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Grenada Distillers: From a sugar factory to a world-class rum distillery

The Grenada sugar factory was founded in 1937 and renamed Grenada Distillers Limited in 2001. The finest spirits on the Caribbean island are manufactured here, from the fermentation of the molasses and distillation, blending and maturing to bottling and sales. The trademark product, Clarke’s Court Rum, was named after a nearby bay in the Woodlands Valley, in the southern part of the island. From 2001 to today, the company has grown considerably. There is currently a choice of 23 spirits for local, regional and international markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, two special products were launched on the market: a disinfectant solution and a hand disinfectant.

The prime goal is the creation of world-class products through a constant extension of the product range: AMAZ-IN Brand of Creams, flavoured rums, exotic spicy rums refined with local spices and fruits, and premium aged rums. The pre-cast Pure White Rum is still the market leader and Grenada’s most popular rum ambassador.

The management of food safety has the highest priority during the growth of the company. Grenada Distillers Limited has been ISO-certified since 2017 – a necessary framework condition for ensuring a safe product in a safe environment.

This World Class Distillery 2026 received Double Gold for Clark’s Court Pure White and Clark’s Court Amaz-In Chocolate Cream Liqueur, Gold for Clark’s Court Special Dark, Clark’s Court Amaz-In Coffee Liqueur and Clark’s Court Black Gold, and Silver for Clark’s Court Campeche.

The Sweet Potato Spirit Company: Spirits from the sweet potato

Everyone knows the sweet potato as a side dish to a juicy steak, but who would think of it as a basis for a high-quality spirit? First, someone has to have the idea, and then they have to somehow raise this rather ‘modest’ root vegetable to a higher level. To give the orange pulp a fiery character, a few ‘tailor-made’ ingredients are needed, of course. This British company in Worcestershire produces spirits with spirit. Each product starts its journey on the farm, where only the best sweet potatoes are harvested by hand. In further processing, the experienced distillation team combines the methods passed down through generations with modern techniques. The wide-ranging product range impresses even the most discerning of gourmets.

For the mild Moonshine (with which everything began), vanilla, peach and apricot peel and a dash of caramel blend well. For the aromatic Spiced Rum, ginger and lemon blossom create the freshness, then cherry and peach round it off. The exhilarating Orange Gin Liqueur combines London Dry with cane sugar and orange zest. The fruity Raspberry Gin Liqueur is juicy with a delicate raspberry aroma. The Lavender Gin Liqueur has a distinctive character of freshly picked lavender. The London Dry Gin is characterised by fresh juniper notes with a touch of coriander. The smooth vodka gets a gentle aroma with vanilla and a hint of lemon. There’s no doubt that the colourful spirits are also fun to mix.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Gin Krishna, and silver for Espresso Rum Liqueur and Honey Moonshine Liqueur.

Diageo – From London to the whole world

Approximately 33,000 employees are employed worldwide at Diageo, the market leader in premium spirits, with Smirnoff (vodka), Johnnie Walker (whiskey), J&B (Scotch whiskey), Baileys (liqueur), Captain Morgan (rum), Cuervo (tequila) and Tanqueray (gin), Guinness beer and branded wines. Production takes place all around the world: from Great Britain and Ireland, Italy, Spain and Africa, to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, India and the Caribbean. The global corporation emerged in 1997 from the merger between Guinness and GrandMet. 180 markets around the world are handled from its London headquarters.

A lot of work and lots of attention to detail go into creating the in-depth product descriptions on Diageo’s website. Information and analysis is provided about issues ranging from detailed descriptions of the production down to the most minute ingredients. Finally, they are aware of the size of their company and also of their responsibilities as a supplier of alcoholic products. The name Diageo was also deliberately chosen – it represents their agenda. Put together from ‘dia’ (the Latin word for ‘day’) and ‘geo’ (the Greek word for ‘world’), it means that every day people are celebrating all over the world with products from their company. These products open up possibilities never dreamed of for special days and nights, marking special life events and even making the smaller things in life feel magical.

Participation in the World Spirits Award was magical: there was double gold for Tanqueray No. 10 (Spirit of the Year 2016), gold for Gordon’s London Dry Gin and Tanqueray London Dry Gin, as well as silver for Tanqueray Rangpur.

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.