Marcus Ritter is the founder of Kunstwerk Gin, and his story really inspired me. In the second episode of the new season of "The Gin High Tea", I spoke to Marcus about his extraordinary journey and his path to creating this unique gin.

Marcus is a true autodidact who has learned everything about distilling through his passion and has become really good at it. In 2016, his wife gave him the gift of a weekend in Austria at a gin tasting. There he was able to distil gin himself for the first time. This experience awakened a passion in him that has stayed with him ever since. With a great deal of dedication and experimentation, he began to combine various botanicals and eventually developed his own recipe.

What particularly fascinates me about Marcus' story is his determination and creativity. Originally from a carpentry and architecture background, he found a new outlet for his skills in gin distilling. He experimented for years with a small table-top still before taking the plunge and launching his own gin. He invested money and time and didn't let anyone talk him into it. Today, Marcus rents a distillery on a daily basis and distils independently in order to precisely control the quality of his gin. This manual work enables him to ensure that every drop meets his exacting standards. His dedication and care are reflected in every bottle of Kunstwerk Gin.

Kunstwerk Gin impresses with its clear juniper notes, combined with lavender, rosemary, lemon and cardamom. Marcus wanted to create a gin with a special taste that works perfectly both on its own and in tonic. The combination of a few, but carefully selected botanicals gives the gin a unique profile that sets it apart from others. Every sip should be an experience, and he has definitely succeeded.

Inspired by the gin artwork, I created a cocktail for Marcus: the Canvas of Dreams. This cocktail brings out the unique aromas perfectly and is a real taste sensation.

The path to market readiness was full of challenges for Marcus. The biggest hurdle was finding the right materials and producers. But his persistence and tireless efforts paid off. Kunstwerk Gin has won several awards, including silver at the World Gin Awards. It is incredibly motivating to see that his work is being recognized and that his gin can compete with the big names in the industry.

The inspiration for the name and design of the gin comes from a picture painted by Marcus' son. His son's first picture ended up in his parents' picture frame. It inspired him to name the gin "Artwork" and use the picture as the label. This personal touch gives the gin a special depth and makes each bottle unique.

Marcus plans to expand his brand further and create new editions. He wants to enter into unique collaborations with artists and bring out limited editions. This vision of a "liquid gallery" offers both artists and gin lovers a special platform. Each bottle is intended to tell a story and bring the art inside and out to life.

It's stories like this that inspire me time and time again. People like Marcus, who realize their dreams and don't let anything or anyone stop them, are a role model. They live out their passion and show that it's worth sticking to your dreams - despite all the ups and downs.

What is your dream? What do you want to do? Take a leaf out of Marcus' book and go your own way. Being self-employed and living out your dreams is no walk in the park. But every minute and every penny you put into it is worth it.

Listen to the episode now and be enchanted by Marcus' story: