Best Dutch Spirit/Liqueur Types
Gin is a clear, light-bodied spirit that owes its taste profile to a variety of spices (primarily juniper) which are added to the basic grain. Most producers usually avoid distilling their base spirit and prefer to buy supplies of neutral alcohol.
The combination of spices that are added to the base differs, and though juniper is always dominant, other botanicals commonly include coriander, nutmeg, anise, cinnamon, ginger, and citrus zest. Depending on the process of production, gin traditionally comes in three styles: the highly-prized London dry, distilled, and compound gin.
VARIATIONS OF Gin
THE BEST Gin Spirits
![New World Navy Dry Gin](/images/products/999df8c57c8a43069a4eb84db9f86f33.png?w=234&h=140)
Beg Gin Boutique Distillery
New World Navy Dry Gin
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2023, 2024
![Gale Force Gin](/images/products/16459e72ddef4a9bad51a32398458300.jpg?w=234&h=140)
Triple Eight Distillery
Gale Force Gin
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2023, 2024
![Tanglin Black Powder Gin](/images/products/bff1efd6c162427a8d0036b9dc2061d7.jpg?w=234&h=140)
Botani
Tanglin Black Powder Gin
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2023, 2024
![O Gin](/images/products/5944c095704d4e8b9e94ca949dec5bee.png?w=234&h=140)
Kangaroo Island Distillery
O Gin
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding 2019, 2023
![Signature Dry Gin](/images/products/c2cce3eb4cba40d988e8bab1acb3a797.jpg?w=234&h=140)
Archie Rose Distilling
Signature Dry Gin
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2023, 2024
Considered to be a predecessor to gin, jenever is a Dutch spirit that was originally distilled from malt wine. Since the drink had a sharp and unusual flavor, it was often infused with various herbs, including juniper – which eventually led to the creation of the name jenever.
Two distinct styles that exist nowadays are old (oude) and young (jonge) jenever. The former is similar to the original jenever and is mainly distilled from malt, with a small proportion of neutral alcohol, while the young style has a higher concentration of a neutral spirit and it's especially suitable as a cocktail ingredient.
VARIATIONS OF Jenever
Advocaat is a slightly thicker, custard-like version of eggnog liqueur whose origin is associated with the Netherlands. It is usually made with a combination of eggs, sugar, and brandy, and it should be thick enough so it could be eaten with a spoon.
Optional ingredients can include vanilla, other types of flavorings or sweeteners, milk or cream, and flavored spirits. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the drink is mainly enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif that is usually served in a small glass, and it is often topped with whipped cream.
Stroopwafel Liqueur is a sweet and creamy liqueur whose flavor should mimic traditional Dutch stroopwafel, a cookie made with a caramel-like cream sandwiched between two thin wafers. The drink is sweet and smooth, with caramel, cinnamon, and nutty notes.
Stroopwafel liqueur has around 15% ABV. It can be enjoyed neat or incorporated into cocktails, hot toddies, or desserts. Because of its character, it is also sometimes added to coffee or tea. Stroopwafel liqueur is produced by Van Meers company in Zwijndrecht.
Schrobbelèr is a herbal liqueur hailing from Tilburg, Netherlands. It was created by Jan Wassing, a local who could not handle traditional liquors and spirits, so he decided to make a drink he could enjoy during the Carnival. The recipe is still a family secret, but it is known that the liqueur is flavored with 43 herbs.
Schrobbelèr is a smooth, light amber liqueur with herbal flavor and aroma. It is intended for sipping and should be enjoyed chilled. Schrobbelèr is traditionally served neat or on the rocks, and it is sometimes paired with coffee. The name stems from the wool industry that was once important for the locals—schrobbelèr was the person who would untangle wool.
Oranjebitter is an orange-flavored liqueur that hails from the Netherlands. It first appeared in the 17th century, but it was not popularized until 1814 and the coronation of William I. The original was made with sugar, but later versions were less sweet and more bitter—hence the name.
Nowadays, its bitter character is toned down with some sweetness. Oranjebitter has a distinctive orange color and orange flavor and aroma, usually with a hint of spice. It is now primarily associated with King’s Day, the annual holiday celebrated on April 27, and any festivities celebrating the Dutch monarchy.
Best Dutch Spirit/Liqueur Producers
Tobago Gold is a premium brand specializing in chocolate rum cream liqueurs, blending the finest Caribbean cocoa, spices, and rum to capture the essence of the Caribbean. The company was founded in 2004 when its creator acquired La Caurita, a 400-acre traditional cocoa estate in Trinidad and Tobago, laying the foundation for crafting a unique liqueur rooted in the region's rich agricultural heritage.
Drawing on ancient cocoa cultivation traditions of the Maya and Inca civilizations, Tobago Gold produces its liqueurs using authentic Caribbean methods. The name "cocoa," meaning "Food for the Gods," highlights its significance and the health benefits associated with its antioxidant-rich content.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d45f8044d0f8418d862854e61bc1c9a8.png?w=160)
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/3247d2436e3949dcb3ddd1bf25afb35b.png?w=160)
The DB & SB Autumn Blind Tasting - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/7b98ea0aace34d31b8a23bf7680cf9f3.png?w=160)
European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023
BEST Tobago Gold Liqueurs
De Kuyper Royal Distillers is a renowned Dutch family-owned company specializing in the production of premium liqueurs and spirits. Founded in 1695 by Petrus De Kuyper, the company began as a manufacturer of barrels and casks for transporting spirits and beer.
By 1752, the family owned a distillery in Schiedam, the epicenter of Dutch gin production. Over the centuries, De Kuyper expanded its operations and product range, establishing partnerships and exporting to markets across Europe, Great Britain, and Canada.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/decc278c19bb49b2bda7200a764b6509.png?w=160)
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2022, 2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/85debd67b164433bbc0cbebe649be3e4.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2020
![2 stars](/images/productawards/9e0fd07e4f9b43e1ab346912e62ac824.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
BEST De Kuyper Liqueurs
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc771c38165b4d72aef95b7739a07a6c.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/fbf82fe394dd484b8819b601877dd27b.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/5f3ceba4c7f642dd8b937f8b348f15db.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Liqueur Gold Trophy
2019
BEST DMC Limoncello Liqueurs
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d816aeb6bd344c7ab5140c3695e9809f.png?w=160)
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Sculte Twentse Spirits
Boomsma Distillery, founded in 1883 by Dirk Boomsma in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, began as a supplier of groceries and distilled beverages to local shops and pubs. Over time, it has evolved into an independent, family-owned distillery, now managed by the fifth generation of the Boomsma family.
The distillery is renowned for its traditional Dutch spirits, including genevers, Beerenburger, and liqueurs, all produced according to age-old recipes. Their portfolio also features international spirits such as Glen Talloch Whisky, Esbjaerg Vodka, and Old Captain Rum.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/905dc101653f467e9b841a2ec3a87391.png?w=160)
European Spirits Challenge - Silver
2024
![2 stars](/images/productawards/7b98ea0aace34d31b8a23bf7680cf9f3.png?w=160)
European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0a1439b78c1d4677af83b68febfd2c67.png?w=160)
World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2021
BEST Boomsma Distillery Spirits
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/9e0fd07e4f9b43e1ab346912e62ac824.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
BEST Lime Bro's Liqueurs
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d45f8044d0f8418d862854e61bc1c9a8.png?w=160)
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST Millstone Spirits
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d45f8044d0f8418d862854e61bc1c9a8.png?w=160)
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST Ron Colón Salvadoreño Spirits
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/713ebec8f3c04d3487c5560b32824250.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold outstanding
2020
BEST W&R Liqueurs
Camastra is a Dutch producer of liqueurs, renowned for its high-quality limoncello. They use only the finest ingredients, including certified organic IGP lemons from Sorrento, which are hand-picked and peeled to capture their rich flavor and aroma.
Apart from these exceptional lemons, all other ingredients are locally sourced from the Netherlands. The alcohol is distilled in small batches, and the water is sourced from the dunes near Haarlem. Camastra prides itself on avoiding artificial additives, relying solely on 100% natural ingredients.
The result is a limoncello with a light yellow color, rich in essential oils, and offering a refreshing and authentic lemon flavor.
Best Dutch Spirits and Liqueurs
Tobago Gold is a premium chocolate rum cream liqueur that masterfully blends the finest Caribbean cocoa, spices, and rum to deliver a smooth and flavorful taste of the Caribbean. The liqueur is crafted using traditional Caribbean cocoa and spice cultivation methods, drawing on knowledge and experience dating back to the Maya and Inca civilizations.
The name "cocoa" translates to "Food for the Gods" and is known for its health benefits due to its rich antioxidant content. Tobago Gold Chocolate Rum Cream is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways: neat, in cocktails, as a dessert ingredient, or to add to cooking and baking.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d45f8044d0f8418d862854e61bc1c9a8.png?w=160)
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/3247d2436e3949dcb3ddd1bf25afb35b.png?w=160)
The DB & SB Autumn Blind Tasting - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/7b98ea0aace34d31b8a23bf7680cf9f3.png?w=160)
European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023
Dutch Cacao Liqueur is a premium chocolate liqueur produced by De Kuyper Royal Distillers, a renowned Dutch company with a rich heritage in crafting high-quality spirits. This liqueur is meticulously created using the finest cocoa beans, resulting in a rich and authentic chocolate flavor.
It boasts a smooth and velvety texture, making it a versatile ingredient for a variety of cocktails and desserts. With an alcohol content of 24% ABV, Dutch Cacao Liqueur balances sweetness and strength, offering a delightful experience for chocolate enthusiasts and cocktail aficionados alike.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/9e0fd07e4f9b43e1ab346912e62ac824.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
![2 stars](/images/productawards/018e26047e7d431f9c0f1a89c8d6d6ae.png?w=160)
London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/fbf82fe394dd484b8819b601877dd27b.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/5f3ceba4c7f642dd8b937f8b348f15db.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Liqueur Gold Trophy
2019
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/9e0fd07e4f9b43e1ab346912e62ac824.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/9e0fd07e4f9b43e1ab346912e62ac824.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/7bdc0be3159644c9b64d4d225a644e9a.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/9e0fd07e4f9b43e1ab346912e62ac824.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8699ffe9fc2f4d4abb2e8fdf4284ee45.png?w=160)
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2019
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d45f8044d0f8418d862854e61bc1c9a8.png?w=160)
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d45f8044d0f8418d862854e61bc1c9a8.png?w=160)
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
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