Gin Manufactory - Leo Blum

Brandies have a long tradition in the Volcanic Eifel. This time, however, we are not talking about the fire of the volcanoes, but about high-proof quality brandies. The best known are probably the Eifel fruit brandies! These are produced by hand and with a great deal of dedication in our region.

#GeroRegional would like to introduce an exotic product from the ranks of local distillers this time. Under the quality label "Blum No. 1", a passionate hobby has developed into a down-to-earth business in Niederbettingen. Here, high-proof spirits are refined with local "botanicals" - we are talking about gin.
This exquisite and versatile classic spirit has experienced a remarkable renaissance in recent years and enjoys unbroken popularity today. The creative spirit behind the Niederbettingen project is Leo Blum, who describes himself as a "gin whisperer" and rightly so. At the age of 76, the retired farmer has already achieved a great deal in his life. In 1965, he took over his parents' farm and rebuilt it outside the village. At the age of 19, loans had to be serviced regularly and the economic success of the farm had to be managed. Leo Blum loved the challenges rather than the limits of his work. In addition to his daily work, political commitment was always important to him. He was able to put this into practice for many years as Chairman of the Daun District Farmers' Association and President of the Rhineland-Nassau Farmers' and Winegrowers' Association.
So it would have been surprising for him to simply "retire". According to Leo Blum, there were three reasons for devoting himself to the production of gin. Firstly, the choice of a meaningful task, secondly, his own preference for the drink and "another goal with gin was to extend my life ... and I think I can do that," says Blum. With a slight smile, he cites the British royal family, whose members often live to a ripe old age, as evidence for his last argument.

The hobby has now developed into a real task with professional ambitions. The principles for the project were clearly defined: he wanted and still wants to produce his gin regionally and sustainably. The path from the idea to the finished product was to take three full years. An abbreviated apprenticeship as a distiller with good friends and extensive research into the product and topic led the extensive experimentation phase to success. Leo Blum himself is "thrilled" with his gin. The purity and unique character of his gin are very important to him. He relies on regional raw materials and sustainable cycles in production.

The difference between gin and classic fruit brandy is relatively simple to explain. The starting product for gin is neutral alcohol and not the fruit mash. The alcohol is mixed with so-called "botanicals" for two weeks, which are herbs, spices or fruits from which the alcohol extracts the aromas. Experts refer to this process as maceration. The flavored alcohol is then distilled, which is why gin is also referred to as a double distillation.
The ingredients for Blum No. 1 are sourced from the region wherever possible, but definitely from Germany. The juniper berries are undoubtedly the most important ingredient in gin, as they give it its name and characteristic aroma. The name is derived from the French word "genévrier" and/or the Dutch "jenever" or "genever" for juniper. The British have made the abbreviation "gin" out of it and so it can also be simplified to a juniper schnapps.
Leo Blum likes his gin "pure & clean", as he says himself, and so he first produced a gin based purely on juniper. He has since added three other flavors with blackcurrant, raspberry elderflower and sloe. He raves about the different flavor nuances that can be achieved with the various botanicals. Juniper gives the gin a light pine aroma, rowanberry gives the gin a citrusy note and raspberries provide a fruity, rounded taste.

The lavender often used by many distillers is less to Leo Blum's taste. He once again emphasizes the regionality of his botanicals. The juniper is harvested on his own land and, as it is a protected species, he requires a permit from the Koblenz Structure and Approval Directorate every year. The fruit is sourced locally, with only certain raw materials coming from further afield.

Blum Gin No. 1 is therefore largely a thoroughly regional product and sells well in the Eifel region and beyond. Special editions are sometimes produced for companies and serve as gifts for good customers or staff.
To ensure that demand remains high, Leo Blum adheres to strict quality criteria and regularly puts himself and his products to the test. His gin has received awards from the German Agricultural Society and the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture. He has also received several gold awards from the international "China Wine Spirits Awards" since 2019.

"It's difficult to buy a pig in a poke," he says and lets his customers taste the classic spirit directly. In addition to the four types of gin, eight fruit brandies and five liqueurs enrich the Blum distillery's product diversity and the tastings last a full three hours. In the end, the outstanding quality and sustainability of the products is what impresses.
Leo Blum answers the question about the future of his "hobby" straightforwardly. "We are a wonderful region, where the people who live and work here have a certain satisfaction within them. There are wonderful people living here who get on well with each other. It's nice to have products that have their origins in the region and are also in demand here. I think Blum Gin No. 1 will continue to have its place in our region for years and decades to come." It is clear to him that he will not be able to achieve this in his intended 100 years of life, and so his son and grandson are infected with the same passion for the distilling craft - and with success!

Anyone who would like to try the fine spirits for themselves is welcome to contact the gin whisperer directly or visit the tourist information offices in Gerolstein, Hillesheim or Stadtkyll.

Gin Manufaktur - Leo Blum
Bergfelder Hof 1
54576 Hillesheim - Niederbettingen
Tel: 06593 367 / Fax: 06593 9534 / Mobile: 0171 7695 810
Website: www.blum-gin.de
E-Mail:info@blum-gin.de