A journey through time · since 1786
The EL BART Story
The story begins in 1786 — and hopefully never ends. From a London distillery, across the bars of New York, to its rebirth in Germany. Climb aboard and travel along.
1786EnglandThe Origin
The trail begins with an old recipe from 1786 and leads to the Camberwell Distillery in London — the start of a story that never quite ends.
1905New York · BaltimoreThe Pennant Sets Sail
The first EL BART advertisement appears in New York. Its logo recalls a nautical pennant — to this day the brand's hallmark. Produced by the Wilson Distilling Company of Baltimore.
1916New YorkThe Legacy
Hugo Richard Ensslin — born in Baden-Württemberg — writes “Recipes for Mixed Drinks”, one of the most important cocktail books before Prohibition. Full of recipes that still shape EL BART today.
Through Stormy Times
EL BART survives Prohibition and holds its ground against giants like Fleischmann’s and Seagram’s. Mergers and a move to Kentucky — the brand keeps flying, yet its star fades.
The Rebirth
While researching, Dietmar Hölscher discovers Ensslin’s work — overwhelmed by the purity of the recipes. He builds on it and brings EL BART back to life: a Dry Aviation Gin true to its historic blueprint.
Back on Top
Since its revival, EL BART has been sweeping international awards — Gold in Frankfurt, World Gin Awards in London. Crowned in 2024 with the industry’s highest honour in Hong Kong.
The Peak · 2024
Crowned in Hong Kong
At the CWSA, Dietmar Hölscher was named Gin Distiller of the Year 2024 — the highest recognition in the industry. The streak hasn’t stopped since: Gold and Grand Gold from Frankfurt to London.
Where does the name EL BART come from?
At first, “Bart” might make you think of a beard — that’s what it means in German. But the name runs far deeper, with several meanings.
More than the Spanish article: in the mythology of the Ugarites — a Bronze Age kingdom in what is now Syria — “El” stood for the creator of the earth, a divine force that still echoes through the Western religions today.
In Old High German, something protruding, a peak — the peak of the gin craft. And in aviator’s language, a broad updraft, a thermal: the image of a gin that rises dynamically skyward.
“You can never have enough updraft — neither in your gin nor in your name.”— Dietmar Hölscher
The journey continues. Come and Fly With Me.