Sample 3 cl Zuidam Dutch Courage Dry Gin 44,5%

Nine botanicals, every one distilled on its own, fourteen runs through the copper, and only at the very end are they brought together. Zuidam makes it difficult on purpose. Dutch Courage is what comes out of that routine, and here you get 3 cl of it.

The expert's description

Sample 3 cl Zuidam Dutch Courage Dry Gin 44.5% is a Dutch Dry Gin distilled with nine botanicals, each one distilled separately, and bottled at 44.5%.

Zuidam Distillers sits in Baarle-Nassau in the southern Netherlands and is run by the Zuidam family. The house has never taken the easy road, and the gin production is the clearest example: instead of throwing every botanical into the same still, each one is distilled on its own in small copper pot stills. That adds up to 14 distillations, and only afterwards are the distillates blended into the finished gin.

The ingredients are gathered from far afield. Juniper and iris root come from Italy, coriander from Morocco, sweet oranges and fresh lemons from Spain, liquorice root from India and cardamom and vanilla beans from Madagascar. Angelica root joins them. The method means every botanical gets exactly the treatment it needs, and none of them is boiled to pieces for the sake of the others.

The result is a gin with layered aroma and a full, dry body. At 44.5% it carries a Martini without disappearing into the vermouth. Dutch Courage has taken gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2012, among other awards. This 3 cl bottling is there so you can taste the style before choosing a full bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Juniper steps forward at once, dry and resinous, closely followed by orange peel and lemon zest. Behind them sit cardamom and a soft note of vanilla, while the iris root lends an almost floral, powdery edge.

Palate

Full and plainly dry. Citrus opens, juniper takes over and holds the middle, and liquorice root lays in a round sweetness without making it sweet. Cardamom arrives late and spiced, and vanilla smooths the edges at the close.

Finish

Long for a gin. Spice and juniper stay behind, and underneath them lies a dry, faintly floral tone from the iris root that carries on well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Sample 3 cl Zuidam Dutch Courage Dry Gin 44.5%
Distillery: Zuidam Distillers
Region/Country: Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands
Type: Dry Gin
ABV: 44.5%
Size: 3 CL
Botanicals: Juniper and iris root from Italy, coriander from Morocco, orange and lemon from Spain, liquorice root from India, cardamom and vanilla from Madagascar plus angelica root
Distillation method: Every botanical distilled separately in copper pot stills, 14 distillations in total
Edition: Dutch Courage
Serving suggestion: In a dry Martini or with a neutral Tonic Water and lemon zest

Flavour profile

Juniper-led · Citrus · Spiced · Vanilla · Full-bodied

Did you know?

Zuidam makes far more than gin. Under the same roof the family also produces genever, rum, vodka and whisky, which makes the distillery one of the most wide-ranging in the Netherlands today.

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Frequently asked questions about Sample 3 cl Zuidam Dutch Courage Dry Gin 44.5%

What does distilling every botanical separately achieve?

It lets each ingredient be treated on its own terms. A delicate lemon peel cannot take the same time in the still as a hard liquorice root, and running them apart means Zuidam never has to compromise. The 14 distillates are blended only at the end, which is why the aroma reads as layered.

Why is it called Dutch Courage?

The phrase describes the nerve you drink your way into, and it has long been tied to Dutch genever. Zuidam took the name with a wink, since genever is one of the house's other specialities and gin is historically its descendant.

Is 44.5% too strong for a Gin and Tonic?

No, rather the opposite. The higher strength means the gin can still be tasted through tonic water and ice, where a weaker bottle would vanish. Use a normal measure and cut back on the tonic rather than the gin.

How do you build a Martini with Dutch Courage?

Stir it cold with plenty of ice and a small measure of dry vermouth. The gin has the body for a dry ratio, and the cardamom and vanilla stand out more clearly once the drink is ice cold. Garnish with a lemon twist expressed over the surface.

Which tonic brings out the nine botanicals?

A completely neutral tonic with low sweetness. With nine botanicals in the bottle there is plenty of aroma already, and a flavoured tonic will settle over the iris root's floral tone and hide it. Garnish with lemon rather than cucumber.

Does 3 cl stretch to a Martini?

Yes, a classic dry Martini is typically built on exactly 3 cl of gin plus a little vermouth. It is also the measure used at a tasting, where you want the individual botanicals to show without dilution. Browse the full selection of Whisky Samples.