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Spice Island Distilling Co: Gin from the Spice Islands

Centuries ago, many spices were more valuable than gold and reserved just for the social elite in Europe. The Silk Road became inaccessible during the Crusades. Then the Age of Discovery began and soon European ships were navigating the treacherous ocean south of Africa and regaining access to the Spice Islands.

Indonesia is a paradise for distillers, home to around ten percent of the plant types in the world and some of the most exotic spices. Spice Islands Distilling is the first true artisanal distillery, located in Keramas Beach on the tropical island of Bali. They stand out from other manufacturers especially for their commitment to authentic craft spirits in small batches. The centrepiece of the distillery is the 550-litre still, handmade by CARL in Germany. A second distillery has created the capacity for rum, corn whiskey and agave brandies.

The best botanicals for the Indonesian spirits are sourced on the archipelago. East Indies Archipelago Dry Gin contains kecombrang, Andaliman pepper and kemangi (lemon basil) along with traditional juniper, angelica root and coriander. Bali Pink Pomelo Pink Gin has an aroma of freshly cut grapefruit, complemented by ripe Bedugul strawberries from the highlands of Bali. Banda Fine Spiced Negroni Gin is a tribute to the island of Banda, once the only place in the world where nutmeg and mace grew. Both dominate the spice profile in harmony with citrus fruits.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for East Indies Archipelago Dry Gin and East Indies Banda Spice Negroni Gin, and silver for East Indies Bali Pink Pomelo Gin.

Mamont Vodka – The spirit of adventure

The exclusive Mamont Vodka was presented in Austria for the first time at the Vienna Opera Ball in 2016. Its development was not brought about thanks to market research, but rather thanks to two spectacular adventures to the lands of eternal ice. When twelve brave men had to make an emergency landing at the South Pole in 2001, they were only able to escape their icy prison due to their irrepressible will to survive – and because they were able to warm themselves with vodka. Only a year later they attracted more attention on their next adventure. The ice of the Siberian tundra had released a massive mammoth tusk. They started an expedition immediately and, together with scientists, they were able to retrieve an 18,000-year-old mammoth. To pay homage to this symbol of Siberia they decided to produce a vodka that would remind them of the cold and beauty of this country and the magical moments in life.

The unique, curved shape of the vodka bottle represents the mammoth tusk – and the quality standards are unequalled. Mamont Vodka is manufactured in the oldest distillery in Russia, and was founded in 1868 by Konstantin Platonov and Gregoriy Badyn. The plant still stands on the banks of the river Itkul at the foot of the imposing Altai Mountains, and it is the last distillery in Russia that exclusively uses malted grains for alcohol production. Mamont Vodka is made from white winter wheat and is distilled six times. Combined with pure glacier water and filtered through charcoal from native silver birch, it achieves an exceptional silky texture and remarkable clarity. For this it was awarded clear gold at the World Spirits Award.

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.