Review

Olifant Gin

Wenneker Distilleries, Badhuisstraat, Roosendaal, Holland.

Wenneker Distilleries.

Originally founded in 1693 by Hendrick Steeman, the company was obtained by Joannes Wenneker 1n 1812, and then by Johannes Cornelis Van der Tuijn in 1903. Today Wenneker Distilleries is run by the fourth generation of the Van der Tuijn family and continues to grow by acquisition. Takeovers have included Dirk Struys & Zoon, Duys, Piersma, Smeets and most recently J.J Melchers Wz. Schiedam (including their Olifant range of spirits – also spelled Oliphant by some!). This Gin is the sibling of the better-known Olifant Vodka.

The Gin is made from a blend of three different distillates: one spicy Gin (juniper berries, roots bark and spices); one floral; and one fresh.

Distilled Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$$$$ - $$$$$. Limited availability in the USA – try A Cork Above.

Botanicals include: absinthe, angelica root, cinchona (Jesuit’s bark), coriander, fennel seed, juniper berries, lavender flowers, liquorice, and violet root.

JJ Melchers Wz. (founded in 1841) exported Gin and other dinks from Holland to varying places around the globe. Spirits allocated for Africa were identified as such, with a picture of an elephant - of particular use as many people still had limited reading skills at that time, not to mention the different languages of the recipients. Not surprisingly, it became known as Elephant Gin (Olifant being Dutch for Elephant).

On the nose are herbal and floral notes. On the palate, this medium bodied Gin has light juniper and citrus notes and subtle floral and herbal under tones. This is a nice Gin for a Gin & Tonic and a Martini – also suitable for a range of mixed drinks. So far the price for this is quite high due to the costs of limited import levels. If imports increase as distribution lines are improved this should drop to a more reasonably priced tipple. We believe this mellow but complex Gin is under rated and look forward to seeing more of it at lower prices.

89 Points, Beverage Testing Institute.

Bronze Medal, International Wine and Spirit Competition, 2011.