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Together with iconic artists, colourful tulip fields, and engaging cheese, The Netherlands is famend for a specific liquor. Jenever, a centuries-old, juniper-flavored spirit, is a supply of delight for each the Dutch and the Belgians.
Sampling some is at all times a spotlight of my Amsterdam meals excursions, as this malty drink is such an necessary facet of the nation’s tradition and historical past. On this information, I’ll dive into the kinds of jenever, the backstory, the manufacturing course of, and the perfect locations to attempt a glass of this beloved beverage.
The Cultural Significance of Jenever
Jenever has been a vastly vital a part of Dutch and Belgian tradition for the reason that Center Ages and is often loved in social settings. The ritual of ingesting jenever is so ingrained in Dutch traditions that it achieved Intangible Cultural Heritage standing from UNESCO!
In its most genuine kind, jenever is served in a tulip-shaped glass alongside bitterballen, that are meaty, deep-fried snacks.
Protected Standing and Geographical Indication
Jenever was granted a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from the European Union in 2008. This implies it may solely be produced in particular areas related to its origin. On this cave, these areas are choose pockets of The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France.
Schiedam, Amsterdam, Groningen, and Delf are the Dutch areas greatest identified for his or her jenever manufacturing. Over time, jenever has continued to play a central function in sustaining the cultural heritage of those areas and in addition serves as a key commodity for native economies.
The Historical past and Origins of Jenever
Jenever has a captivating historical past and origin story. It was crafted within the Low Nations within the sixteenth century, and on the time, it was used as a medicinal tonic. There’s some debate concerning the precise creator, although some say it was invented by a German scientist referred to as Dr. Sylvius.
At first, it was made by distilling malt wine. Juniper berries had been infused to spice up the well being advantages, as they’re believed to include anti-bacterial and anti inflammatory properties. Moreover, the Dutch spice commerce meant that high quality herbs may very well be added to boost the style.
Though it was initially produced to deal with varied sicknesses, it quickly turned a fascinating drink in its personal proper. Not lengthy after, throughout the Thirty Years’ Warfare, British troopers started sampling jenever, and it’s mentioned that this was the occasion that impressed the creation of English-style gin.
Kinds of Jenever: Oude vs. Jonge
There are two main kinds of jenever. Oude or outdated varieties have a better malt wine proportion and customarily provide a richer taste profile and grainier texture. Jonge or new jenever differs from the normal oude model, with a decrease malt wine content material and a lighter, more energizing style.
In some bars, you’ll discover different jenever kinds, together with korenwijn, an old-school aged spirit, and flavored options.
How Jenever is Made
The manufacturing course of for jenever can differ relying on the particular fashion and model. Generally, it begins with the distillation of malt wine, which comes from wheat, rye, corn, and barley.
This preliminary distillation takes place in column stills, and this normally yields spirits with a excessive alcohol proportion. It’sthen distilled twice in a pot nonetheless, producing lower-alcohol jenever. Through the second distillation, juniper berries and different botanicals are infused with the combination.
Evaluating Jenever to Gin and Whiskey
Jenever is usually put in the identical class as gin, and it additionally has a number of similarities to whiskey. Nonetheless, the three boast distinctive traits. All of those liquors start with a grain mash, however whiskey requires a for much longer ageing course of, and gin makes use of one spirit reasonably than the 2 concerned in jenever manufacturing.
When it comes to taste, each jenever and gin have citrusy, juniper flavors, with the previous having a maltier style. Whiskey, then again, tends to have oaky caramel tones.
The variations between jenever, gin, and whiskey additionally transpire in the way in which these drinks are served and consumed, together with specifics for glassware and accompaniments.
The place to Attempt Jenever: Distilleries and Tasting Rooms
Bols
Photograph credit score: Bols
Bols in Amsterdam is The Netherlands’ most iconic jenever distillery, and their cocktail expertise provides you with an unbeatable introduction to this treasured spirit.
My associates and I had a blast doing the self-guided tour, which ended with a complimentary drink of their ultra-modern mirror bar. I selected the ‘blood purple orange’ cocktail, which mixed candy jenever and cane sugar with zesty lemon and orange.
Bols (€€) – Paulus Potterstraat 12 14 16, 1071 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Nolet
Contemplating Schiedam is the house of jenever, it’s little marvel that the Nolet Distillery gives such intriguing insights into the drink’s historical past and manufacturing. As a result of this distillery is nearly an hour exterior of Amsterdam, a tour right here tends to be a extra low-key affair.
Nolet additionally crafts the enduring Ketel One Vodka, that means you’ll have your choose of cocktails. That mentioned, sipping on their traditional jenever is a should!
Nolet (€€) – Hoofdstraat 14, 3114 GG Schiedam, Netherlands
Filliers
Photograph credit score: Filliers
Belgium additionally has some unbelievable jenever distilleries, together with Filliers within the north of the nation. Jenever, gin, and whiskey are all produced right here, and the tour explored the variations and similarities between the three.
The tasting facet of the expertise was a spotlight, and the barrel-aged jenever right here was among the many greatest I’d ever tried. It had a long-lasting end and splendid vanilla undertones.
Filliers (€€€) – Leernsesteenweg 5, 9800 Deinze, Belgium
Wynand Fockink
Photograph credit score: Wynand Fockink
Wynand Fockink is a revered Amsterdam liquor retailer that runs some wonderful jenever sampling periods. It’s been round for the reason that seventeenth century, and the tasting room is as cozy and conventional as you’d count on from such a historic constructing.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to pattern a handful of jenever varieties, and I loved the jonge model a lot I made a decision to purchase a bottle! Though the flavour was comfortable and impartial, there have been some delicate hints of anise and coriander.
Wynand Fockink (€€) – Pijlsteeg 31, 1012 HH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Proeflokaal A. van Wees
Photograph credit score: Proeflokaal A. van Wees
Proeflokaal A. van Wees is an enchanting former distillery that now operates as a bar and restaurant. I got here throughout this place after I stopped in for some meals a number of years again however just lately revisited to partake in a tasting expertise.
The workforce right here went into nice element about lots of the jenevers they carried, together with their refreshing lemon and berry variations.
Proeflokaal A. van Wees (€€) – Herengracht 319, 1016 AV Amsterdam, Netherlands
De Drie Fleschjes
Photograph credit score: De Drie Fleschjes
De Drie Fleschjes is the proper place to get acquainted with jenever, because the bartenders on this subtle hang-out can discuss you thru the completely different varieties and serving kinds.
It was right here that I attempted kopstootje for the primary time. This concerned following up a malty glass of jenever with a glass of bitter pilsner.
De Drie Fleschjes (€€) – Gravenstraat 18, 1012 NM Amsterdam, Netherlands
How you can Take pleasure in Jenever
- Jenever is greatest loved neat in a tulip-shaped glass that’s stuffed to the brim.
- To drink jenever like a neighborhood, attempt ingesting the primary sip with out selecting up the glass.
- Oude or outdated jenever is normally served as a digestif after dinner, whereas jonge or younger varieties are seen as pre-meal aperitifs.
- Kopstootje, that means ‘little headbutt,’ is a well-liked ingesting approach in The Netherlands, throughout which you chase your jenever with a chilly brew.
- For those who’re interested by making an attempt jenever-based cocktails, attempt a few of these mouthwatering recipes at residence.
Conclusion
No journey to Amsterdam, or wherever in The Netherlands, for that matter, is full with out tasting a glass or two of jenever. It is likely to be an acquired style, however it’s an genuine Dutch one at that!
Sources:
Consuming Europe – Amsterdam Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Amsterdam meals excursions. Consuming Europe. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/amsterdam/
Imbibe Journal – Genever Cocktails Imbibe Journal. (2020, March 4). Genever cocktails: The spirit of the Netherlands. Imbibe. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://imbibemagazine.com/genever-cocktails/
Bols Cocktail Expertise Bols. (n.d.). The cocktail expertise. Bols. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://bols.com/pages/cocktail-experience
Nolet Distillery Nolet Distillery. (n.d.). Nolet Distillery: Crafting premium spirits. Nolet Distillery. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.noletdistillery.com/en/
Filliers Distillery Filliers Distillery. (n.d.). Filliers Distillery: Belgian heritage and craft spirits. Filliers Distillery. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://filliersdistillery.com/en/
Wynand Fockink Wynand Fockink. (n.d.). Wynand Fockink: Conventional Dutch spirits. Wynand Fockink. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://wynand-fockink.nl/
Proeflokaal Van Wees Proeflokaal Van Wees. (n.d.). Proeflokaal Van Wees: A style of Dutch custom. Proeflokaal Van Wees. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://proeflokaalvanwees.nl/en/
De Drie Fleschjes De Drie Fleschjes. (n.d.). De Drie Fleschjes: Amsterdam’s well-known jenever bar. De Drie Fleschjes. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from http://dedriefleschjes.nl/
