Dutch Gin & Distilleries in the Netherlands
On This Page: Dutch Gin and Distillery directory, reviews and tasting notes, distillery tours in the Netherlands, interviews with Dutch distillers, and industry insights with Alexander Janssens - Founder of Gin 1689 in Amsterdam.
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Gin's origins are firmly based in the Netherlands, with the Dutch having created Genever - the malt grain based spirit flavoured with juniper that was the precursor to modern gin. In the 1600s, Genever was often used as a medicinal elixir to treat a wide variety of ailments, and it made its way to Britain with William of Orange before British distillers evolved the spirit to be closer to the gin we know today. Several Dutch distilleries founded in the 17th Century are still producing spirits including gin, such as Nolet Distillery and OBD Distillery in Schiedam.
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Dutch Gin Reviews - A to Z
- Gin 1689 - Info & Review | Garnish: Apple, Lemon or Strawberry
- Gipsy Moth IV Gin - Info & Review | Garnish: Lemon Peel or Orange Peel
- Hedgehog Gin - Info & Review | Garnish: Pink Grapefruit
- Solar Gin - Info & Review | Garnish: Orange Peel and/or Cardamom
- Tranquebar Colonial Gin - Info & Review | Garnish: Orange Peel or Lemon Peel
For more Dutch gins, try Nolet's Silver Dry Gin, Bobby's Schiedam Gin, Rutte Dry Gin, Diplome Dry Gin.
DUTCH GIN FACT!
- The term 'dutch courage' was coined from the hundred years war, where Dutch soldiers drank before battle.
Distilleries & Tours in the Netherlands
Many distilleries in the Netherlands are open to visitors for tours and tastings which make for the ideal experience for gin lovers living in or visiting the Netherlands:
- Bottle Distillery - Eindhoven
- Distilleerderij Horstman Distillery - Losser
- Filliers Distillery - Eindhoven
- Rutte Distillery - Dordrech
Meet the Makers
Get to know some of the Netherland's finest gin creators and distillers in our 'Meet the Maker' interviews. Find out what inspired them and how they created and launched their gin, how it's made, what botanicals are used, what you can experience if you visit their distilleries, how best to serve their gins and what they have planned for the future:
Simon Oberholzer - Gipsy Moth IV Gin
Interview Coming Soon |
Alexander Janssens - Gin 1689
Read the Interview |
The Inside Scoop
We caught up with Alexander Janssens - Founder of Gin 1689 in Amsterdam, to find out what makes Dutch Gin special and how the industry has grown in recent years.
What is the Netherlands's history with spirits and distilling?
Alexander: "The Netherlands history with spirits and distilling goes a long time back. It's not a surprise the Netherlands have still many of the oldest distilleries, e.g. well known names like Bols and De Kuyper that are more then 300 years old. Genever and Gin originated as well from Holland and for example already in 1269 the first major mention of juniper berries drinks appeared in Dutch literature. And it was in 1689 when the Dutch ruler William of Orange became King of England and made gin popular in the UK."
How has the Dutch Gin industry developed in recent years?
Alexander: "In Holland we see the same trend as in the UK but only a couple of years later. Since recently many new craft distilleries started in Holland and consumers are asking more and more for local craft gins."
What makes Dutch Gin different / special?
Alexander: "As genever was original a Dutch drink many Dutch gins are strong on juniper berries and many herbs are used. Additional The Netherlands is a very sea focussed country and coastal gins are very popular where botanicals are used which are available near the coastal areas."
What's next for the gin industry in the Netherlands?
Alexander: "More and more Dutch gins are launching flavoured gin editions. The first Dutch Pink gin launched was the 1689 Queen Mary Pink Gin with strawberries and raspberries added in the distillation process. Since the launch of the first pink gin more then 10 new flavoured gins appeared to give Dutch consumers even more choice."
What is the Netherlands's history with spirits and distilling?
Alexander: "The Netherlands history with spirits and distilling goes a long time back. It's not a surprise the Netherlands have still many of the oldest distilleries, e.g. well known names like Bols and De Kuyper that are more then 300 years old. Genever and Gin originated as well from Holland and for example already in 1269 the first major mention of juniper berries drinks appeared in Dutch literature. And it was in 1689 when the Dutch ruler William of Orange became King of England and made gin popular in the UK."
How has the Dutch Gin industry developed in recent years?
Alexander: "In Holland we see the same trend as in the UK but only a couple of years later. Since recently many new craft distilleries started in Holland and consumers are asking more and more for local craft gins."
What makes Dutch Gin different / special?
Alexander: "As genever was original a Dutch drink many Dutch gins are strong on juniper berries and many herbs are used. Additional The Netherlands is a very sea focussed country and coastal gins are very popular where botanicals are used which are available near the coastal areas."
What's next for the gin industry in the Netherlands?
Alexander: "More and more Dutch gins are launching flavoured gin editions. The first Dutch Pink gin launched was the 1689 Queen Mary Pink Gin with strawberries and raspberries added in the distillation process. Since the launch of the first pink gin more then 10 new flavoured gins appeared to give Dutch consumers even more choice."
