1689 Dutch Dry Gin - 70cl

Product Information

The tall, slender jenever glass needs to be filled up with jenever so much that it has a so-called ‘head’ (de ‘kop’). The ‘head’ can only be drunk by leaning towards the glass, to avoid spilling the precious drink. 8. ‘Dutch courage’ The production of Dutch gin is an art that has been refined over the centuries. The process begins with the fermentation of grains, such as barley, wheat, corn, and rye, which are then distilled into malt wine. This malt wine is then distilled again with the juniper berries and other botanicals, which may include herbs, roots, and fruits unique to the distiller's recipe. Some common additions are anise, caraway, coriander, and citrus peels, which contribute to the complexity of the spirit's flavour. Duijst said: “With this acquisition, we aim to transform Hermit Gin into a global brand rather than just a local Dutch gin. Dutch gin is a spirit made from juniper berries and other botanicals, such as coriander, cardamom, angelica root, cinnamon, ginger, licorice root, lemon peel, and orange peel. These ingredients are steeped in alcohol before being distilled into clear liquid form. The result is a strong-tasting spirit with notes of juniper berries and other spices. Modern distillers have embraced the tradition of Dutch gin while also pushing the boundaries, experimenting with new grain bills, distillation techniques, and unusual botanicals. These innovations have introduced a new wave of jenever that respects the spirit's heritage while appealing to contemporary palates.

But from the old storehouses to the giant windmills that spear the skyline, it’s jenever that made this town and it's this traditional Dutch tipple that is continuing to shape its future. The history of Dutch gin Traditionally, jenever was produced using malt grain in a relatively similar way to whisky, which results in a smooth and aromatic flavours with unsurprisingly malty flavours. The is still practised today and is referred to as oude jenever. If you’ve heard of gin, then it’s likely you’ve heard of Dutch gin. It’s a spirit that’s been around for centuries and has become a favorite in the Netherlands. But what is it? And why should you care about it? Let’s dive into what makes Dutch gin so special and why it’s worth exploring if you’re looking for a new type of gin to try. Made by historic London wine merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd, the six-botanical spirit took two years to develop with Dr David Clutton – a man who holds a PhD in gin (yep, that exists). It was worth the effort.While gin is made from distilled grain spirit, it doesn’t contain gluten peptides and is therefore gluten-free and safe for coeliacs. The verdict: Best gin 2023

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. The duo is determined to ‘preserve the essence of Hermit Gin while introducing modern innovations to attract a new generation of gin enthusiasts’. The ultimate Dutch experience? At Restaurant De Noordmolen you can sip jenever while dining inside the tallest historic windmill in the world. Built in 1803, and used to grind grain for distilleries, the windmill has been converted into a two-floor restaurant with a semi-open kitchen and even a terrace that’s open during the summer months. The restaurant also sells traditional jenever glasses in the style of those once used by the windmill foremans.

Nowadays, jenever is served from the freezer like vodka. However, jonge jenever used to be drunk at room temperature with sugar and a spoon similar to absinthe. The first Dutch gin was sold only in pharmacies. It was herbal medicine. Bathing in water boiled with juniper berries was used to cure skin diseases.