Wynand Fockink: An authentic Dutch distillery for jenever worth visiting

I love trying out new Dutch liquors, so I finally had to visit Wynand Fockink in Amsterdam.  This authentic Dutch tasting room and distillery dates back to 1679, which makes it the perfect place for an authentic place to try Dutch genever without a tour.

• Why visit Wynand Focknik
• Notes on visiting Wynand Fockink
• History of Wynand Fockink
• What is genever and a proeflokaal
• How to properly drink genever
• More Dutch liquor recommendations

Why visit Wynand Fockink

If you are looking for more in-depth travel advice about Belgium and the Netherlands, I created a guidebook on behalf of Moon Travel about Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges. You can find this book on Amazon!

One of my passions since moving to the Netherlands has been immersing myself in the rich history of Dutch food and drinks.  A great starting place is genever.  This popular Dutch liquor (discussed more below) has a distinct taste and history. Although you can visit more touristic locations, the best place to learn about jenever is within the historic proeflokaals (tasting rooms) where people have drinking these beverages for generations.

One of the most authentic places to try jenever in Amsterdam is at Wynand Fockink, an authentic store and tasting room down an alleyway from Dam Square that dates back to the 1600s.  This tasting room is small and atmospheric, perfect for someone looking to escape the crowds for a unique experience in Amsterdam.  Click for more cozy genever tasting rooms in Amsterdam!

Notes about visiting Wynand Fockink in Amsterdam

Wynand Focknink is located down an alleyway just off Dam Square that was built in the late 1800s to help bring attention to the distillery.   I had some doubts myself, however you’ll be able to notice the old build amidst the new renovations surrounding it.  It’s open daily between 2 pm and 9 pm with last rounds being served at 8:45.

The tasting room is a true representation of genever during the age of the VOC (Dutch East Indies company) with a beautiful wooden interior filled with old casks.  The proeflokaal can be quiet, but often is busier during peak season.

The attendant behind the bar asked me about my preferences in terms of alcohol.  I ended up trying three different rounds at no cost although I will be back to buy a bottle of the Singelburger in the near future.  It is possible to try genever together with draft beers available on tap although I chose to stick to Dutch liquors.

There’s very limited room inside of the bar, in the past, they limited entry. These days, they are less restrictive, but it is small enough that a large group may be turned away without a reservation in advance. It’s free to enter the tasting room and I’d recommend stopping by Wynand Fockink in the afternoon before the crowds come in the evening.

For a more intimate experience, reserve ahead through their website to have a tour of the distillery and a private tasting away from the crowds.  The tour costs 17.50 and is held in the afternoons on the weekend. Book your tickets here. 

History of Wynand Fockink

It’s hard to imagine how unpleasant drinks were in the Netherlands prior to the 1600s… After herbs were imported into the Netherlands, the Dutch invented numerous Dutch liquors using blends of these spices.  

Wynand Fockink ran a distillery and pub where the tasting room sits down.  The actual cafe dates back to 1679.   The business continued for many years successfully, so much so that it was exported all around the world. In 1954, Bols took over this family-run business.  However, this distillery and tasting room have remained distinct from the famous Bols gin for now.

What is jenever and a proeflokaal?

Jenever (sometimes spelled genever) is the precursor to Dutch gin.  It’s made from juniper berries and is somewhere between a whiskey and a vodka in terms of taste, depending on the aging.  (Old genever is closer to a nice whiskey while I think of young genever as closer to vodka.)  

Gin was invented in the United Kingdom, but I find jenever and the many drinks derived from it that you can find throughout the Netherlands delicious. (I love the herbal bitters, which are completely different than traditional genevers.) 

A proeflokaal is simply a tasting room for alcoholic beverages.  Many proeflokaals are breweries although most are distilleries.  It’s determined by the cafe, not by the government, so the word proeflokaal on a sign  doesn’t always mean much.  However, we’ll be focusing on one authentic proeflokaal in Amsterdam that serves up jenever.  Click to read about more genever tasting rooms in Amsterdam!

How to properly drink jenever

You can see above the traditional genever glass that I received to sample my drinks at Wynand Fockink.  The glass is poured to be quite full, so you can imagine that it’s quite easy to spill.  It’s traditional to lean down towards the bar to take the first slurp to prevent spillage.  From there, feel free to pick it up and sip.

I often see people drinking jenever as if it’s a shot and I think of it more of as a sipping beverage similar to whiskey.  Old jenever is generally served at room temperature although some other kinds of jenever will be served cold.  To each their own though. 😉 

Some people drink jenever together as a chaser for a beer although I think that it’s pleasant to enjoy on its own.  Just be warned: it’s typically 40% alcohol, so be mindful of your intake!

Have you visited Wynand Fockink?

• Dutch liquors to try in Amsterdam
• 6 authentic genever tasting rooms in Amsterdam
• The best craft beer to try in Amsterdam
• More secret spots in Amsterdam
• Your perfect Amsterdam itinerary