Zuidam Korenwijn 5yo Single Barrel

[Matti]

A little while back my local liquor store proprietor (is there a better english word for that?) saw me nosing around the whisky aisle and pointed out a display of spirits from the Dutch distillery Zuidam (they also make Millstone whisky). One of the varieties, the 'Korenwijn', caught my eye immediately. I remembered that this is a kind of proto-whisky (actually a proto-genever, without the juniper-berries used in proper genever. Korenwijn translates as 'grain wine'.), so I bought a bottle (it doesn't take much to convince me to try a new spirit ).

I researched a bit online, and korenwijn apparently is a spirit made from at least 51% malted barley as well as smaller amounts of other grains. I'm not sure what the percentage on Zuidam's is, but on tasting it I can see what the liquorist (?) was talking about: it is uncannily like a triple-distilled whisky. There have been some herbs added at some point (I'm presuming in the mash) and you can taste this (dill is one I'm fairly certain is in there), but it only enhances the base barley-flavour which is really quite good I'm quite certain that a lot of people wouldn't pull this one out of a blind tasting as 'not whisky'

Anyway, if you get a chance to try it, do so. For me it was a revelation (and, I admit it, a source of some national pride) to find this spirit.

(disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Zuidam or my local liquor store (other than as someone who tends to overspend when in it and has had to limit his visits )).

[Mr Tattie Heid]

...my local liquor store proprietor (is there a better english word for that?)....

"Junkie".

[Matti]

...my local liquor store proprietor (is there a better english word for that?)....

"Junkie".

[Mark C]

Hmm, I can get the 1yo. Will need to see if I can track down the 5yo.

I've tried gin from Zuidam and it's good stuff. Also their 5yo rye is pretty tasty.

[bpbleus]

There have been some herbs added at some point (I'm presuming in the mash) and you can taste this (dill is one I'm fairly certain is in there), .

That might come from the rye in the mash bill (provided there is rye in it). A dill/fennel note is typical for rye.

I've been eying their products for a while, but I find it pretty expensive.

In the sense of being a distillate from cereals and aged in wood, korenwijn is a type of whisky. I used to have a bottle for those moments I wanted whisky but the occasion didn't warrant me reaching out for the expensive real deal (standard Glenfiddich mid 80ies - I'm glad I have moved on in life). It wasn't Zuidam, but the only one then commonly available (Bols?). Probably I'd pass now.

[Matti]

There have been some herbs added at some point (I'm presuming in the mash) and you can taste this (dill is one I'm fairly certain is in there), .

That might come from the rye in the mash bill (provided there is rye in it). A dill/fennel note is typical for rye.

I've been eying their products for a while, but I find it pretty expensive.

Oh, that's interesting, I'll have to try a rye whiskey (it was on my list, but near the bottom, bumped it up a bit ). It does say herbs were added on the label, but perhaps the dill note is from the cereal after all then.

They are expensive, I think mostly because it is a fairly craft-oriented distillery in comparison to the large ones (like Bols). They have a 10yo and even a 20yo version, but they are prohibitively expensive

[Maakun]

Zuidam also makes a whisky, which is quite pricy so I've never tried it.
I'm not a huge fan of Dutch distillates, but funny enough I was looking at some Zuidam bottles just last week. I might try and convince a friend to buy a bottle so I can try it

[Matti]

I might try and convince a friend to buy a bottle so I can try it

Ah, yes. I use this technique as well. Or, when all else fails, I give it to them as a birthday gift and then come by again and again and again...

Their whisky brand is 'Millstone', it's apparently fairly decent but haven't tried it for the same reason as you: price.

[OJH]

I might try and convince a friend to buy a bottle so I can try it

Ah, yes. I use this technique as well. Or, when all else fails, I give it to them as a birthday gift and then come by again and again and again...

Their whisky brand is 'Millstone', it's apparently fairly decent but haven't tried it for the same reason as you: price.

the Millstone 8yo french oak is pretty decent, but indeed a bit expensive for what you get.