Zuidam Rogge (Rye) Genever 35% 1 Litre Bottle

Description

Zuidam Rogge Genever is a rather unusual Genever made from 100% Rye grain as opposed to the normal equal corn / rye / malted barley blend that Zuidam use for their other Genevers. Not only is it unusual because it is made from 100% rye but it is also unusual in the way that it is is made. Essentially Zuidam make a rye whisky that they age for 5 years in barrel prior to addition of the botanical and ageing for another year prior to bottling. Although the spirit is 6 years old, it can only be labelled as an unaged genever.

Zuidam Distillers is a family owned distillery based in the town of Baarle-Nassau in southern Netherlands. They are well known for producing traditional genevers (and gin), Dutch whisky under the Millstone label and a range of liqueurs. The company was founded in 1975 by Fred van Zuidam in 1975 with one copper still. Today the company is run by Fred’s sons Patrick and Gilbert and has expanded to over three thousand square meters and there are four copper stills and over 1000 cask. Whisky production began later in 1998. Until recently all of their grain was milled in seven traditional windmills. Successful growth and an increase in production means this is no longer the case, although the grain milled by windmills is still a large component of their production. This way of milling causes almost no increase in the temperature of the grain and thus helps preserve the wonderful aromas. No artificial fragrances, colours and flavours are used.

After the milling, the mashing begins by adding hot water to a rye mash bill (50% malted and 50% unmalted). This is a small batch process which takes about 8 hours per batch. The resulting Mash is cooled to 20° Celsius and pumped to the fermentation tank. Fermentation takes place in small batches at a very low temperature which gives helps to give Zuidam Genever their fruity flavours. Fermentation takes about 5 days. This is much longer than is customary but is essential to allow for the delicate flavours to form.

The resulting mash is distilled three times in handcrafted copper pot stills producing a clean and fruity distillate (the Korenwijn mask is distilled 4 times). After 5 years barrel ageing the 45% abv rye spirit is combined with the genever botanicals (in the case juniper, aniseed and liquorice for another year ageing prior to bottling when it is reduced in strength to 35%. Zuidam Genever ages relatively quickly as only new or ex-Bourbon or Oloroso sherry casks are used and a warm and dry warehouse speeds up the process. The downside of this is quite a high rate of evaporation; the “Angel’s Share” is as high as 4 or 5% per annum.

This interesting genever is like a young rye whisky with Genever spice hints. Soft and mellow with vanilla and toffee notes from the barrel ageing.