FIRST JOURNEYS - EUROPEAN EXPEDITION- PIN 35 OF 40

A ROAD TRIP WHERE EVERY STOP HAS A STORY

Trying to work out a logical route for this little virtual adventure has probably been one of the biggest challenges. My route planner app has been invaluable, helping me navigate my way around Europe from one gin story to the next.


To those who have followed along — thank you! To those who briefly thought I had packed my bags and was actually travelling around Europe on a month-long gin tour — I’m sorry to disappoint! This was very much a virtual journey, created during a time when travel was restricted, but it has given me the chance to explore the fascinating stories behind the bottles sitting in my collection.


So, I’m heading east again and making a detour into Germany before the final sprint home.


Today’s stop is at Destillerie Eicker & Callen in Westphalia, the home of House of Ruhr.



Although House of Ruhr is a UK-based brand, its heart lies firmly in Germany’s Ruhr Valley. The connection came through friendship, with founder Bryn Jones developing the brand after meeting German police colleague Peter Meinken, whose family had links with the historic Eicker & Callen distillery. Together they created a range of gins inspired by the heritage and character of the Ruhr region.

The Ruhr Valley is one of Europe’s most fascinating industrial landscapes. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, coal and steel transformed the region into one of the world’s most important industrial centres. At its peak, hundreds of coal mines operated across the area, shaping not only the landscape but also the identity and communities of the people who lived there.


This industrial heritage also provides the inspiration behind Renton Gin, one of the House of Ruhr expressions. It takes its name from James Ogilvie Renton, a member of founder Bryn Jones’ family history, while the artwork on the bottle features Bryn’s paternal great-grandfather, Thomas Jones, who was a miner. It is a fitting tribute to the working communities whose lives were shaped by mining, both in the Ruhr Valley and in many parts of Britain.


The gin itself is distilled at Eicker & Callen, a historic family-owned distillery in Westphalia with roots dating back to 1749. The recipe combines traditional gin botanicals, including juniper and citrus notes, with a style that reflects German craftsmanship and the personal story behind the brand.




“A gin connecting two industrial heartlands, a lost sailor, a miner and a friendship that crossed borders.”





For today’s cocktail, I wanted something a little nostalgic and an ingredient that linked back to Germany, so I’ve included schnapps and created a retro favourite with a twist.


Renton WooWoo
30ml House of Ruhr Renton Gin
15ml Peach Schnapps
70ml Cranberry Juice
2 dashes Peach Bitters

A fruity, easy-drinking cocktail with a little nod to the past — and the perfect way to continue this journey through Europe, one gin story at a time.




"Show me a bottle and I’ll tell you a story."