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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.

Radeberger Distillation & Liqueur Factory – Herbal spirits with tradition

In 1877, Wilhelm Richter founded the ‘Goldene Sonne steam distillation and liqueur factory’ and, according to old records, his ‘first class medicinal bitters’ landed in the Royal Saxon Court as a ‘gastric tonic’ in the late 19th century. The royal endorsement encouraged Wilhelm Richter to present his herbal liqueur at the large exhibitions at the turn of the century. Numerous gold medals confirmed this early quality marketing as well as letters of appreciation from many customers. The heirs of the company founder managed to run the small liqueur manufacture as a private company through the chaos of war and the Iron Curtain. Still in family hands, today the lovingly restored main building of Radeberg in the picturesque main street has plenty of historical charm.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Original Radeberger Kräuterlikör (herb liqueur).

Soul Surfer: Deep Dry Gin

Soul Surfer Gin is a premium dry gin that is distilled and bottled in Germany. The powerful alcohol content of 52 per cent by volume guarantees a high degree of purity and leads to a ‘harmonisation and soothing of the alcoholic sharpness’. This leads to a mild taste sensation: classic, yet modern and refined. The aromas of selected botanicals such as lime, rosemary and mint are a fresh counterpart to the aromatic juniper note.

Soul Surfer Gin was already available on the German market in a similar form for a few months in 2017 and was marketed by an acquaintance. Their preference for gin moved Christopher and Franz-Josef Severin to take over the business themselves. From mid-2018 on, Soul Surfer Gin was overhauled with the help of the Brauweiler fine fruit distillery and (re)entry onto the market was made in mid-2019 – with success, as can be seen and tasted.

At the World Spirits Award, Soul Surfer Gin was awarded gold.