Bols Genever

Bols Genever hails from Amsterdam, where the Bols family began distilling in 1575, making it the world's oldest distilled spirit brand. While the family initially focused on liqueurs, they expanded to genever in 1664. The Bols Genever recipe as we know it today, with its characteristic smooth, malty taste derived from a long-fermented grain mash of rye, corn, and wheat triple distilled in copper pots, was developed in 1820. This classic spirit played a significant role in the early American cocktail scene, featured in one out of every four cocktails in Jerry Thomas's 1862 bartending guide. After disappearing from the U.S. market during Prohibition, Bols Genever was reintroduced in 2008, capitalizing on the resurgent interest in historic spirits. The brand is known for its extensive portfolio of liqueurs and its deep roots in cocktail history, even operating a bartending academy in Amsterdam.

Bols Genever, a foundational spirit with a recipe dating back to 1820, offers a malty, rich profile with subtle juniper, a world away from your typical London Dry. It's made with over 50% malt wine, a blend of corn, rye, and wheat, giving it a distinctive bready character with hints of sweet cherry and spice. This genever truly comes alive in classic cocktails like an Improved Holland Gin Cocktail or a Martinez, where its robust, slightly sweet, and earthy notes can really stand out, offering a complex base that's smoother and fuller than many gins.

Bols Genever greets you with creamy, malty aromas and hints of spice and citrus. On the palate, it's grassy with notes of sourdough, juniper, and barley, leading to a peppery, spiced finish that lingers warmly.