Siegfried

Germany

Siegfried is a German gin brand based in Bonn, in the Rhineland region, producing an alcoholic gin and an alcohol-free alternative, both built on a botanical recipe that runs to 18 ingredients. Rheinland Distillers GmbH was founded in 2014 by Gerald Koenen and Raphael Vollmar with 4,000 euros of their own money, the founders setting out to rethink the gin category; the recipe had been tried first as a bathtub gin in April 2013.

The brand takes its name from the world-famous Nibelung Saga, and the choice of linden blossom as its main botanical is directly tied to that mythology: in the saga, Siegfried bathes in dragon's blood beneath a linden tree. The botanical profile includes juniper, citrus, angelica, spirulina, raspberry and hibiscus, and the brand uses no artificial flavourings or colourings.

The alcohol-free range is produced using distillation to extract botanicals, covering gin alternatives and aperitif styles. Siegfried positions the range for those who want or are permitted to drink alcohol. One of its drinks has picked up awards.

Diageo's Distill Ventures has invested in Rheinland Distillers GmbH, making Siegfried the first brand in that portfolio to include both an alcoholic and an alcohol-free product. In 2019 the brand collaborated with Edding on a custom gin bottle. Orders are dispatched on a CO2-neutral basis and a tree is planted for every purchase.

At a Glance