Zuidam Dutch Courage Dry Gin (700ml)

The Zuidam Distillery was started back in 1975 by Fred van Zuidam as a deliberately contained operation with one small copper still. It took more than a decade to forge their present reputation as the finest distillery in the Netherlands. In 1989 Zuidam expanded their warehouse to 600 square meters and one production line. Presently, both sons, Patrick and Gilbert, run the distillery under the watchful eyes of their parents. With four brand new copper stills, over 1000 oak barrels, four production lines and modern tank storage, Zuidam is now a state of the art operation, however, they have held on to one throwback from the past - Windmills. These are used to mill the grains destined for their Genevers and Malt Whisky. It not only preserves this iconic piece of Dutch heritage, but more importantly, the producers believe that the traditional slow grind causes almost no increase in the temperature of the grains and thus helps preserve the wonderful aromas.

"Dutch Courage" is a reference to Genever's past, when Genever found favour across the English Channel; first as a medicine (Samuel Pepys wrote in 1660 of curing a case of "colic" with a dose of "strong water made with juniper") and then as a beverage. British soldiers encountered it as they marauded around northern Europe in the Thirty Years War and found it much to their liking. They brought back a taste for the "Dutch Courage" as they called the 'medicine' (often taking a good slug before battle), and inevitably made their own contribution to the lexicon of spirits: The word 'genever' was corrupted by the English to 'Ginever' and finally abbreviated to 'Gin'.

Other reviews... Wonderful beginning aroma of dried citrus zest/rind; following aeration the bouquet turns steely, spicy and earthy. The palate entry is tart, sublimely orangey and borderline sour; at midpalate the angelica, juniper and cardamom take charge, mingling perfectly with the orange rind. Ends silkily with flashes of orange zest and juniper. First class. 96-100 points - www.wineenthusiast.com

...Appearance: Crystal clear. Aroma: A scent rather like just-watered earth (orris root?) mingles with the more upfront juniper and citrus. Taste: Invigorating, clean and fresh, slightly steely with citrus zestiness, angelica, juniper, cardamom and a hint of peppery spice. Aftertaste: Long, cleansing pine fresh finish with parma violets.Outstanding. 5 stars. - www.diffordsguide.com