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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.

BOAR Distillery: Appreciation as a tradition since 1844!

The roots of the small traditional distillery go back to 1844. Making use of the distillery licence dating back to that time, they began to develop a gin in 2014, using everything that their homeland offered: native, authentic ingredients in their purest form. It took over a year to find the perfect recipe. The result was a very good gin, but with a slightly bitter and sharp finish like many others. Whilst searching for a solution, they stumbled on an exciting discovery. Germany used to be a well-known truffle nation. When truffle searching was forbidden in 1935 by the German Reich nature conservation law, the black gold was forgotten about – and it only became an integral part of this gin concept much later. At the end of 2015, a discovery helped the distillers achieve their aim: the truffle removed the bitterness and sharpness from the gin, depending on the method and timing of the addition. The crowning finale had been reached – the harmony of the elements: the BOAR effect.

Mineral-rich deep spring water drenches the soil of the Black Forest and refines the ingredients into their purest form – above and below the ground. Wild-growing, natural botanicals are combined in this composition, refined and accentuated through essences of the rare Black Forest gold, the Black Forest Burgundy truffle. Handmade and distilled in small batches, this gin is an ambassador for the pleasures offered by this unique region in southern Germany.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for BOAR Gin (Spirit of the Year & World Spirits Award), and silver for Berry Herb Liqueur Caliber 1844.

Lambay Irish Whiskey Company: A family alliance in the whiskey world

The Lambay Irish Whiskey Company (LIWC) celebrated its market debut in 2018 as an independent enterprise based in Dublin. It evolved from the cooperation between Camus (Cyril Camus), the worldwide leading cognac producer in family ownership, and the Revelstoke Trust of the Baring family (Alexander Baring). The two gentlemen have a common history and came together to create a unique Irish whiskey. This relationship between Camus and the Baring Revelstoke Trust is inspired and named after the Irish isle of Lambay, which sits off the coast of Dublin and is a private nature reserve which has been in the Baring family since 1904.

Today, the brand is represented in 35 markets worldwide, in duty free shops and online. LIWC manager Jean-David Costerg is confident of future success because the unique brand history of both companies allows them to reach a new generation of whiskey consumers who are looking for exclusive, authentic, handcrafted products, positioned in the premium price category. Lambay Whiskey stands for a special category of Irish whiskey with a unique cognac barrel finish. The portfolio comprises Lambay Small Batch Blend, Lambay Single Malt, Lambay Malt and Lambay Single Cask Strength.

Lambay Single Malt matures on the isle of Lambay. There, the casks are exposed to the influence of the fresh sea air in a warehouse (‘The Sea Cask Room’) to bring a high salt content and maritime notes to the whiskey. After being blended on the mainland, the whiskeys are rounded off with the island’s Trinity Well water before being bottled.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Lambay Malt Irish and Lambay Small Batch Blend.