Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur
Private Distillery with an Apothecary Aesthetic
In a heritage-listed brick building in Berlin’s northern Mitte district, you’ll find the beautifully designed showroom and shop of the Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur (DSM).
Rows upon rows of apothecary bottles, large and small, hold the finest and most unusual spirits, brandies and liqueurs.
One of the most unexpected creations is a spirit distilled from autumn leaves.
More familiar options include a brandy made from German sour cherries.
The selection spans the globe, from Ethiopian Sidamo coffee to Spanish yuzu, Indonesian nutmeg, and Swiss Berner Rose apples.
Before our purchases are packed in elegant boxes and hand-labeled, we are invited to sample and savor the exquisite aromas and flavors. What could be more delightful?
The Apothecary and the Photographer
In 2017 Tim Müller and Konrad Horn launched their vision of crafting spirits in small batches, entirely by hand.
Konrad, a pharmacist with a PhD in natural sciences, brought both his scientific rigor and a deep curiosity for experimenting with nature’s treasures. So the brand’s apothecary-inspired aesthetic is no accident.
Meanwhile, Tim, a business manager and successful commercial photographer, is the creative force behind the distillery’s striking imagery - you can spot his touch in their beautifully curated Instagram feed.
A Pure, Natural Product
Just three years after launching, DSM earned the prestigious Federal Gold Medal for their exceptional craftsmanship - and rightly so.
Their ingredients are of the highest quality, often sourced from organic farms and even Demeter-certified producers.
Artificial flavors and colorings have no place here.
Every bottle is meticulously crafted, filled, and labeled by hand.
Their dedication has created a space we find ourselves returning to whenever we’re in Berlin.
From the showroom, we can peek into the lab in the back, evoking an atmosphere that reminds us of Süskind’s Perfume.
We particularly love that most spirits are available in 50ml “perfume-sized” bottles, making it easier to explore the diverse offerings.
For the upcoming holiday season, we’ve stocked up on three miniature bottles - Sicilian mandarin, Madagascan clove, and Ceylon cinnamon.
With these, the idea of a „schnapps after dinner“ takes on a whole new level of sophistication.
A Scent for the Home
Don’t miss the small corner of the shop dedicated to Dr. Horn Labs.
Our top recommendation? Take home the “Sweet Bergamot” scented candle!
For the Curious …
DSM also offers workshops and courses for anyone eager to dive deeper into the craft of distilling.
Here’s a snippet from their handbook for those who’d like to know more:
„What’s the difference between brandy and spirits?
Brandies and spirits are produced using two distinct methods - mashing and maceration.
Mashing involves crushing sugar-rich raw materials (like certain fruits or vegetables), adding specific yeasts, and fermenting the sugar into alcohol.
Maceration is used for fruits or raw materials low in sugar. These are steeped in neutral alcohol, capturing their essence without fermentation.
Both mashes and macerates are then distilled.
The result of distilling fermented, mashed ingredients is called a Brandy, while distilling macerated ingredients produces a Spirit.”
