Some recipes survive wars, border changes and a hundred years of shifting taste. Von Oosten is one of them. It was born in the Netherlands, grew up in Hamburg, and ended up in Denmark, where it's still made the same way it always was.
Expert Description
Von Oosten Bitter is a Danish-Dutch herbal bitter bottled at 36%. The story starts with Simon Levy van Oosten, born in the Netherlands in 1799, who in 1841 moved himself and his bitter to Hamburg, changing the Dutch "van" to the German "von" along the way.
The recipe reached Denmark in the late 19th century, imported in casks from Hamburg and bottled by the Copenhagen wholesale firm Emanuel Møller & Co. In 1908, the firm bought the rights to the name and Danish production together with Marinus Møller & Co. When production in Hamburg shut down during the Second World War and never restarted, Denmark became the only place in the world still making the original Von Oosten Bitter.
This edition is a practical gift box with four 2 cl miniatures, so you can get acquainted with the characteristic flavour without committing to a full bottle.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Spiced and warm, with clear cinnamon and clove mingling with a touch of ripe orange peel.
Palate
Bold and full-bodied, led by juniper and spice, with a soft sweetness keeping the bitterness in check.
Finish
Long and spiced, with lingering cinnamon and a faint herbal note that has earned it cult status among its fans.
Specifications
Name: Von Oosten Bitter 4x2 cl
Distillery: Von Oosten
Type: Bitter
ABV: 36%
Size: 4x2 CL
Natural colour: No
EAN no.: 5727514920437
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed at room temperature, traditionally as a morning bitter or to warm up on a cold day
Flavour Profile
Spiced · Cinnamon · Clove · Citrus · Juniper
Did You Know?
Back in 1867, Von Oosten was advertised in the Danish newspaper Næstved Tidende as a remedy for "cholera and stomach trouble" - a claim that wouldn't survive a modern label, but one that shows how long the bitter has held a place in Danish cupboards.
See our full range of Von Oosten