World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Wacholderbär: Organic Dry Gin from three professionals

Out of passion for honest and good products, three true experts have developed an Austrian premium gin. Traditionally distilled, with patience and a love of detail, from the finest organic ingredients from the region, with no artificial aromas or additives.

The Tyrolean Christian Auer is a top sommelier, restaurant owner and service manager. The gastronomy professional knows what guests want and usually recognises trends in the culinary, wine and catering trades before they become mainstream. David Gölles is an international award-winning distiller from Styria. His principles are unrestricted quality, down-to-earth honesty, authentic closeness to nature and a constant effort to be better. Clemens Strobl is an organic winegrower in the pioneering region of Wagram an der Donau. On his vineyard he produces wines with character and rough edges. Honest, unconventional products for individualists.

This trio can be discovered in their gin compositions: Roots & Wild Herbs symbolise the classical Tyrolean with the roots and wild herbs giving it its special note. Juniper, herbs, roots and cardamom are the botanicals used here. Styrian Apples & Elder symbolise the fruity Styrian. Topaz apples and elderberries give off colour and aroma. This crea- tion is rounded off with a little ginger. Veltliner Grapes & Saffron symbolise the elegant Lower Austrian. The subtle yellow colour comes from saffron and the delicate floral note comes from rose petals. The Veltliner grapes give it its mild, aromatic flavour.

At the World Spirits Award, there was a hat-trick of golds: Wacholderbär Roots & Wild Herbs, Wacholderbär Styrian Apples & Elder, Wacholderbär Veltliner Grapes & Saffron.

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.

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.

Beim World-Spirits Award 2025 gab es Gold für Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey, Dúchas Irish Whiskey, Silver für Ardfallen Triple Cask Whiskey, Boyle‘s Sloe & Damson Gin, Dolmen Honey Moonshine.