Yesterday at work we were discussing what we like to drink in the evenings. Of course beer and whiskey was mentioned. No need to say that I like both :).
As beer I like my beloved Grolsch and of course there are some pretty good German and Belgium beers… “Bittburger”, “Duval”, “De Verboden Vrucht” and many more.
And a good single malt whiskey is really something to enjoy. One of my favourites is “The Glenlivet”, but there are many more extremely good ones as the Glenrothes, Highland Park, Jura and others.
Oh something nice to mention… Sanne recently noticed that I always write “The Glenlivet” and for instance “the Glenrothes” (so the word “The” with or without a capital), which she as a teacher of course noticed directly.
But yes, there is a reason for that. The Glenlivet got their official license to make whiskey in 1824 (before that they did it illegally). They were the first distillery to have this official license and because of that they were allowed to add the word “The” to their brand name and they are the only single malt distillery who are allowed to do this. And as the word “The” in the case of The Glenlivet is part of the brand name you write it with a capital and for other single malts not.
But I am getting completely away of what I wanted to write here today… 🙂
Anyway, yesterday during the conversation at the company I suddenly had to think of something I really liked in the past and which I drank on cold winter evenings after the last walk of the days with the dogs. After such a walk in the freezing cold you could use something to get warm and comfortable again…. and that was for me a bit of “Kruidenbitter”.
Now I have no idea how to translate “Kruidenbitter” to English, but I guess it would be something like “herbal liqueur”, which makes it sound a bit as a medicine…
Basically a “Kruidenbitter” is a gin or brandy enriched with all kind of herbs during the process of making it. Depending on the brand a “Kruidenbitter” contains 20% to 35% alcohol.
Many Dutch towns and area’s have their own “Kruidenbitter” with their own special mixture of herbs. A good “Kruidenbitter” should be served very cold. So the better ones you keep in the freezer, where they stay liquid because of the amount of alcohol.
I think “Jägermeister” is one of the best known “Kruidenbitter”, which finds its origin in Germany (“Kruidenbitters” are not unique to The Netherlands, far from that). Personally I don’t like “Jägermeister” very much, its it too strong in its taste.
So yesterday I bought at the local liquor store a jug of “Kruidenbitter” of the brand “Botter Bitter” (which is made in West Friesland). I have to say that I like it. It has a nice smooth taste.
But sadly it cannot compare to my favourite “Kruidenbitter”…. The “Bornse Kruidenbitter” (made in the town of Borne), which has a very special taste because anise was used as one the ingredients. And this “Kruidenbitter” you cannot get over here in this part of the country. Maybe one the next times when I travel to the eastern part of The Netherlands I have to make a detour to Borne….. or get someone so far they bring it along for me 🙂
There are things my father and you have in common. The love for whiskeys and ‘bitters’ for example!
And I like these little pottery cups you are using for bitters. Are these new as well?
🙂
No, I have these cups already some time, but while I was living in Haaksbergen they have been in a box on the attic.
I found out which liquor shop in Borne sells the real “Bornse Kruidenbitter”. I wrote them a mail if it would be possible to sent one or two jugs as a package to me 🙂
Discovered one bad side of the “Botter Bitter”… once opened, you can not lay down the bottle because it will leak then. And in my freezer there in not room for it standing 🙁
Hmmm Kruidenbittter. I am a fan of Kuemmerling.
Is a little milde than Jägermeister. Jummie.
If the shop does not send you a bottle, then give me the address and i will visit them. I can bring you some bottles when we go to the PaganFest :F
Thanks for the info, wanted to find out about a present I got
Did a favour for a Dutch lady and she gave me a bottle of Boomsna kruidenbitterm in a stone bottle after she returned from Holland.
Nice, and a shot helps killl the hangover effect.
But no Irish Whiskey on your links???, the home of it all !!!!
don’t know what your missing
Hi to all.
I live in australia and i was tracing some history on kruidenbitter.
In particular Drankurgels drupke made specifically for t Drankorgel in Eindhoven by a fellow called Aad Louwers
During a visit in Holland around 1992 when this drink was first trialed on the market in Eindhoven I managed to buy a whole bottle which i still have today.
During my search i found out that t Drankorgel went bust and I couldn’t find a reference to “drankorgels drupke”
My question; Is there anybody who can remember any of the names above and can shed a light or refer me to somebody or web site that might have more info.
I realize it is a bit of stab in the dark but it would be very interesting if I can find out what happened and if there are collectors that would be interested in such a historic Bottle.
Wouldn’t know if it i still drinkable but perhaps the maker can help.
Hi Peter,
I am aware of a kruidenbitter called “Vosselaers Drupke”. Could that be the kruidenbitter you are after? I know out of experience that if the bottle hasn’t been opened it stays drinkable for a very long time.
I hope this helps a bit 🙂
Hi Rob,
Sorry for the disgusting delay.
The Vosselaers is not the genever that i was looking for but thanks for the tip on the drinkable issue.
I might still put my bottle on my bucket list to be drunk in one night and if you are close to Gosford let me know and you can share.
Never drunk ISLAY malts? Wow. Lafraug etc
Scapa is from the Scapa flow area and is often slightly cheaper
Dufftown would suit very well as would Glen Morangie
There are over 300(legal ) malts
Suggest a lengthy holiday in Scotland sans the wife