Oborniki Distillery (Lucas Bols), Zoetermeer, Holland.

Lucas Bols founded the company in 1575, just outside Amsterdam, and it is the oldest distillery in Holland and the oldest surviving brand in the world. He made spirits using the spices and flavourings brought back from the far flung corners of the world by Dutch sailors. Their storage shack (called ‘t Lootsje) was soon too small and a stone building replaced it – it is still to be seen on Rose Canal (Rozengracht) in Amsterdam.

In 1816 the Bols male family line ceased but the company has continued as Lucas Bols. The 1960’s meant the company had to relocate, due to size restrictions from continued growth, and is now in Zoetermeer (which means “Sweet Lake”) - about 10 miles North of Rotterdam/35 miles SSW of Amsterdam. In 2006, following a management buy out from Rémy Cointreau, former board member Huub van Doorne became CEO and brought Bols back to Amsterdam.

Lucas Bols.

Damrak Amsterdam Original