Bols moves distillation back to Amsterdam

Dutch liqueurs group Lucas Bols is celebrating the 350th anniversary of Bols Genever by opening a new distillery in Amsterdam.

Bols master distiller Piet van Leijenhorst (centre) will now lead production at the company’s new distillery in Amsterdam

While all of the company’s genever and liqueurs were previously distilled in Zoetermeer, it will now move distillation back to Amsterdam for the first time in 45 years.

Based near tourist Dam Square, the Lucas Bols distillery will remain under the supervision of master distiller Piet van Leijenhorst, who has been at the company for 28 years.

Bols’ original distillery, which moved in 1969, was based in Amsterdam’s Rozengracht, where the company first began production in 1575.

The distillery, which includes a 100 litre, 200 litre and 500 litre copper pot still, will make maltwine, a multi-grain distillate, for Bols Genever.

“We are excited to re-open a craft distillery in the heart of Amsterdam where Lucas Bols originated,” said Lucas Bols CEO Huub van Doorne.

“Lucas Bols and its genevers are rich with history and we are proud to bring this revered product back to its roots and continue to craft distill the heart of our Bols Genever, maltwine, and liqueurs.

“With this distillery, the craftsmanship of distilling will be safeguarded for the city of Amsterdam for many more years to come.”

Bols will continue to blend, age and bottle its products in Zoetermeer.