Zuidam 5 Year Old Zeer Oude Genever 50cl

I’m new to Jenever but I like this. It’s a strange combination of tastes like a mixture of gin and whiskey but with a sweetness more like rum or bourbon. Needs no ice, good to sip straight.

For readers of this and my fellow reviewers. This is not Gin. This is Jenever. So while very similar it is not the same. On top if you don't like the "whiskey" taste you should not buy Jenever that was riping in oak caskets as this is what gives it its color and part of the flavor. This brand of dutch gin (how jenever is also called) is actually very good and this particular one is hand checked which barrels and it is written on the label. For the people who did not like this I would recommend the same brand, but then try the "jonge jenever" instead which is much closer to Gin and by tradition this drink is cheaper, but thst means nothing. The quality is very very good and this drink is very smooth. I would recommend people who like tasting a different drink to try this one as this one is my favourite and to otherwise try one of the other less aged variations

Tastes like a whisky to me. Didn't like this at all. Passed it round friends and everyone thought it smelt and tasted like a whisky. Very very disappointed - I like gin not whisky and if I wanted whisky I'd have ordered whisky

Smooth and warm

Tastes like Whisky and I hate Whisky

I tried it in London sitting in an outdoor pub people watchin while smoking a Romeo & Juliet Churchill Cigar and it went very well, made the experience worth while

11th September 2014

I wanted to give this Genever a try as this aged veriety is much closer to whisky and completely different from the young Genevers. The distillery's approach is also interesting. It is independently owned and uses traditional methods, the ingredients are ground using traditional wind mills, aging happens in American oak casks, and no coloring is added. The result is a very smooth Genever, the taste develops in distinct stages first a mix of caramel and vanilla then almond the finish reminds me of green apples.

I bought a bottle of this for my father, who knows Genever from the olden days, and he really enjoyed it.
This is *totally* different from the more common and more expensive 'young' style Genevers like Ketel 1 and Bols. Taste-wise it has a lot in common with whisky: very richly flavored, with a very thick palate. Great value for money, and well worth a try.

My first Genever and this is simply delightful. The smooth blend of juniper flavours with hints of rye are very moreish, and a great alternative to a single malt. Will certainly try more after this.

excellent drink delivered on time. top maks all round