Founded in 2015 in a small wine cellar in the heart of Munich's Glockenbachviertel, the Illusionist Distillery was born from a love of experimentation and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. Inspired by Max and Tim's fascination for the culinary arts and the magic of mixology, they set out with the goal of creating a gin, that the world hat yet to experience - a deep blue gin characterized by a distinct fruity and floral body, topped off with a distinguished twist. When combined with tonic, the otherwise royal blue colour undergoes a natural reaction, to become a gentle pink concoction. And with that, The Illusionist Dry Gin was born. Initially, only to be found in select bars, the Illusionist has become a hidden gem among bartenders and connoisseurs – now it delivers magical gin experiences to a global audience, every day.
As the first colour-changing gin on the market, The Illusionist Dry Gin was an instant success and has since formed the foundation of our commitment to quality and innovation.
After a few years, it was time to expand our portfolio to additional unique, premium products that invigorate the senses and challenge the status quo of the spirits industry.
In 2022, we launched our all organic The Sentinel Scented Rum. Its distillate originates from Paraguay’s oldest organic sugar cane mill and matured in-house together with PX-Sherry, French and American Oak casks. Our innovative “Acoustic Ageing” maturation method utilizes ultrasound, heat and oxygen to pronounce the toasty notes of the wood and age the rum to a clean, dark-amber finish akin to a 12 year old rum in a matter of days. In the nose you will sense cocoa, butter toffee, dried fruit and dates. On the palate, it embodies a soft texture of signature caramel, vanilla, peach and lychee. Beyond its groundbreaking maturation method, the Sentinel is a beacon of sustainability. By disassembling casks into smaller reusable segments, we not only minimize waste but also significantly reduce the quantity of wood required. Embrace the future of rum with the Sentinel – a true novelty in 100% organic quality, of age-old craftsmanship and forward-thinking innovation.
Recognizing the growing interest in alcohol-free options, we crafted The Illusionist Masquerade, our alcohol-free spirit with the signature colour change from blue to pink. The Illusionist Masquerade opens up the world of alcohol-free mixology, bringing a light, refreshing profile with notes of lemongrass, acacia blossom, juniper, and ginger – the perfect foundation for a no- or low-alc cocktails.
Our latest venture takes us into uncharted territory: a partnership with FC Bayern Munich to create the Illusionist Gin FC Bayern München Edition. This edition boasts a colour transformation from blackberry-black to Bayern red, with hero botanicals of blackberry, lime, juniper and red clover - bold flavours for a bold gin.
At The Illusionist Distillery, we believe in pushing boundaries. With each product, we aim to bring magic to life, crafting spirits that transcend traditional tastes. Our journey, rooted in passion, creativity, and a touch of magic, is far from over. We are excited to continue evolving and bringing our bold visions to life, sharing our creations worldwide. Join us on this journey and experience the unexpected with The Illusionist Distillery.
