2012 | Netherlands / Holland

"Clear as rainwater. The bouquet doesn’t reach up and grab you as much as it seduces you with gentle waves of mild spirit and grainy richness. The palate entry offers mild spiciness and cereal sweetness. Finishes marvelously long, doughy, round, subtly citrusy and moderately sweet. Classy, complex and multilayered." 90-95 pts.

"Sweet cherry white chocolate torte aromas follow through on a silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with pistachio oil and faint licorice and marzipan accents. Finishes with a zippy, fruity talc and cherry pit fade. Solid dry cherry flavor for mixing." Reviewed by: Beverage Testing Institute 86pts

"Initial nosing passes reveal a zesty and mildly spicy aroma that’s focused on the cereal grain; the bouquet registers on the leaner, drier side of neutral grain spirits and as such is in direct opposition to other creamier, sweeter Dutch vodkas. Palate entry is moderately sweet, almost smoky; at midpalate, a flash of black licorice tempts the taste buds, then recedes, allowing the sweet, nearly smoky/pipe tobacco leaf taste to dominate." 90-95 pts.

"Clear as rainwater. The bouquet doesn’t reach up and grab you as much as it seduces you with gentle waves of mild spirit and grainy richness. The palate entry offers mild spiciness and cereal sweetness. Finishes marvelously long, doughy, round, subtly citrusy and moderately sweet. Classy, complex and multilayered." 90-95 pts.

"Heineken is brewed using the same method developed in 1873 and takes the better part of a month to brew - around twice as long as regular beer. The extended "lagering" gives Heineken its distinctive flavor and clarity."

"Initial nosing passes reveal a zesty and mildly spicy aroma that’s focused on the cereal grain; the bouquet registers on the leaner, drier side of neutral grain spirits and as such is in direct opposition to other creamier, sweeter Dutch vodkas. Palate entry is moderately sweet, almost smoky; at midpalate, a flash of black licorice tempts the taste buds, then recedes, allowing the sweet, nearly smoky/pipe tobacco leaf taste to dominate." 90-95 pts.

"Bold aromas of frosted raisin scone and fruit cake follow through on a very smooth and satiny entry to a glycerous dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with excellent depth and balance. Finishes with a vivacious, sweet oatmeal, dried flower and pepper accented fade. A delicious, vibrant and bready genever that will be great on its own or in cocktails." Gold Medal.