Bobby's Schiedam Jenever Gin
Bobby's Schiedam Jenever is not a gin — it's a jenever, the Dutch malt-wine spirit gin descended from — 38% ABV (76 proof), 750mL, distilled at the Herman Jansen family distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands. Created by brothers Sebastiaan and David van Bokkel from their grandfather "Bobby" Alfons's Indonesian Pinang Raci spice recipe, it blends juniper, cinnamon, cardamom, cubeb pepper, lemongrass, and ginger over a bready malt-wine base. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA, and taste the spirit that started it all.
- ABV: 38% (76 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Jenever — malt-wine-based Dutch spirit (gin's ancestor)
- Botanicals: Juniper, cinnamon, cardamom, cubeb pepper, lemongrass, ginger; no additives, sugars, or extractions
- Origin: Distilled at Herman Jansen, Schiedam, Netherlands (family distillery since 1777)
- Story: Grandfather Jacobus "Bobby" Alfons's Indonesian Pinang Raci spice blend, rediscovered 2012
The Spirit Before Gin, Spiced Like Indonesia
Jacobus "Bobby" Alfons was born in Naku, Ambon, Indonesia, emigrated to the Netherlands in 1951, and infused his jenever with the Pinang Raci spice blend of his homeland. Decades later his grandsons found the recipe and launched Bobby's — first the Dry Gin in 2014, then this jenever in 2016 — distilling it in Schiedam, the self-described distilling capital of the world. The malt-wine base gives it a bready, nutty foundation that neutral-spirit gin never has; the Indonesian botanicals — lemongrass, cubeb pepper, cardamom, ginger — make it unmistakably Bobby's. Browse more gin and genever and the full Bobby's Gin lineup.
Tasting Notes
Nose: maltiness, juniper, candied ginger, lemongrass, roasted almonds. Palate: soft oatmeal, fresh citrus, toasted hazelnut, wheat bread, cardamom, fiery ginger root, cubeb pepper. Finish: medium length, tingling, warming pepper — the official descriptors.
How to Enjoy
The brand's perfect serve is the Jenever Spring; it also drinks well neat or on ice, Dutch-style. Try it in an Old Fashioned built on malt character, or as the base of a Holland House cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between jenever and gin?
Jenever is the older Dutch spirit gin evolved from: it is built on malt wine (distilled grain mash), giving it a bready, whiskey-like base, while modern gin uses neutral spirit. Bobby's Jenever leans into that malt character.
What does Bobby's Jenever taste like?
Malt, juniper, and Indonesian spice — lemongrass, cubeb pepper, cardamom, and ginger over a soft, bready malt base, finishing warm and peppery.
How is Bobby's Jenever different from Bobby's Dry Gin?
The Jenever is malt-wine-based at 38% ABV with a bready, nutty character; the Dry Gin is neutral-grain-based at 42% ABV in classic dry-gin style. Same Indonesian spice DNA, two different spirits.
Gin's ancestor, Indonesia's spice cabinet — get Bobby's Schiedam Jenever delivered from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.