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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.

St. Kilian Distillers: Whisky made in Germany following Scottish tradition

Born from the idea of creating the largest whisky distillery in Germany, the owner Andreas Thümmler, the whisky legend David F. Hynes from Dublin and the master distiller Mario Rudolf started converting their plan into reality in 2012. Four years later, their dream was established in Rüdenau near Miltenberg am Main, based on the Scottish model, and within a short time the little village had developed into the centre of German whisky. A willingness to experiment is a top priority. Alongside a wide variety of malts, it also comprises way more than 390 different sizes and types of barrels, where whisky can mature under ideal conditions near the distillery – amid the pristine nature of the Odenwald forest in former NATO bunkers. At St. Kilian, craftsmanship and tradition meet technology and innovation. On Saint Patrick’s Day in 2016, the first distillate for barrel number 1 was created in Scottish washbacks and two 6,000 litre Forsyths copper pot stills from Speyside, helped along with German engineering skills. At the end of 2020, they succeeded in what was no doubt the most successful whisky launch in Germany: the combination of single malt whisky made in Germany with the cult figure Bud Spencer on the label. One year later, two whiskies followed with Spencer’s film partner Terence Hill. In 2021, the first heavy metal edition, ‘Tunes of War’, paid tribute to the German band ‘Grave Digger’, followed by further single malt whiskies and a cooperation with the British band ‘Judas Priest’: single malt whiskies and editions produced with ultra heavily peated barley malt bottled in a 0.7-litre bottle. Since the end of 2022, the core product range comprises two single malt whiskies: ‘CLASSIC – Mild & Fruity’ and ‘PEATED – Rich & Smoky’ made of 100% barley malt from Germany and the Scottish Highlands. Premium liqueurs are also produced in Rüdenau, and range from fruity-fresh and creamy-sweet to gently spicy and smoky-peaty varieties. The liqueurs are bottled in elegant, matte black 500 ml pot still glass bottles.

The World Class Distillery 2025 received Double Gold for St. Kilian Peated Rich & Smoky (Spirit of the Year & Award 2025), Terence Hill The Hero and Celtic Castle 2024, Gold for Bud Spencer The Legend, Judas Priest Invincible Shield, Judas Priest British Steel, Banana Joe Cream Liqueur, St. Kilian Classic Mild & Fruity, Terence Hill Voll auf die Nuss (hazelnut liqueur), Johnny Firpo Homemade Ein Klitze Pistazie (pistachio liqueur), Advocaat Egg Liqueur and Bud Spencer Distilled Dry Gin, and Silver for Signature Edition Fourteen.