THE DUKE – BARTENDER EDITION | THE DUKE Distillery

By bartenders for bartenders

The lockdown and the associated regulations have hit everyone particularly hard - especially the catering industry. The THE DUKE distillery, as an owner-managed company, has not been spared from the effects. It was and is therefore important to move closer together and support local companies even more. That’s the idea THE DUKE Bartender Edition developed. Under the motto “From bartenders for bartenders” we started working with bartenders from all over Germany to develop our own gin at the beginning of March 2021 – tailored to their needs.

It all started with the question of how we, as a medium-sized distillery, can support restaurateurs and bartenders in the exceptional situation caused by Corona. The aim was to use the time in which the bars had to remain closed due to the pandemic-related guidelines in a sensible way so that they could start again stronger afterwards. The idea of a joint product was quickly born into which bartenders could incorporate their requirements and experiences from their work and daily customer contact. Combined with the product-specific knowledge of our distillers, the aim was to create a gin that exactly meets the needs of bartenders and thus makes their work easier after their bars reopen.

This is what our Brand Ambassador Guy has in one Video message Bartenders all over Germany are called upon to apply to take part in the “THE DUKE – Bartender Edition” project. We quickly received news from various bars, so we expanded the originally planned 25 places by three more to 28.

In a first step, questionnaires were sent to all participants, which clarified the key facts and general requirements for the future gin. After basic characteristics such as alcohol content, bottle size and classification of the gin were agreed, botanicals and specially made individual distillates were sent in small bottles that the bartenders could use to mix and experiment in the comfort of their own home. In accompanying video calls with our distillers and the employees responsible for the project, insights and ideas about the individually created gins were exchanged, which fleshed out the actual product development.

Our distillers then made four different gin distillates from the suggestions and recipes submitted, from which the bartenders could choose their personal favorite. The result is a round, harmonious dry gin in organic quality with 42% vol, which is ideal for mixing, but also for classic gin & tonics. Bottled, of course, in our characteristic 0.7l bottles.

THE DUKE Bartender Edition is now being served exclusively by restaurateurs in their respective bars. Only a limited number of pieces are in ours online shop and distillery shop available.

Our thanks go to all the bartenders who participated in this great project! We are happy about so much positive feedback and hope to be able to get started together again after this difficult time!