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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.

Fassbind – The spirit of five generations

Fassbind is the oldest distillery in Switzerland. Gottfried Fassbind I – a descendent of Dutch coopers who had immigrated to Switzerland in the 13th century – founded the ‘Alte Urschwyzer Brennerei’ distillery in the municipality of Oberarth, at the foot of the Rigi mountains in 1846. As long ago as 1856, Napoleon III, emperor of France, honoured the exceptional quality of the fruit distillates with a gold medal. The long tradition, combined with craftsmanship and innovation, is the basis of worldwide recognition.

The fruit brandies are produced by hand from Swiss fruits of the highest quality. Gently distilled, they mature in stainless steel tanks in the historic cellars, until the aroma has developed perfectly. The finest products from the most valuable fruits distilled in small quantities carry the title ‘Les Trouvailles’. The best brandies mature in wooden barrels for the ‘Les Fûts Uniques’ and ‘L’Héritage de Bois’ series. Each barrel is unique and gives the eau de vie its special character. The features such as bottle, cap, label and neck decoration come from the best manufacturers in Switzerland and Europe.

At the World Spirits Award, the Distillery won gold for Schwyzer Honig-Chrüter, Les Fûts Uniques Kirsch Port Cask, Vieille Prune Barrique, L'Héritage de Bois Poire Williams and Les Fûts Uniques Kirsch Umburana Cask. There was silver for Vieille Framboise Barrique, L'Héritage de Bois Prune and Vieille Poire Barrique.