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The ultrapremium spirit crafted
in small batches is distilled
three times: twice in
a modern column still
to remove the cogeners
(by-products); a third
time in a traditional
copper potstill over a
coal fire to assimilate
ten essential oils. The
herbs and botanicals used
to create these oils‹almonds,
angelica, cassia bark,
coriander, cubeb berries,
grains of paradise, juniper
berries, lemon, licorice,
and orris‹are from an
old Amsterdam recipe.
Distilled individually
and stored in earthenware
pots, the ingredients
are then blended with
grain spirits to create
an exceedingly smooth
and delicate distillate
with a soft finish.
The award-winning, patented
750 ML clear bottle is
a work of art in itself,
depicting a magnified,
3-D image of a typical
bridge over Amsterdam's
inner city canal. As the
bottle is turned, the
image moves along the
rows of houses lining
both sides of the canal,
with swirling clouds evoking
the famous sky in Vincent
van Gogh's "Starry Night."
The talent and resources of
five European nations
contribute to the creation
of this unique bottle
of gin. It is manufactured
in Germany, etched in
France, silkscreened and
goldleafed in Belgium,
filled in Holland and
sealed with a cork from
Portugal. Distillery:
Restored after World War
II under the supervision
of the Holland Historical
Society, the 125-year-old
Dirkzwager Distillery
maintains the tradition
of handcrafted Dutch distilling
in a business dominated
by high-volume producers.
It includes two 900-gallon
potstills and a total
capacity of 20,000 gallons
of underground vats, where
the distillate undergoes
a six-week resting period
following distillation
and prior to bottling.
Master Master Distiller John
DeLange tastes every batch
of gin to ensure the finest
quality. When he is on
vacation, no gin is produced.
Location: The historic
distillers' district of
Schiedam, Holland, where
gin (created by Dr. Franciscus
Sylvius at the University
of Leyden in 1650) has
been a tradition for over
300 years
Notes: 10,000 cases
available in 2000; Proof:
94 proof; Price: $30/Bottle
Importer: David van
de Velde, founder and
president of Luctor International,
introduced Dutch vodka
to the U.S. in 1990, creating
a new white spirits category.
Luctor also imports Vincent
(Van Gogh) Vodka and Leyden
Dry Gin. U.S. Launch:
Available nationwide since
September 1999 Philosophy:
With the same pursuit
of perfection as the tulip
growers and diamond cutters
of Holland, Luctor International
is committed to producing
the highest quality artisanal
Dutch gin. Internet: www.vangoghgin.com;
email: info@luctor.com
Importer:
Luctor
International
Reno, NV
Call
toll free: 888-539-3361
Fax: 775-853-5545
| From
the
Spirit
Journal,
December
1999
issue:
"Every
now
and
then,
a
libation
comes
along
that
is
so
special,
so
ahead
of
the
pack
that
I
can't
wait
to
share
my
results
with
SJ
readers...let
me
introduce
you
to
the
best
white
spirit
of
1999.
Triple
distilled;
pure
as
rain
water;
the
opening
nosing
is
seductively
fresh
and
intensely
botanical...the
nicest
thing
going
about
this
gin's
bouquet
is
that
the
alcohol
never
for
a
moment
interferes
with
or
overshadows
the
lovely
mix
of
botanicals;...the
taste
sings
with
round,
svelte
flavors
of
coriander,
juniper
and
bark...a
fine,
well-made
gin
by
all
accounts
and
one
that's
sure
to
have
an
impact
at
the
upper
echelon
level
of
the
category...simply
superb." |
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