Dutch Whisky
Everything about single malt from home soil
Dutch Whisky
The Netherlands is known for jenever, beer and old grain jenever distilleries, not for whisky. Yet serious whisky has been made in our country since 1996, and the Dutch whisky sector is growing fast. As of 2026, the Netherlands counts over thirty distilleries producing whisky, ranging from professional single malt producers to enthusiastic hobby distillers who took it a step further. Whisky experts now rank the quality on par with Scottish single malts.
On this page you'll read what Dutch whisky is, which distilleries exist, how it's made and what sets it apart from Scotch or Irish whisky. We'll also explain why BUS Whisky holds a distinct place in this landscape.
What is Dutch whisky?
Dutch whisky is whisky that's fully distilled, matured and bottled in the Netherlands. To officially bear the name "whisky," European regulations apply: the distillate must mature for at least three years in oak casks of no more than 700 litres, and must not fall below 40% alcohol at bottling. Within those rules, every Dutch distillery has room for its own approach. Some producers opt for classic Scottish styles with imported malt and Scottish copper pot stills. Others experiment with local barley, unusual cask combinations or sustainable production processes. The result is a sector with enormous stylistic variety, despite its relatively young history.
Within Dutch whisky you'll find three main types: single malt is made from one hundred percent malted barley, at one and the same distillery. This is the most common form in the Netherlands. Rye whisky is made from rye and is rare, with Millstone as the best-known producer. Blended or grain whisky involves mixed forms and is less common in the Netherlands.
A brief history of Dutch whisky
The modern history of Dutch whisky begins in 1996, when Zuidam Distillers in Baarle-Nassau distils the first experimental batches of whisky. The first commercial Dutch single malt reaches the market in 2006 under the name Millstone. Almost simultaneously, Us Heit in Bolsward, Friesland, distils its own single malt, released in 2005 as Frysk Hynder.
A second wave follows after 2010. Distilleries such as Kalkwijck (Eastmoor), De Drentsche Schans (Den Hool) and Sculte (Twentse whisky) release their first Dutch whiskies. From 2015 onwards, a third generation emerges, including BUS Whisky in Loosbroek. As of 2026, Dutch whisky has grown from a niche category into a serious alternative to Scotch and Irish single malts. International judging panels consistently award Dutch whiskies with medals, and the sector as a whole increasingly exports abroad, particularly to Germany, the United Kingdom and Asia.
The most important producers
Which Dutch whisky distilleries are there?
The Dutch whisky sector counts around thirty producers. The most well-known and largest by production volume:
Zuidam Distillers (Millstone) in Baarle-Nassau, North Brabant. Active as a distillery since 1975, with whisky since 1996. Best-known brand: Millstone. The flagship of the Dutch whisky industry in terms of scale and international recognition.
Us Heit Distillery (Frysk Hynder) in Bolsward, Friesland. Started as a beer brewery. On the market since 2005 with Frysk Hynder single malt whisky.
BUS Whisky in Loosbroek, North Brabant. Active since 2016, on the market since late 2019. The first B Corp-certified whisky distillery in the Netherlands and currently the second-largest whisky producer in the Netherlands by volume.
Kalkwijck Distillers (Eastmoor) in Overijssel. Known for growing its own grain on its own land around the distillery, in small batches.
De Drentsche Schans (Den Hool) in Drenthe, Sculte Distillery in Oostmarsum (Twentse whisky), IJsvogel Whisky in Limburg and Van Kampen Destillateurs in Zeeland (Zeeuwse whisky) are also among the better-known names.
In addition, there are dozens of smaller distilleries, often originating from beer brewers or jenever and liqueur producers who have taken up whisky as a side activity.
Dutch whisky distinguishes itself from Scotch, Irish or American whisky in four ways.
What makes Dutch whisky unique?
- A young sector, with room for experimentation. Where Scotland is bound by centuries-old traditions, Dutch distillers have the freedom to innovate. You can see this in unusual cask combinations (from Oloroso to Russian Imperial Stout), in choices for local ingredients and in sustainable production processes.
- A different climate, a different maturation. The Netherlands has a maritime climate with larger temperature fluctuations than Scotland. As a result, whisky matures differently: on average faster and with a somewhat bolder flavour profile. A five-year-old Dutch whisky can sometimes match an eight-year-old Scotch in terms of complexity.
- Local ingredients. More and more Dutch distilleries use Dutch barley. Some producers take this even further: the barley is grown on their own land, right next to the distillery. This is called single estate whisky.
- Sustainability and transparency. Some Dutch producers deliberately choose B Corp certification, organic farming, renewable energy and circular processes. In Scotland this is still an exception, here it's gradually becoming a trend.
How is Dutch whisky made?
The basic process is the same as for Scotch single malt. The barley is first malted: moistened, allowed to germinate, and then dried. Next comes the mash: ground malt is mixed with warm water, dissolving the sugars. During fermentation, yeast converts these sugars into alcohol.
Then follows distillation in copper pot stills, usually in two runs, where only the heart of the distillate (the "heart cut") is collected. After that, the distillate matures for at least three years in oak casks: ex-bourbon, sherry, port, wine or special finishes. Finally, the whisky is bottled at the desired strength, and with good producers without added colouring (E150) and without chill filtration.
The major differences between producers lie in the details: the type of barley, the source of the water, the shape and size of the stills, the choice of casks, the maturation time, and how the whisky is or isn't filtered at bottling.
How do you taste Dutch whisky?
The stylistic variety within Dutch whisky is great, but there are a few flavour notes that recur regularly. Due to the Dutch climate, many Dutch whiskies are fruity and soft: think pear, apple or apricot. The commonly used (first fill) bourbon casks give caramel, vanilla and honey. Rye or special cask finishes sometimes deliver a light spice or herbal note. And since most Dutch maltsters don't work with peat, Dutch whisky is generally less smoky than much Scotch whisky.
A few practical tips for tasting: pour a small amount (two to three centilitres) into a tulip-shaped glass and let the whisky breathe for a few minutes. A few drops of water help open up the aromas. Take small sips and let the whisky roll over your tongue before swallowing.
Where can you buy Dutch whisky?
Dutch whisky is available through the producer's own webshop or liquor store, through specialised whisky shops in the Netherlands, and increasingly also through regular liquor stores and hospitality venues. BUS Whisky bottles can be ordered directly from our online liquor store or picked up at our distillery in Loosbroek. A nice option to combine with a tour or a visit to the restaurant at the distillery. But BUS single malt and single cask are also available at many locations of Uw Topslijter, Gall & Gall, Mitra and independent liquor stores.
The whiskies of the Low Countries under one roof
The Dutch Whisky Event | 28 June 2026
A sign that Dutch whisky has come of age: in 2026, BUS Whisky organises the Dutch Whisky Event for the first time. A two-day event on 27 and 28 June 2026 where whisky distillers from both the Netherlands and Belgium come together to actively promote the category of "whisky from the Low Countries."
The programme consists of two parts. On Saturday evening, 27 June, the Dutch Distillers Dinner takes place: a five-course dinner for whisky producers and press, with a talk show between courses hosted by Roelof Hemmen and various guest speakers on the whisky market in the Netherlands and worldwide. On Sunday 28 June, the Dutch Whisky Event opens to the public: Dutch and Belgian distilleries present their whiskies to enthusiasts, with tastings, presentations, entertainment and a food court. The entry fee is 34.95 euros, including ten tasting tokens.
For the whisky sector in the Low Countries, this is a milestone. Never before have Dutch and Belgian distilleries come together in one place, and never before has the public had the chance to taste all these whiskies side by side. The event is held at the BUS Whisky distillery in Loosbroek.
BUS Whisky within the Dutch whisky landscape
The story of BUS Whisky begins in 2013, at the De Heische Hoeve family farm in Loosbroek. Dennis Hurkmans and Ezra Leeger make kirschwasser and cherry liqueur there from the cherries in their own garden, but can't find a liquor store willing to sell it. When a batch of malt is left over from a regional beer project, they decide to turn it into alcohol in the kirsch distillation kettle. Three years later, in 2016, BUS Whisky is officially founded. The first bottle appears in late 2019.
What follows is a rapid rise. International gold, silver and bronze in London, Hong Kong, San Francisco and China. Second place by production volume in the Netherlands. In 2025, BUS becomes the first Dutch whisky distillery ever to receive B Corp certification, and thereby the tenth in the world. The B Impact Score is 89.2 against a median of 80.
What makes BUS unique in the Dutch whisky landscape?
Single estate. We grow our brewing barley on our own land, right next to the distillery. An unusual choice in the whisky world: most producers buy in malt. By doing everything ourselves, we know exactly what's in the bottle. We outsource the malting to a specialised malthouse, after which everything returns to Loosbroek for distillation, maturation and bottling.
Wijst water. Loosbroek lies along the Peelrand Fault, a unique geological line where rare mineral-rich groundwater (wijst water) rises to the surface. We use this water for our whisky. It gives a character that can't be replicated elsewhere.
Organic and regenerative. Our barley has been SKAL organic certified since 2025. We work according to regenerative agriculture principles, with flower-rich field margins for biodiversity and without artificial fertiliser or synthetic pesticides.
B Corp and ISO 22000. We are the first Dutch B Corp whisky and the tenth in the world. We are also ISO 22000 certified for food safety, important for our export.
Craftsmanship by Marcel van Roessel. Our master distiller is responsible for the distillation process and cask selection. Our whisky mostly matures in first fill bourbon and sherry casks, personally selected in Scotland and Spain.
Cooperative ownership. BUS Whisky is a cooperative with more than five hundred co-owners. This means we're not building a whisky for investors, but with investors who simply love the whisky too.
Host of the Dutch Whisky Event. On 27 and 28 June 2026 we organise the first Dutch Whisky Event at our location in Loosbroek, where Dutch and Belgian whisky distilleries come together to jointly put the category "whisky from the Low Countries" on the map.
Alongside the bottle, we offer a complete whisky experience: tours of the distillery (daily at 4 pm), a farm restaurant with regional products, a cosy B&B, motorhome pitches and our own theatre show touring more than twenty Dutch theatres in the 2026-2027 season.
Frequently asked questions about Dutch whisky
Read all about Dutch whisky here
"The best" is subjective and depends on personal taste. In independent rankings and international competitions, Millstone (Zuidam), Cley and BUS Whisky consistently score high, among others. BUS Whisky stands out as the only B Corp-certified whisky distillery in the Netherlands.
The number varies quite a bit. After a strong growth phase, we're now also seeing distilleries stop. As of 2026, the Netherlands counts around thirty distilleries seriously producing whisky. In addition, there are, for example, beer brewers who take up whisky as a second line of business and lay down a few nice casks each year.
Yes. Dutch whisky meets the European legal requirements for whisky: at least three years of maturation in oak casks of no more than 700 litres and at least 40% alcohol at bottling. Many Dutch whiskies are rated by international judging panels on par with Scotch single malt.
At the producer's webshop (such as our online liquor store), at specialised whisky shops in the Netherlands and increasingly at regular liquor stores.
Many Dutch whisky producers work sustainably. BUS Whisky is the only Dutch whisky distillery with SKAL-certified production and also officially organic barley (since 2025). The barley is grown on our own land without artificial fertiliser or synthetic pesticides.
BUS Whisky offers daily tours at 4 pm. On weekends there are even multiple options per day. In addition, at BUS you can stay overnight at the B&B, on the motorhome pitch or dine at the restaurant. Other Dutch distilleries also occasionally offer tours by appointment.
Single estate whisky is whisky where the barley has been grown, distilled and bottled at one single location. It's comparable to single estate wine or single origin coffee. In the Netherlands, BUS Whisky is an example of a single estate whisky.
The biggest differences are climate (warmer and more changeable in the Netherlands, cold and damp in Scotland), traditions (Scottish production is centuries old and more strictly regulated) and style (Dutch whisky is often less smoky and more fruity). In terms of quality, both countries are now comparable. Although Dutch whisky is on average still often somewhat younger than Scotch.
The Dutch Whisky Event takes place on 27 and 28 June 2026 at BUS Whisky in Loosbroek. On Saturday 27 June there's the Dutch Distillers Dinner, a five-course dinner with talk show for whisky producers and press. On Sunday 28 June is the public event, where Dutch and Belgian distilleries present their whiskies with tastings, entertainment and a food court. The entry fee is 34.95 euros including ten tasting tokens. It's the first event to bring together the whisky sector from the Low Countries in one place.
Discover BUS Whisky
BUS Whisky combines Dutch whisky with a complete experience. Order a bottle from our online liquor store, book a tour of the most sustainable whisky distillery in the Netherlands, or come dine at our farm restaurant. Read more about our sustainable production and B Corp status, and join us on 27 and 28 June 2026 for the Dutch Whisky Event.