The synthesis of rac. cis‐ and trans‐1,2‐dimethyl‐4‐hydroxy‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐isoquinoline (respectively 8 and 9) is described. The relative configuration of these amino alcohols was determined by a detailed analysis of nmr.‐ and ir.‐spectra. The comparison of the nmr.‐spectra of 8 and 9 with that of gigantine reveals the non identity of these compounds.