The Most Famous Gin Brands from Holland
When discussing gin, most people immediately think of England, the birthplace of London Dry Gin. But the true roots of gin lie in Holland, where the juniper-based spirit jenever first emerged in the 16th century. Dutch distillers not only created the forerunner of modern gin but also continue to produce some of the most respected and historic brands in the world. Holland’s gin and jenever houses combine centuries-old traditions with modern innovation, making them central to the story of this spirit.
Holland as the Birthplace of Gin
The Dutch spirit jenever (sometimes spelled genever) predates gin and is considered its direct ancestor. English soldiers encountered jenever during the Thirty Years’ War and brought the tradition back to England, where it evolved into gin. While gin gained fame in Britain, Dutch distillers retained their reputation for craftsmanship and authenticity.
Today, Holland is home to both traditional jenever and internationally recognized gins. Some brands honor centuries of heritage, while others embrace modern trends with artisanal botanicals and sleek branding.
1. Bols Genever – The Oldest Distilling Brand in the World
Founded: 1575, Amsterdam
Bols is perhaps the most famous Dutch brand connected with gin and jenever. Established in Amsterdam in the 16th century, Lucas Bols Distillery is recognized as one of the world’s oldest distilleries still in operation.
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Signature Product: Bols Genever, which closely resembles the original style of Dutch jenever, made from malt wine and flavored with juniper and botanicals.
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Influence: Bols played a crucial role in the global spread of juniper spirits and was highly influential in the early cocktail culture of the 19th century.
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Modern Appeal: Today, Bols produces both traditional genever and a modern Bols Genever designed for cocktails, bridging history with contemporary mixology.
2. Rutte Distillers – Artisanal Heritage from Dordrecht
Founded: 1872, Dordrecht
Rutte is one of the most respected names in Dutch distilling, known for its artisanal approach and long family history. Still operating from its original building in Dordrecht, Rutte continues to make spirits using natural ingredients and traditional recipes.
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Specialty: Both traditional jenever and innovative gins, always with a focus on botanicals and balance.
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Reputation: Rutte gins are celebrated for their craftsmanship, often described as elegant and complex, appealing to both classic gin lovers and modern cocktail enthusiasts.
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Cultural Legacy: The distillery is considered a “living museum” of Dutch distilling tradition.
3. Nolet Distillery – Home of Ketel One and Nolet’s Gin
Founded: 1691, Schiedam
Nolet is one of the oldest family-run distilleries in Holland and has been in continuous operation for over 330 years. It is most famous globally for Ketel One Vodka, but the distillery also produces highly regarded gins.
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Nolet’s Silver Gin: A modern gin that highlights unusual botanicals such as rose, peach, and raspberry, appealing to contemporary tastes.
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Nolet’s Reserve Gin: An ultra-premium gin designed for collectors and connoisseurs, made in limited quantities with saffron and verbena.
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Heritage: Nolet embodies the Dutch balance between tradition and innovation, maintaining centuries-old distilling practices while pushing the boundaries of modern spirits.
4. Hooghoudt Distillery – A Northern Dutch Classic
Founded: 1888, Groningen
Hooghoudt is a family-owned distillery from Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands, known for its jenever and flavored liqueurs.
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Products: Traditional jonge and oude jenever, as well as flavored spirits that appeal to younger generations.
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Legacy: Over its 130+ years of history, Hooghoudt has helped maintain jenever as part of Dutch cultural identity.
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Innovation: The brand frequently experiments with barrel-aged jenevers and seasonal releases.
5. Bobby’s Schiedam Dry Gin – A Modern Twist on Tradition
Founded: 2014, Schiedam
Bobby’s is a newer Dutch gin brand that pays homage to both Dutch and Indonesian heritage. The recipe was inspired by Jacobus “Bobby” Alfons, who infused jenever with Indonesian spices at home in the 1960s.
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Flavor Profile: Combines classic juniper with exotic botanicals like lemongrass, cloves, and cubeb pepper.
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Design: Its bottle, decorated with a traditional Indonesian ikat pattern, symbolizes the blend of cultures.
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Impact: In just a few years, Bobby’s has become one of the most recognizable Dutch gins internationally, praised for its bold, aromatic style.
6. Damrak Gin – The Spirit of Amsterdam
Founded: Early 2000s, Amsterdam
Produced by the House of Bols, Damrak Gin is positioned as a modern, approachable Dutch gin with a citrus-forward profile.
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Style: A lighter, softer gin designed to appeal to those who prefer a smoother and less juniper-heavy taste.
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Popularity: Often highlighted in bars for gin & tonics due to its refreshing, fruity character.
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Brand Identity: With branding inspired by Amsterdam’s Damrak area, it proudly carries the identity of its home city.
Why Dutch Gin and Jenever Still Matter
Dutch gin and jenever brands stand out for their deep roots in history combined with a willingness to adapt and innovate. Unlike many countries that joined the gin boom only recently, Holland has centuries of distilling expertise.
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Tradition: Brands like Bols, Rutte, and Nolet connect directly to the origins of gin, offering authenticity.
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Innovation: Newer names like Bobby’s and Damrak bring contemporary flair, appealing to a global audience eager for modern, diverse flavor profiles.
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Cultural Heritage: In Holland, drinking jenever or gin isn’t just about taste—it’s tied to identity, rituals, and history.
Conclusion
The Netherlands has given the world both jenever and gin, and its distilleries remain among the most respected and innovative. From the historic halls of Bols and Nolet to the adventurous modern styles of Bobby’s and Damrak, Dutch gin brands showcase a spectrum of tradition, craftsmanship, and creativity.
For anyone passionate about spirits, exploring Dutch gin is like taking a journey through history—one that begins in the cobbled streets of Amsterdam and Schiedam and extends to cocktail bars around the world.
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