Company:
Zuidam Distillers
Job:
Distiller & Managing Director
Website:
zuidam.eu
How
long have you been working in the whisky industry?
I have been
working in our family distillery since I was 12 years old, so that makes it about
30 years. Though we were not distilling whisky back then.
working in our family distillery since I was 12 years old, so that makes it about
30 years. Though we were not distilling whisky back then.
What
has been your biggest career highlight to date?
has been your biggest career highlight to date?
I have to say
for a small artisanal family distillery we have been blessed with many lovely
highlights. Last year specially was a super year when every product we entered
in any competition was awarded either a Best in Class or Gold medal.
for a small artisanal family distillery we have been blessed with many lovely
highlights. Last year specially was a super year when every product we entered
in any competition was awarded either a Best in Class or Gold medal.
It was super to
win ‘Best European Whisky’ in Dominic Roskrow’s Whisky Wizards competition for
our Millstone Malt Whisky 12 YO Sherry cask expression. But if pressed I
would probably chose: Winning a Gold medal / Best in Class for our Millstone
100 Rye Whisky at the International Spirits Challenge last year.
win ‘Best European Whisky’ in Dominic Roskrow’s Whisky Wizards competition for
our Millstone Malt Whisky 12 YO Sherry cask expression. But if pressed I
would probably chose: Winning a Gold medal / Best in Class for our Millstone
100 Rye Whisky at the International Spirits Challenge last year.
Can you
remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
I cannot remember
what my first dram was, but it probably was a genever and not a whisky.
what my first dram was, but it probably was a genever and not a whisky.
What
does whisky mean to you?
does whisky mean to you?
Distilling is my
life and passion. Distilling is in my blood and my genes. I grew up in a
distillery and my life has always been dedicated to creating the best products
I can only so to improve them next year.
life and passion. Distilling is in my blood and my genes. I grew up in a
distillery and my life has always been dedicated to creating the best products
I can only so to improve them next year.
Where
would you like to see yourself in five years time?
would you like to see yourself in five years time?
Same place I am
now only making even better products.
now only making even better products.
What
was your last dram?
was your last dram?
Suntory Hibiki
21 Year Old, one of the best whiskies in the world. I know everybody always says they drank their own
products last, but I try to taste as many products as I can, that have been
made by other great distillers. So I can learn from them and perfect my own
skills.
21 Year Old, one of the best whiskies in the world. I know everybody always says they drank their own
products last, but I try to taste as many products as I can, that have been
made by other great distillers. So I can learn from them and perfect my own
skills.
Do you
have a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
have a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
My Millstone
malt whisky 12 Year Old sherry cask combined with old Gouda cheese on
dark rye bread. The sweetness of the sherry casks works perfectly well with the
saltiness of the cheese and the rye bread.
malt whisky 12 Year Old sherry cask combined with old Gouda cheese on
dark rye bread. The sweetness of the sherry casks works perfectly well with the
saltiness of the cheese and the rye bread.
What’s
your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
Whenever, as
long as it’s with friends!
long as it’s with friends!
What do
you think is going to be the next big thing on the whisky horizon?
you think is going to be the next big thing on the whisky horizon?
Whisky distilled
from multiple grains where the master distiller choses the grains to create a
harmony perfected with the right yeast and the perfect casks.
from multiple grains where the master distiller choses the grains to create a
harmony perfected with the right yeast and the perfect casks.
What’s
the one dram you couldn’t live without?
the one dram you couldn’t live without?
The next one I
am going to create… I love working on new and exciting recipes. The whole
process is fascinating from the selection of the grain, the gentle
fermentation, the slow distillation to choosing the right casks for this part
particular spirit.
am going to create… I love working on new and exciting recipes. The whole
process is fascinating from the selection of the grain, the gentle
fermentation, the slow distillation to choosing the right casks for this part
particular spirit.
Many thanks to Patrick van Zuidam. Who will be the next
Whisky Insider? Click back soon to find out!
Whisky Insider? Click back soon to find out!
The Whisky Wire 
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