Zuidam

Patrick van Zuidam, master distiller, fulfilled his long-cherished dream with Millstone Whisky: to create a Dutch Single Malt based on the Scottish model, but with its own unique character. The name Millstone refers to the traditional Dutch windmills that grind the grain for the Whisky, emphasising the connection to his homeland.

Zuidam produces both unpeated and peated variants. Among the best-known bottlings are Millstone American Oak, Millstone Peated Pedro Ximénez, Millstone Oloroso and Millstone Rye Whisky. The range is complemented by limited special editions, including the Dutch Tulip Collection and the Dutch Windmills Collection, which are released exclusively for the German market.

A special creation is the Smuggler's Trail Single Blended Whisky, dedicated to the former smuggler's trail near the distillery. For this, three Whiskies distilled at Zuidam – Single Malt, Wheat Whisky and Grain Whisky – are blended together, giving it depth and a balanced character.

Zuidam Distillers is one of the last independent distilleries in the Netherlands and produces its spirits using traditional methods. In addition to Millstone Whisky, it also produces Flying Dutchman Rum, Dutch Courage Gin and various genevers, liqueurs and vodkas – all made without artificial flavours, colours or additives.

A great deal of time and care is devoted to the production of Millstone Whiskies. An exceptionally long fermentation period of seven days ensures fruity, complex flavours. The subsequent slow distillation takes place in small copper stills, giving Millstone Whiskies their fine structure and elegant depth.

From the selection of the grain to the barrel ageing, every step of the production process reflects Zuidam's commitment to producing spirits of the highest craftsmanship.

Zuidam is committed to transparency and regionality. Most of the barley and rye used for the Whisky is grown by the distillery itself. This “farm to glass” principle allows complete control over the quality of the raw materials and creates a direct link between cultivation, processing and enjoyment.

The grain is traditionally ground in windmills – a tribute to Dutch culture and at the same time a trademark of Millstone Whiskies.

At Zuidam, maturation plays a decisive role in the aromatic profile of the Whiskies. They are stored in selected oak casks, including former Bourbon, Sherry and wine casks, which give Millstone Whisky its distinctive nuances.

The warm, dry climate in the warehouses of Baarle-Nassau leads to a high evaporation rate of around four to six per cent per year – approximately 125 litres per day. This “angel's share” contributes significantly to the concentration and depth of the aroma and ensures the characteristic intensity of Millstone Whiskies.

The history of the Zuidam Distillery began in 1975, when Fred van Zuidam founded a small distillery in Baarle-Nassau with a single copper still and only 300 square metres of floor space. From the outset, his goal was to produce only high-quality, handcrafted spirits.

He was soon joined by his wife, Hélène van Zuidam, who used her flair for design and aesthetics to create the packaging and labels. Thanks to her dedication, the young distillery gained increasing recognition and was able to establish itself on the Dutch market.

In 1976, Fred and Hélène began producing classic liqueurs and genever under the name Zuidam Distillers. Over the following years, the company grew steadily. In 1989, the distillery was expanded for the first time. A new 600-square-metre warehouse and a second production line were added, significantly increasing production capacity.

In the 1990s, the two sons, Patrick and Gilbert van Zuidam, took on increasing responsibility in the family business. Patrick, himself a passionate Whisky lover, began his first experimental distillations in 1996 with the aim of creating his own Dutch Whisky. After several years of development, this resulted in Millstone Whisky, the first Single Malt Whisky from the Netherlands.

The success of Millstone Whisky marked the beginning of a new era for Zuidam Distillers. The distillery was modernised and continuously expanded. Today, it covers around 3,600 square metres of production space, has four copper stills, more than 1,000 oak barrels, four production lines and its own bottling plant.

Since its foundation, the goal of creating spirits of the highest quality has remained unchanged – with passion, precision craftsmanship and the aim of giving each product its own identity. Under the leadership of Patrick van Zuidam (General Manager and Master Distiller) and Gilbert van Zuidam (Sales Director), the family continues the legacy of their parents and preserves the character of an independent family business.

The Zuidam Distillery is not open to the public but offers guided tours for groups upon request. These tours provide an exclusive insight into the artisanal production, distillation and storage of spirits. Interested parties can contact the distillery in Baarle-Nassau directly for further information.