PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Genever is the Dutch spirit that gin descended from, and unlike London dry gin it’s built on a malt wine base, a distillate of malted grain, so it has a malty, whiskey-like richness, with juniper as a supporting character. Bols is one of the oldest distilleries in the world, with a history dating back to 1575, and its Barrel Aged Genever applies the bourbon tradition to a 19th-century Dutch recipe. Master Distiller Piet Van Leijenhorst, who has stewarded Bols Genevers for more than 25 years, was inspired by American bourbon and “decided that an original 19th century Bols Genever recipe would be perfect for aging on oak.”
The genever is based on the original 1820 Lucas Bols recipe, the flavor profile that would have been used in the authentic 19th-century cocktails, aged for at least 18 months in oak casks from France’s Limousin region. The oak gives it a pale golden color (it contains no added colouring) and a “rich, oaky, sweet flavor.” It’s made in small batches, in limited production, and bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof).
The distillery describes “a rich and rounded malty flavour, with vanilla, wood and apricot tones,” “hints of juniper and oak,” and “a fruity, complex finish.” Reviewers find a nose that is “light and slightly sweet, malty with some wood notes,” and a palate that is “ultra smooth with a pure and fresh mouth feel,” with “loads of pepper and a somewhat tannic quality,” and a “medium-long finish with some spice and slight lanolin creaminess.” A drinker described “licorice, juniper, orange zest, black pepper, then mild oakiness, dashes of caramel, hay, sweet maltiness.” Good Spirits News gave it an A+, calling it “the perfect distillate, aged to perfection,” with “a light golden honey color” and “dark maltiness with some bright wood notes.” Opinions aren’t unanimous, as a more critical Distiller reviewer found “bread and malt on the nose,” a palate “heavy on the oak and cherry, with rye bread taking over,” and juniper “barely noticeable.” That’s the nature of the style: it’s closer to a light whiskey than to a juniper-forward gin, which suits whiskey and cocktail enthusiasts best.
It’s a flexible bottle for the home bar: sip neat or over ice, serve it with a light tonic and juniper berries (one customer’s favorite), or use it in classic aged-genever cocktails such as an Old Fashioned, a Sazerac, or a Martinez. The 1-liter bottle is a convenient bar size.
Bols Barrel Aged Genever is produced by Lucas Bols (Bols distillery, dating to 1575) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, under Master Distiller Piet Van Leijenhorst. It is a malt wine genever made to the original 19th-century Bols recipe, aged at least 18 months in French Limousin oak casks, with no added colouring. Small-batch, limited production. Bottled at 42% ABV / 84 proof, 1000ml.
Good Spirits News — A+:
“Light golden honey color. Nose: Dark maltiness with some bright wood notes... Elegant and perfectly aged. The perfect distillate, aged to perfection.”
Distiller community (a favorable review) — 3.5/5:
“I really like it. I thought it was a nice easy drinker especially on a colder day. There’s some licorice, juniper, orange zest, black pepper then mild oakiness, dashes of caramel, hay, sweet maltiness.”
Distiller community (a more critical review):
“On the nose I get bread and malt. The palate is heavy on the oak and cherry, with rye bread taking over. The juniper is barely noticeable. The finish is a bit smoother than the original, but still not all that memorable.”
Bols (distillery notes):
“Rich and rounded malty flavour, with vanilla, wood and apricot tones. Hints of juniper and oak and a fruity, complex finish.”
Nose
Light golden. Dark malt and bright wood notes, with vanilla and a touch of sweetness.
Palate
Smooth and rounded, with malty richness, vanilla, apricot, orange zest, black pepper, and licorice, with a hint of juniper.
Finish
Medium-long, with spice, mild oak, and creamy caramel.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Barrel Aged Genever (Malt Wine Genever) |
| ABV / Proof | 42% ABV / 84 Proof |
| Recipe | Original 19th-century Lucas Bols recipe |
| Aging | At least 18 months, French Limousin oak casks |
| Colour | Natural; no colouring added |
| Producer | Bols — Amsterdam, the Netherlands (since 1575) |
| Master Distiller | Piet Van Leijenhorst |
| Style / Identity | A malty, oak-aged genever that bridges gin and whiskey |
| Aromas & Flavors | Malt, vanilla, apricot, juniper, orange zest, black pepper, oak, caramel |
| Bottle Size | 1000ml |
Genever Old Fashioned — with sugar, bitters, and an orange peel.
Sazerac or Martinez — for a malty twist on a classic.
Genever and tonic — with a light tonic, a lemon peel, and a few juniper berries.
Neat or over ice.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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