De Borgen Old-Style Genever
De Borgen Old-Style Genever (750mL, 40% ABV / 80 proof) is gin's Dutch forefather in its full-bodied original form. Produced and bottled at Hooghoudt — a small family distillery in Groningen in the north of the Netherlands, established 1888 — it blends heady unaged malt spirit with a significant portion of 17-year-old malt wine, refined over multiple distillations with juniper on small alembic pot stills. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Distillery: Hooghoudt, Groningen, Netherlands (est. 1888)
- Style: Old-style (koude/grain-forward) genever — gin's original form
- Blend: Unaged malt spirit + 17-year-old malt wine + juniper distillate
- Rating: 91 points, Wine Enthusiast
Gin's Forefather, Bottled in Groningen
Before gin, there was genever — and old-style genever is the category's heavy, malty original, the kind of spirit that crossed the Channel to become London dry gin. De Borgen's Old Style goes back to the source: Hooghoudt's centuries-old tradition of capturing flavors from herbs, spices, and fruit, experimenting with deep, layered malt spirit for a grainy, profound character. The 17-year-old malt wine adds richness and depth, linking the powerful unaged malt to the pungent juniper distillate. Explore more from De Borgen or browse our gin collection to taste the full arc from Dutch genever to modern London dry.
Tasting Notes
Rich and grainy on the nose, with juniper and warm spice. The palate is full and balanced — reviewers note a gentle almond aroma opening to mild vanilla sweetness, rounding into dusty, earthy coriander and a ginger-spiked finish. It drinks like a bridge between whiskey and gin: malty, layered, and long.
How to Enjoy
Sip it neat at cellar temperature to catch the malt character, or treat it like a split-base whiskey in stirred cocktails — it's excellent in a genever Old Fashioned or a barrel-aged-style Manhattan. Bartenders also lean on old-style genever in shaken sours, where its weight stands up to citrus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is genever?Genever is the Dutch predecessor of gin — a juniper-flavored spirit built on a base of malt wine (moutwijn) rather than neutral spirit. Old-style genever is the heavier, grain-forward original; De Borgen's version blends unaged and 17-year-old malt wine with juniper distillate.
Is genever the same as gin?Related, not identical. Gin's flavor comes almost entirely from botanicals over neutral spirit, while genever carries real malt character from its grain base — think of old-style genever as gin's malty, whiskey-adjacent ancestor.
Who makes De Borgen genever?De Borgen produces and bottles its genevers at Hooghoudt, a family distillery in Groningen in the north of the Netherlands, established in 1888 and known for its centuries-old tradition of herb, spice, and fruit distillation.
Order De Borgen Old-Style Genever online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA, and discover the spirit that came before gin.