THE DUKE – Bartender Edition

By bartenders for bartenders

The lockdown and the associated regulations have significantly affected everyone – especially the gastronomy. THE DUKE Distillery, as an owner-operated company, has also not been spared from the effects. It was and is therefore more important than ever to move even closer together and support local businesses. This is how the idea of THE DUKE Bartender Edition came about. Under the motto “By bartenders for bartenders”, we began working with bartenders from all over Germany at the beginning of March 2021 to develop our own gin – entirely according to their needs.

Die teilnehmenden Barkeeper der The Duke Gin Bardender Edition

It all started with the question of how we, as a medium-sized distillery, could support restaurateurs and bartenders in the exceptional circumstances caused by Covid-19. 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 come out the other end stronger than before. The idea of a collaborative product was quickly born, in which bartenders can incorporate their requirements and experiences from their work and daily customer contact. Combined with the product-specific knowledge of our distillers, the goal was to create a gin that meets the exact needs of bartenders and thus makes their work easier after the reopening of their bars.

Limitierte Gin Edition der THE DUKE Destillerie und Barkeepern aus ganz Deutschland

In a video message, our Brand Ambassador Guy called upon bartenders all over Germany to apply to take part in the project “THE DUKE – Bartender Edition”. We quickly received messages from a wide variety of bars, so that we expanded the originally planned 25 places by three more to 28.

In a first step, questionnaires were sent to all participants to clarify the key facts and general requirements for the future gin. Once basic characteristics such as alcohol content, bottle size and classification of the gin had been agreed, botanicals and specially produced individual distillates were sent out in small bottles. The bartenders used these to mix and experiment with at home. In accompanying video calls with our distillers and the employees responsible for the project, insights and ideas about the individually created gins could be exchanged, which made the actual product development more specific.

Destillate für die The Duke Bartender Edition

Botanicals für die The Duke Bartender Edition

Destillate der The Duke Bartender Edition

From the suggestions and recipes sent in, our distillers then created four different gin distillates, from which the bartenders could in turn choose their personal favourites. In the end, the result was a well rounded, harmonious dry gin in organic quality with 42% ABV, which is ideal for mixing, but also for classic gin & tonics. Bottled, of course, in our classic 0.7l bottles.

Abfüllung der limitierten Gin Edition der The Duke Destillerie mit Barkeepern aus ganz Deutschland

As the final highlight of a wonderful collaborative project, we invited all participating bartenders to our distillery in Aschheim after the lockdown to celebrate the finalisation of the gin with them. In exciting workshops with the distillers Magic and Andi, the bartenders were able to be present at two distillations in the production department, and where able to participate in the bottling of their THE DUKE Bartender Edition. This helped them get a deeper insight into the actual production of their gin. After the day ended with a freshly barbecued meal, the restaurateurs and bartenders did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the evening with fresh drinks – of course mixed by themselves with their brand new Bartender Edition. Both our Bar Trailer, and – at a later hour – our THE DUKE Bar were put through their paces.

The THE DUKE Bartender Edition is now exclusively served by the bartenders in their respective bars. Only a limited number of bottles are available in our online shop and distillery shop.

Our thanks go to all the bartenders who have contributed to this great project! We are happy about all the positive feedback and hope to be able to restart together after this difficult time!