Schnaps | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 84 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Himbeer Geist | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 83 | Bauer Styrian Panther Spirit - Gebirgsenzian | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 83 | Bauer Spirit of the Alps Latschentraum | 2021 | Details |
| Silver | 80 | Bauer Hirschkrah | 2021 | Details |
Destillerie
Company:
Gautier Mückstein & Ellinger GmbH
Address:
Hermann-Mark-Gasse 6
Place:
1100 Wien
Country:
Austria
Homepage:
Products:
- Rum
- Obst-Geiste & Spirituosen
Gautier-Mückstein: Tradition meets innovation
For generations, the traditional family business Gautier-Mückstein has been pampering people’s palates. The company produces over one million bottles a year and has an impressive portfolio of innovative products such as the ChocoLat range and vegan cream liqueurs, which were converted to plant-based in 2022. Classics such as hazelnut liqueur, the Kaiser-Franz-Josef range or seasonal creations such as punch cake liqueur or summery limoncello complete the range.
The history of Gautier-Mückstein began in 1880 in a small production facility in Vienna’s Schottenfeldgasse. The company has developed steadily since the takeover by Wilhelm Mückstein in 1948 and the integration of the Perchtoldsdorf company Gautier & Co in 1955. Today, the portfolio extends far beyond spirits and, since the integration of Ellinger & Co in 2007, also includes aromas, essences and raw materials for the food industry.
With many years of experience and a wide range of products, Gautier-Mückstein combines traditional values with modern developments and thus contributes to the diversity and quality of the Austrian spirits landscape.
The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Double Gold for ChocoLat Chocolate Chilli Liqueur 15% vol, and Gold for Unsere Haselnuss Spirituose 33% vol (hazelnut), Herbal Liqueur 27% vol, ChocoLat Chocolate Orange Liqueur 15% vol, ChocoLat Chocolate Nougat Liqueur 15% vol and Marzipan Cream Liqueur 15% vol. Silver was awarded to Punschkrapfenlikör 15% vol (punch cake liqueur) and Cherry Brandy Liqueur 20% vol, and Bronze to Hazelnut Cream Liqueur 15% vol.
For generations, the traditional family business Gautier-Mückstein has been pampering people’s palates. The company produces over one million bottles a year and has an impressive portfolio of innovative products such as the ChocoLat range and vegan cream liqueurs, which were converted to plant-based in 2022. Classics such as hazelnut liqueur, the Kaiser-Franz-Josef range or seasonal creations such as punch cake liqueur or summery limoncello complete the range.
The history of Gautier-Mückstein began in 1880 in a small production facility in Vienna’s Schottenfeldgasse. The company has developed steadily since the takeover by Wilhelm Mückstein in 1948 and the integration of the Perchtoldsdorf company Gautier & Co in 1955. Today, the portfolio extends far beyond spirits and, since the integration of Ellinger & Co in 2007, also includes aromas, essences and raw materials for the food industry.
With many years of experience and a wide range of products, Gautier-Mückstein combines traditional values with modern developments and thus contributes to the diversity and quality of the Austrian spirits landscape.
The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Double Gold for ChocoLat Chocolate Chilli Liqueur 15% vol, and Gold for Unsere Haselnuss Spirituose 33% vol (hazelnut), Herbal Liqueur 27% vol, ChocoLat Chocolate Orange Liqueur 15% vol, ChocoLat Chocolate Nougat Liqueur 15% vol and Marzipan Cream Liqueur 15% vol. Silver was awarded to Punschkrapfenlikör 15% vol (punch cake liqueur) and Cherry Brandy Liqueur 20% vol, and Bronze to Hazelnut Cream Liqueur 15% vol.
| Awards | Points | Spirit | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double-Gold | 95.7 | ChocoLat Schoko-Chili-Likör 15%vol | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 94.3 | ChocoLat Schoko-Nougat-Likör 15%vol | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 94 | ChocoLat Schoko-Orange-Likör 15%vol | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Unsere Haselnuss Spirituose 33% vol | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 93 | Marzipancremelikör 15%vol | 2025 | Details |
| Gold | 92 | Kräuterlikör 27% vol | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 89 | Cherry Brandy Likör 20%vol | 2025 | Details |
| Silver | 88 | Punschkrapfenlikör 15%vol | 2025 | Details |
| Bronze | 76 | Haselnusscremelikör 15%vol | 2025 | Details |
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 |
