Yesterday, Mike, Mr. Bob and myself traveled by train from Cologne to Amsterdam in the Netherlands where we will be staying a week. We were joined by Uncle Mike who flew in from Chicago, and today, Chris, my stepson, arrived from Houston!

Bols is the oldest distillery in the world which has been brewing liqueurs in Amsterdam since 1575. Their first flavours were Cumin, Cardamom and Orange!

Fast forward about 100 years, and it was Lucas Bols, grandson of the Founder, who began to ship the family’s liqueurs all over the world. Not only that, but he was also a major shareholder of the Dutch East India trading company which gave him the privilege of first choice of newly arrived exotic herbs and spices. This helped him create over 300 liqueur and spirit recipes which turned the family business into a world-famous brand.

Lucas Bols must also be credited with leveraging the family’s experience in the process of distillation by producing genevers, or Dutch gin, made from long fermented Rye, Wheat and Corn. In 1820, Bols master distillers introduced a revolutionary new recipe based on malt spirit, neutral grain alcohol and botanicals which proved to be perfect for a new phenomenon in America, the cocktail!

The story goes that the expression “Dutch Courage” came to be after English soldiers fighting in the Anglo-Dutch wars (1652 to 1674) noted the bravery-inducing effects of genever on Dutch soldiers. The English set about making their own version, Gin, which would become popular in England thanks to King William of Orange who was also head of state of the Netherlands!

From left: Mr. Bob and Chris at the “House of Bols” exhibition and taste experience!