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Beerenkräfte: Gin and chokeberry juice from Styria

Beerenkräfte Gin is a strong, multilayered London Dry Gin from Styria. It is produced in small quantities of 360 bottles per batch with typical ingredients such as juniper, coriander and some other botanicals. It owes its complex aroma to Styrian chokeberries in particular, alongside elderflower, lemon and orange zest. The ingredients are carefully processed and distilled by hand by Master Distiller Wolfgang Thomann. The subsequent resting time in the stainless-steel tank makes the gin particularly harmonious and gives it the final touch.

The Beerenkräfte brand stands for high-quality gin and chokeberry juice from hand-picked berries from the south-eastern Styrian Vulkanland region. The fruity chokeberries grow in Edelsbach on a southern slope. Thanks to this sun-blessed location, the berries are fruitier and tastier, giving the gin its particularly mature fruity character. The result: an enticing gin with a full aroma – whether enjoyed neat or with a neutral tonic water.

At the World Spirits Award, silver was awarded to Beerenkräfte Gin.

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.