The Glass Distillery
Two friends.
One copper still.
The soul of Bavaria.
Writing Bavarian gin history since 2008. By hand, with conviction, in the heart of Munich.
How it all began
It was autumn 2007. Two friends, a few glasses of gin and tonic, and an idea that would change everything: Max and Daniel wanted a German gin carrying the soul of Bavaria. Distilled in the copper still Carl, bottled by hand, labelled with a stencil.
And the name? THE DUKE. A homage to Henry the Lion, the founder of Munich. A duke as patron, a city as origin, an ambition as programme.
Our story
An idea changes everything.
THE DUKE begins in a backyard distillery in the heart of Munich. With passion, copper still Carl, and the ambition to write Bavarian gin history.
Pioneer of German gin.
THE DUKE launches Germany's first certified organic gin. What began as an experiment becomes the benchmark of an entire category.
The Glass Distillery.
Moving into the historic brick halls of a former potato distillery in Aschheim. Carl gets reinforcements. The Glass Distillery is born.
Enjoyment needs no alcohol.
Entgeistert becomes the first non-alcoholic spirit from the house of THE DUKE: genuinely distilled, no chemistry, full of character. The same year, the THE DUKE Bar opens right inside the distillery.
First place. The aperitivo triumph.
La Duchessa takes first place among the best Bavarian aperitivos. Bavaria has its aperitivo.
What we stand for
By hand. No compromise.
Distilled in copper stills, bottled and labelled by hand. Every bottle passes through our hands; none leaves the distillery unchecked.
Organic before it was a trend.
Purely organic botanicals, certified from day one (DE-ÖKO-007). Hop blossoms and malt give every Munich Dry Gin its Bavarian signature.
Bavaria at heart.
Named after Henry the Lion, made with Munich stubbornness: we refuse to choose between tradition and ambition. We combine both.
"We wanted a gin that carries the soul of Bavaria."
Max & Daniel, founders
Awarded, not aloof
Five international juries. One verdict: craftsmanship you can taste.
- Gold World Gin Awards
- Double Gold San Francisco World Spirits
- Superior Gin Masters Competition
- 1st Place Best Bavarian Aperitivo 2024
- Gold Lion's Vodka 2012
What people who know us say
★★★★★„Nicht nur der Gin ist ein Erlebnis, auch die Gin-Tasting-Führung! Mit Witz, Charme und viel Wissen. Wir kommen wieder!"
Maria K. · Google Review
★★★★★„Sensationeller Workshop! Andi hat uns wundervoll in die Welt des Gins eingeweiht und mit seiner motivierten Art jeden begeistert."
Dominik K.
★★★★★„Toller Laden mit sehr nettem Personal und ausgezeichneten Spirituosen! Absolute Empfehlung!"
Thomas R.
Experience the distillery.
A tour with tasting, a distilling course or a drink at the bar: some stories you have to taste.