After a break of almost two years, I have resumed the GinPodcast project, and the first gin in this new series is Bene Gin. I have known Ginny (Tanja Schmittner), also known as "Ginny and the Bottles", for several years. As a gin sommelier and gin fluencer who has been exposed to so many types of gin through her own tastings, she was one of the first people to test my gin and give me valuable feedback. Now that she has created her own gin, it was clear to me that I wanted to learn more about her process and feature her in my podcast.

We arranged to meet, and so Ginny and her Bene Gin became the first episode of the second season. This season is limited to the audio podcast only for now. The video podcasts will come back, but for now I'm all about hearing and sharing more stories. The audio format allows me to work faster and more comfortably, which helps me to release new episodes more regularly.

I am delighted with Bene Gin and especially with Tanja's approach and perseverance. It's not easy to take a project from zero to one hundred, especially when you're on your own. Tanja has proven that it is possible and she is living her dream. Her passion and courage to try something new are truly inspiring. In our gin community, cohesion is an important value. Ginny helped me back then when I was developing my gin, and now I'm happy to be able to give her the same support back. That's the beauty of this community - we help each other realize our dreams and don't let doubts or obstacles stop us.

Bene Gin was born from Tanja's deep-rooted love of gin and a chance discovery during the Corona pandemic. Her journey began with cozy conversations with her father at the house bar and eventually led her to the creation of an award-winning gin. Tanja originally comes from the hospitality industry and once managed a hotel before focusing on her family. Over the years, she realized that her professional future no longer lay in the traditional working hours of the hotel industry. Instead, a coincidence and her consultancy work for a hotel group in the DACH region led her back to gin. When the coronavirus pandemic deprived her of the opportunity to hold tastings, Tanja decided to create her own gin. "I didn't want to sit around idly, so I thought, why not make my own gin?" Inspired by a Benedictine recipe and sharing the same name as her son Benedikt, she began combining different botanicals. The blend of juniper, citrus fruits and a subtle hint of pear gives Bene Gin its unique character.

The path to her own gin brand was full of challenges for Tanja. "Everything was complicated because I didn't know anything about anything," she admits. From choosing the bottle to designing the label and creating the perfect flavor profile - every step was a new learning curve. But her determination paid off. "I always knew I was going to see this through," she says. This determination was rewarded when Bene Gin won its first gold medal. "It was an incredible confirmation of my work," Tanja recalls.

Tanja's philosophy is clear: "I wanted to make a gin that is uncomplicated and tastes good with any tonic." For her, gin is a luxury drink that doesn't require complicated rules or special glasses. "It should simply be fun to drink Bene Gin," she says. Her motto "Back to the roots with a little twist" is reflected in every sip.

Tanja plans to expand her brand further and create new gins. "I have lots of ideas for new gins that have real USPs," she reveals. Despite her success, she remains humble and is delighted with the support of her friends, family and the gin community. "The gin community is incredibly supportive and helpful," she says.

The story of Bene Gin is an inspiring journey from the first encounter with gin to the creation of an award-winning distillate. With her dedication, creativity and determination, Tanja Schmittner has created a gin that not only captures the essence of classic gin, but also enchants the senses. Bene Gin is more than just a drink - it is a story, an experience and proof that passion and hard work can lead to great success.

Listen to the first episode of the second season of "The Gin High Tea" now
and immerse yourself in the world of Bene Gin