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Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery: The American Dream exemplified

For Andy and Charlie Nelson, a small town in Tennessee became their destiny in 2006. When they mentioned their family’s historic whiskey business in a butcher shop on Distillery Road, they were referred to the local historian. He proudly presented them with two perfectly preserved bottles of Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, made by their great-great-great-grandfather Charles. Having found out that he was one of the most successful whiskey distillers in America before Prohibition, they decided to revive the family business.

The brothers have always had a lot in common. Both studied humanities, are history buffs, true Southern gentlemen and proud of their family roots. When they set out to revive the distillery, which had been founded around 1800, they embarked on a great journey not just to make and sell whiskey, but to rebuild a company that had helped to popularise the term Tennessee whiskey in America and Europe. By researching, sourcing capital and producing brands in small quantities according to original recipes, they are prime examples of the ‘American Dream’.

If you like stories about sunken ships, lost gold, a woman who ran a distillery before women were allowed to vote and the rebirth of a business, you would be in your element on a tour of the company. From Tennessee whiskey made according to the original recipe to new creations such as high-rye bourbons, the portfolio is constantly growing, but always based on their great tradition.

Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey – Hand Made Sour Mash won gold at the World Spirits Award.

Emperador Distillers – Filipino premium products

Emperador Distillers (EDI) is the largest spirits company in the Philippines and introduced their first brandy label in 1990. Before that, established manufacturers of gin and rum dominated the country’s spirit market. EDI managed to create a demand for brandy through dynamic marketing and high product quality. These days, this is sold in 40 countries in Asia, North America, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. With Emperador Light, in 2010 EDI reacted to the growing market for alcoholic drinks with low alcohol content, thereby targeting younger consumers.

In 2014 and 2015, EDI took over Whyte and Mackay in Great Britain and entered the market for Scotch whisky, and with the purchase of the brandy and sherry segments of Beam Suntory – Bodegas Fundador – in February 2016, the entire spirits business was strengthened. As a global company they are now able to benefit from a worldwide sales network which is represented by a wide range of brandies and whiskies on the market. In addition, there is also rum and aromatised vodka, gin and tequila under the brand name ‘The BaR’.

EDI has a comprehensive countrywide sales network, which gives them a clear competitive advantage. Over 22 sales offices distribute the products to more than 121,000 sales points – involving around 1,000 employees and more than 500 vehicles. Most of the sales representatives are employed internally, which has contributed to higher motivation and thus to the strong increase in sales.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Rum Zabana Premium White.