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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.

Clint Wilfred & Sons – Good taste for rapidly expanding markets

Clint Wilfred & Sons Ltd brings a carefully selected portfolio of drinks to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. The young company targets fast-moving products in the HORECA – Hotel/Restaurant/Café and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering market segment. It is run by Clint Wilfred, whose family has been in the spirit production and distribution business for over four decades.

One main focus of business activities lies in the United Arab Emirates. To offer new products on this rapidly growing market is a great challenge, as the demand for premium and niche products is constantly increasing and customers’ wishes are very diverse. The range, therefore, also includes non-alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks, still and sparkling water, ready-to-drink teas, energy sport drinks and other New Age drinks. There is also a strong focus on a wide selection of packaging sizes and formats.

One special product in the spirits product category is Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky, a premium blend with a high malt content from the Scottish Speyside region and with some lowland malt for added depth and character.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Count Cristo Blended Scotch Whisky.

United Spirits Limited – A market leader in India

Whisky, brandy, rum, gin and vodka are the flagship products of USL, the largest spirits company in the world. Its history dates back to the 19th century and the country’s British-influenced history. In addition to its 100% subsidiaries Whyte & Mackay and Bouvet Ladubay, brands such as McDowell’s, Bagpiper, Dalmore, Jura, Black Dog, Signature, Antiquity, Royal Challenge, DSP Black, Director Special, Old Tavern, Haywards, No.1 Brandy, Honey Bee, McDowell VSOP Brandy, No.1 Celebration Rum, Old Cask Rum, Pinky Vodka, Romanov Vodka, White Mischief Vodka, Vladivar Vodka and Four Seasons are also part of the comprehensive portfolio. More than a million cases from 22 of the approximately 140 brands in total are sold each year.

Over 165 awards in international competitions emphasise the high quality of the products: Mondial, International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), International Spirits Challenge (ISC), World Beverage Competition (WBC), Monde Selections, Mundusvini, International Taste & Quality Institute (ITQI), Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI), The Scotch Masters, Vodka Masters England, etc.

USL is a true innovator, as in the case of the first ‘pre-mixed gin’. It was also a pioneer of spirits sold in cardboard cartons in India and produced the first Single Malt in Asia to be based on the Scottish tradition and the first ‘diet versions’ of whisky and vodka in India. The company’s products are exported to 37 countries across the world, and in India itself, distilleries and sales offices are distributed across the country, encompassing a team of over 7,500 people. A well-equipped Technical Centre was established in 1989 where scientists from different fields work on quality assurance and innovation – chemists, microbiologists, biotechnicians and nutritional experts. Top quality standards for the numerous production sites are also developed here.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for the White Mischief Ultra Pure Vodka.

Liedschreiber Erdelbranddestillerie: A vocational passion

Andreas and Anna-Maria Liedschreiber both come from a farming background and have been running the farm with cattle, grassland, forest, alpine pastures and a distillery since 2003. The family has five daughters and one son. Andreas, a trained carpenter and master farmer, has been distilling using traditional methods in the farm’s own distillery since 1985. He has been a taster for sensory tests at the Weihenstephan University of Applied Sciences since 2000 and completed his training as a fine brandy sommelier in 2010. Anna-Maria, a master of home economics, specialises in liqueurs made from fruits and flowers and is also a fine brandy sommelier.

The distillery is located in the charming Alpine foothills near Lake Tegernsee. The Schafstatthof farm is not just a place of production, but an experience for all the senses. Every bottle tells a story – from carefully selected ingredients to masterful distillation. The high-quality specialities are matured to perfection in old earthenware barrels and are harmonised with their own mountain spring water. Visitors can learn more about the high-quality process from the fruit to the fine distillate and interesting facts about modern distillation technology on a public distillation tour (registration from ten people). Afterwards, there are tastings from the wide range of products, plus regional cheeses and fresh bread. For larger events (up to 80 people), the comfortably furnished ‘Destillenzi’ and a terrace with a view of the Alpine landscape are available.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, Gold was awarded to Schlehe-Brand (blackthorn brandy), Speierling-Brand (service tree brandy) and Herzbeere-Brand (guelder rose brandy), and Silver to Wildkirsche-Brand (wild cherry brandy).