Genever Tasting
One of our favorite things about traveling is the unexpected, the surprising and delightful place, person or experience you just stumble upon. We had several of those during our trip to Europe in December, some coming during our time in Amsterdam. This was one, when we found an inviting bar in the late afternoon, made friends with a great bartender who was from France, and ended up learning the history of gin in The Netherlands. It was invented there after all, in 1575 and imported to the British Isles later.
It’s called Genever in its birthplace, and has to be made with at least 51% Juniper berries. Some use much more. They also age their Genever, and we tried new, 2 year old and 6 year old versions. To be factual, the 6 year old is not technically Genever any more, as anything
over 4 years is called a Gerijpte Genever. It was delicious to just sip by itself. This impromptu tasting occured at Dante Kitchen and Bar, located at Spuistraat 320 in Amsterdam. They have a good looking restaurant as well as a Michelin chef, so you could spend some time here.
That first Genever in 1575 was invented by Lucas Bols, who would go on to establish a major spirits company. He was a pioneer, and the best way to learn about Lucas, the Bols family and their products is to visit the The 
House of Bols, which is sort of a museum crossed with a cocktail
Some history
bar, located right across from the Van Gogh Museum. This is a fun way to spend an hour or so. The museum piece is self-paced and takes you through the history of the company and Genever, using many interactive and sense filling exhibits so you can smell and taste the experience. A long hall is filled with ingredients they can use to flavor the Genever (and other spirits). You can squeeze the atomizers to get a whiff of them. Then you go through the Ingredient Room, where the most important
The Ingredient Room
botanicals used in the original Genever are infused and concentrated in glass jars. Again you can use atomizers to get a sense of them. Then you wander through the Genever Room, which presents a historical walk through the Bols company.
Your final stop is in the mirror bar, which is just what it sounds like – a bright, mirror walled room which provides a cool atmosphere to linger in. Skilled bartenders are there to make your drink of choice, and that is included in your experience. You’ll actually go through a set of preference choices on computer screens just before you get to the bar, and the computer will determine what cocktail you should try, and print you a drink coupon to that effect. We had a Genever cosmo as well as a Genever and tonic. They were delicious, and this was fun. For a
The Mirror Bar
different experience you can book a cocktail class at the end of the tour, stay a little longer, and learn how to make your favorite cocktail with Bols spirits.
We went on a rainy and cold day, and this is the perfect thing to do on that kind of afternoon. They open at 12:00, promptly. Tickets are reasonably priced. We recommend this if you are in Amsterdam with a little time to fill.
You can learm more about the House of Bols and book an experience at https://bols.com/.
A votre santé!
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