1689 Dutch Dry Gin - 70cl

Product Information

So the name, “Dutch Courage,” is attributed to a possibly apocryphal story about the origin of gin in England. Supposedly when the English were fighting alongside the Dutch in the 20 years war, the Dutch took a swig of a spirit before rushing into battle. This spirit made them bold! Made them powerful! Made them courageous. Hence the name “Dutch Courage.” The stuff they were drinking? Genever. The ancestral spirit which led to the development of gin. And ostensibly— Zuidam Dutch Courage. The cultural significance of Dutch gin cannot be overstated. It has been the toast of many a celebration and the companion of quiet reflection. It is served in a traditional tulip-shaped glass, which is filled to the brim to allow the aroma to greet the drinker before the first sip is taken, symbolising generosity and fullness of experience. Meanwhile, oude jenever is often appreciated like whisky where it is served at room temperature in a copita nosing glass.

There is a distinction between oude jenever (old gin) and jonge jenever (young gin). Oude jenever is produced in a much older procedure (before 1900). Jonge jenever was developed during WW II, when the ingredients needed for jenever were in short supply. Instead, molasses and sugar beet were used. The different procedures and ingredients give old jenever a softer and sweeter flavour. It’s more yellow of color and often a higher percentage of alcohol. As a clear grain-based distillate, junge jenever is particularly low in energy with a single shot containing fewer than 100 calories. However, oude jenever will likely be more. In either case, carbs are essentially absent, though.

LaBrie JW, Boyle S, Earle A, Almstedt HC. Heavy episodic drinking Is associated with poorer bone health in adolescent and young adult women. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2018;79(3):391–398. doi:10.15288/jsad.2018.79.391

We’ve already covered some of the health benefits of gin in its own dedicated guide, which are actually the same due to the similar production process. This mostly consists of juniper’s unique properties given that it’s a natural antioxidant.Difference between Malt wine and Grain alcohol: Malt wine is based on a mixture of equal volumes of Corn and Rye and Malted Barley grains and distilled in potstills. Alcohol strength is between 46%-48% abv, and has a very strong malted grain flavor. Grain alcohol is distilled in a column still and therefore has an alcohol strength of 96%. It has a neutral taste. The maltwine is then re-distilled in the “Distilleerderij” (Distillery) in combination with Juniper berries and other botanicals into Genever. Juniper berries, blood orange, lemon peel, dried laurel (bay leaf), cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander. – Maceration: Duijst said: “With this acquisition, we aim to transform Hermit Gin into a global brand rather than just a local Dutch gin.