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RhochzweiLiquids: Two master brewers from Ulm with gin in their sights

Korbinian Rau and Dominik Russ met in 2013 in the master school in Ulm. They then each went their own way, workwise, but in 2017 they found themselves working together in the same brewery. As a hobby they started to experiment with a small, homemade pot still. The results were sampled by friends and found to be rather drinkable. Their main profession as master brewers enabled the two of them to improve their distillates with creativity and passion, and so they decided to start up their own small company in February 2018.

RhochzweiLiquids Gbr was the beginning of turning their hobby into a side business. The sales figures are still small but are growing healthily – and the first product, Ulmer Ginger Gin, has received posi-tive feedback in the region. The gin stands out amongst the huge range because some of the ingredi-ents they use are ones you would expect to find in a brewery, and this appeals to the whole Ulm bar scene. Their aim is not to grow quickly, but rather to keep the hobby as such and to consistently guar-antee the highest quality with regional ingredients and passion.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Ulmer Ginger Gin and Ulmer Ginger Gin Winter Edition.

Shaken and Stirred: Tradition meets innovation

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, the Cologne-based start-up Devrim 1923 launched a limited edition of its raki – with only 1923 bottles worldwide. The proud history and special taste of Anatolia is in every one of them. Founded by Bedrana and Selman Mani, the company combines Turkish tradition with high-quality spirits. The idea arose from the siblings’ passion for fine food and culture. After their first steps in the restaurant business – a café and a bar in Cologne – they started their own raki. The recipe was developed together with the Wanderer distillery under the direction of Benedikt Brauers, and refined over the next two years. The balanced blend of classic aromas and innovative nuances sets new standards for raki. In addition to grapes and aniseed, other ingredients from the Orient were used in the distillation process, such as figs, apricots, mandarins, roses, blueberries, cherries, pistachios and pomegranates. In accordance with tradition, it has been distilled ten times.

The hand-numbered bottle is a collector’s item for lovers of Turkish culture as well as a symbol of quality and innovation in the raki segment. The elegant Lyra raw bottle from the Austrian company Cristallo has won a German Design Award. A second limited edition was released in January 2025. This further exclusive variant sets new accents. By combining traditional values with modern influences, Devrim 1923 aims to contribute to the diversity of the spirits landscape and present the culture of raki in a new light.

Devrim 1923 Raki won Silver at the World Spirits Award 2025.

Ehrenwert GmbH: One recipe – two families

One recipe – two families. Each family has its own carefully guarded secret recipe, and with the Lücke family this remained in the hands of grandfather Heinz and later his son Dieter for many decades. Long enough, thought sons Thomas and Christian. In any case, it is the ‘Felsenfeuer’ herb liqueur that once made the Lücke Distillery one of the most important in Münsterland. After the war they continued the success story which first began in the 18th century, with this herb liqueur, using the recipe that Heinz Lücke worked out. In the 1950s everyone was talking about it, but in the 1960s the era of the distillery and the herb liqueur ended. But not for good – 60 years later it celebrated its resurrection with the ‘Freudenfeuer’.

Whilst searching for a distillery, Thomas and Christian kept to family tradition, as their grandmother was a Sasse, and the Sasses’ fine distillery in Schöppingen is still well known today. Following a traditional recipe from 1947 the new liqueur is distilled in small batches and is bottled by hand after a ten-day rest period. Ready to enjoy: neat and ice cold like in the time of our grandfathers, or smoother, on ice with lightly pressed orange zest, or as a basis for a long drink with tonic water or ginger ale. To old times and new friends!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freudenfeuer.