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Today I'm introducing you to a truly cool and special product: In my opinion, one of the best gins you can buy or order and enjoy in Munich's restaurants and bars: The Duke | Munich Dry Gin. I'm almost certain that anyone who enjoys a good gin now and then while out and about is already familiar with The Duke Gin. As a Bavarian, or more specifically, a Munich resident, it's practically a must-try, since that's exactly where the gin is produced, bottled, and distributed.
As you know, I'm quite the party animal and have succumbed to the allure of delicious gin on many a long evening in a chic bar or restaurant. Resisting it is pretty difficult, as this delectable gin is increasingly available in well-stocked bars (e.g., Manu's, Little London, Café Cord, etc.) or in larger department stores (the gourmet sections of Karstadt and Kaufhof) and even in select shops in Munich (e.g., Kochspielhaus/Haidhausen, biobasic, etc.). After enjoying several Duke Gin and Tonics and similar gin-based mixed drinks, I wanted to take a closer look and did some research on the gin, its history, ingredients, and so on.
First off, let me say this: Admittedly, I'm not exactly a gin connoisseur, and I'm quite a ways off from being an expert when it comes to knowledge of production, ingredients, recipes, and more. However, since I tried "The Duke" with friends, it's become a firm favorite and is now one of my go-to drinks whenever it's on the menu. What I'm trying to say is: even if gin hasn't really interested you so far, you should definitely try The Duke Gin. I do know a little bit about alcohol, and I was curious why a traditional English spirit is produced here in Bavaria. In the case of The Duke Gin, it's a simple explanation: gin was a great passion for the "The Duke" distillers back in their student days. So they took the plunge and founded a distillery for gin (and now also vodka) in Munich – their hometown. It wasn't exactly easy, as the Duke team told me, because until then, gin was only known in Germany as an imported product. A closer look, however, quickly reveals that the raw materials for Duke Gin can be sourced predominantly from the region, meaning there's nothing standing in the way of a "Munich production facility." For the team, the obvious solution was to establish a distillery in their home region. In 2008, fueled by passion and the necessary expertise, they launched the first (!) gin produced in Germany, "The Duke | Munich Dry Gin.".
The Duke | Munich Dry Gin: Raw materials, ingredients and production
What makes The Duke Gin so delicious? Because the distillery is certified organic, you're drinking gin that, in addition to the essential ingredients of hops and malt, contains only herbs and spices sourced from purely organic farming. The Duke distillery is a certified organic operation, and only untreated and natural ingredients from organic cultivation go into the gin. The combination of organic and alcohol is therefore possible, as "The Duke" proves. The organic approach here isn't just ideological, but rather reflects the benefits of untreated juniper berries and other ingredients. The qualitative difference in taste between treated and untreated juniper berries is immediately apparent after the first sip of this organic gin, and you'll know exactly what I mean once you've tried a gin made with treated berries. Along with the juniper berries, twelve other herbs come into play, contributing to the excellent character and that certain something that makes The Duke Gin so special. True to the motto "A product is only ever as valuable as the sum of its raw materials," all (!) ingredients used are of purely organic origin. For example, lemon peel adds a fresh note to the bouquet; classics like coriander, cinnamon, and angelica root are also present, and floral notes such as orange blossom and lavender, as well as ginger root and cubeb pepper, along with the two regional components—hops and malt—contribute to the perfect gin. (The malt, incidentally, gives the gin a wonderfully smooth taste.)
To guarantee its premium quality, "The Duke" is produced using a classic English method. This means that the carefully selected herbs and spices are steeped overnight in high-proof alcohol (a process called maceration) and then double-distilled at low temperatures to preserve their aromas (first the rough distillate, then the fine distillate). Before bottling, the gin undergoes filtration, ensuring perfect purity and clarity. After several weeks of aging, the gin is bottled, labeled, and packaged by hand. The exceptional quality and superb taste are undoubtedly also due to the handcrafted production and small batches – quality over quantity.
The Duke: The story behind it
A little more about the story: As mentioned, The Duke – Gin is produced in Munich. Behind "The Duke – Munich Dry Gin" are two Munich distillers who want to shake up the German gin culture with "The Duke." And they've done just that: Right in the heart of Schwabing, the two opened a distillery built specifically for gin production. And that's not all. I was incredibly lucky enough to get a tour of the distillery – and I was thrilled. A bit like a little kid entering the toy aisle for the first time, I stood in front of the gin still, watched the team filling and labeling the empty bottles, and asked all sorts of questions about gin production. Of course, I was also curious about how they came up with the name "The Duke." Did you know? The name refers to Duke Henry the Lion, who commissioned the construction of a bridge when Munich was founded to control the toll revenues from the salt trade and had a bridge near Freising demolished piece by piece. The delicious gin was named in his honor (Duke being the English word for Duke).
Lion's Vodka from Munich & Recipe Ideas
It's definitely worth mentioning that the Schwabing distillery not only produces gin, but also the fine Lion's Vodka, which has been around since 2012. Haven't tried it yet? You should! Here's a brief overview: Just like the gin, Lion's Vodka scores points for its regional character. Lion's Vodka is pure, smooth, and clear – classic hallmarks of a good vodka. Crucially, it's the "step back" – meaning less distillation and filtration – focused entirely on purity. This allows the raw materials – the grain – to retain much of their original character, and I think you can taste it. (If you'd like to know more about the vodka's production, feel free to ask me anytime, as Timo from the Duke team gave me a great overview – but I think that would be going too far.)
Since I was eager to try the vodka so I could share my opinion with you, I used a recipe suggestion from The Duke Company. I poured 5 cl of Lion's Vodka into a highball glass with ice cubes, topped it off with ginger beer, squeezed in a lime wedge (2/8), and added a cucumber slice as a finishing touch. My experience with mixing drinks has been rather limited so far, but this mixed "Moscow Mule" is definitely something special. If you try Lion's Vodka soon, feel free to mix it up yourself and let me know what you think. If you're only a gin drinker, you can also try one of the suggested recipes, such as an "Earl Grey Duke & Tonic." It's super easy and besides tasting great, it also looks really cool: Simply steep an Earl Grey tea bag in 5 cl of The Duke gin for two minutes, then fill with ice cubes and tonic water and decorate with orange zest.
My conclusion: If it's gin, then it's "The Duke"„
In summary, I can wholeheartedly recommend The Duke Gin. As I mentioned, I wasn't a big gin fan or connoisseur myself, due to a lack of experience. Now I'm always happy when I'm looking for a drink at a bar and The Duke | Munich Dry Gin is on the menu. Give it a try, or buy a bottle with your friends and enjoy a pleasant evening by the Isar River or relaxing at home. It's truly delicious and also makes a great gift. If you prefer online shopping, you can also find this tasty gin at [website/store name]. Amazon
I will buy this product again: Yes. Here you get high-quality taste in the form of an original Munich product, at a healthy level, made from natural ingredients – I'd gladly come back again and again!
Tested product: The Duke Gin – Munich Dry Gin
Address: Barer Straße 53, 80799 Munich
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