In addition to tasting bokbiers in Amsterdam, I spent the last week of October visiting genever distilleries in Holland and Belgium, and of course sampling their wares. Many flavours stood out from this tour, including a series of barrel tastings at Belgium's renowned Filliers distillery, but it was a pair of fruit genevers that really caught my attention.
I don't normally drink fruit genevers, so it was more than a bit of a surprise when I found myself going back for more of the lemon genever from the Stokerij Van Damme in Balegem, Belgium. A century-old distillery on a working farm, Van Damme makes a pair of very fine clear genevers, plus lemon and cherry versions flavoured with real fruit. Rather than being sweet and sugary, like many if not most fruit genevers, this duo are full of the true flavour of the fruit, with the lemon peel really standing out in the Citroenjenever. If traditional genevers are the lambics of the spirit world, then Van Damme is the Cantillon of genevers.
Unfortunately, Van Damme genevers are only available in Belgium, and in very small quantities at that. The best thing to do is call the distillery and arrange a time to come by and taste for yourself. Van Damme is located just off the E-40 highway at 2 Issegm in Balegem; phone: 09/362.50.25; fax: 09/362.30.00.
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