Donald Trump’s European Tour

In 17th century Amsterdam the unfortunately named Wynand Fockink, with the assistance of his mother (inevitably known as Mother Focking), set up his eponymous gin distillery. It was the heyday of the Dutch East Indies company and the wealth of the orient was flowing into Holland. Taking advantage of newly available exotic oriental spices, the Fockink distillery made expensive distillates for the rich burghers of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam’s oldest distillery and its products

The distillery is Amsterdam’s oldest and and remains largely unchanged. It’s core product is Genever, a precursor to the London Dry Gin that we drink today. Genever is softer and more floral than gin. Made from malt wine, Genever is typically drunk neat at room temperature. I was with Mini Me, the Princess Monkey and our Dutch handler. The handler introduced us to the Fockink people as representatives from Martini Mandate; an influential drinks publication. An impromptu tour and tasting session was organised. The distillery’s output is tiny and only sold at…

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