If only the New York Knicks scored as well as their namesake, Knickerbocker Gin… there would be a few more championship seasons in New Amsterdam.
New Holland Brewing Company was the brain-child of two college buddies — Jason Spaulding and Brett Vander Kamp. They launched their little enterprise back in 1996, at the leading edge of the craft brewing and distilling movement. Based in Holland, Michigan, they have grown formidably, but have remained staunchly independent. Today they brew a wide range of beers and, in 2005, began distilling Spirits, ranging from Whiskeys, Rums, an Orange Liqueur, and Gins.
What’s a "knickerbocker" anyway? Well, it’s pants… as in, "don’t get your knickers in a bunch!" It’s also as in "The New York Knicks," and we all know that New York was once called "New Amsterdam" right? Amsterdam in is Holland… New Holland brewing… get it? Knickerbocker Gin is, at its heart, a London Dry style Gin, and a very nice one at that.
The list of botanicals is just as it should be, twelve in all; juniper, coriander, angelica root, orange and lemon zest, cinnamon, ginger, orris, cardamon, fennel, clove, and nutmeg. That fennel is a pleasant surprise and accounts for the spice. It will certainly be a winner in your next cocktail with that spicy fennel acting as counterpoint to the freshness of the tonic and fruitiness of the Negroni.
Smartass Corner: "Knickerbocker" was the nickname given to Dutch immigrants landing in New York because of the traditional baggy pants worn by the men.
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Knickerbocker Gin and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Classifications of Gin: London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin, Old Tom Gin, Genever or Dutch, New Western or new American or International style.
Not a gin drinker, but this is something that I can get behind. Great ginger-citrus flavor. A sweet aftertaste coupled with the refreshing notes of summer.
Joe,
Very pleasant subtle nose nice variety of tastes as it goes down. One of the few gins I’d attempt to drink neat
Felipe,
More of a 7.5, very pleasant all around, just doesn’t pop.
Scott,
This is my go-to Christmas gin. Not for every-day consumption. It is to Hendricks what Lagavulin is to Glenlivet.
Harry,
I didn’t care for this Gin. It was too heavy on the lemon zest. Not well balanced for a London Dry Gin.
Dawn,
A smooth flavor
Ryan,
I really enjoyed the citrus up front and the nice spicy bite on the back end. Great Gin!
Steve,
Lovely juniper aromas and a complex finish,.
Richard,
Loved it!! A tiny bit sweet with a fall feel.
Raimonds,
BEST GIN EVER!!!!
Chris,
This gin is delicious. Very smooth. Can mix with everything, however on the rocks works well too! Enjoy.
Michael,
Favorite in the gin taster. Very surprising to have a cinnamon finish. Also made a great gin and tonic with it.
Chris,
This was favorite in the gin taster I received. Very clean, crisp finish.
Gala,
Lemony. Yummy.
Jeremiah,
I like the spicy, almost smokey flavor. Nice mix of juniper in the background.
Dawson,
This Gin is smooth and very good.
Jim,
Not my favorite but I like it. It almost seems to me that it can’t decide between a London dry or a citrusy gin. If you like that great. I’d use this for a martini in a minute.
Gary,
Lots of citrus going on here! Excellent gin! No need to add lemon zest, but it certainly wouldn't hurt!
Jerry,
I’m not a big gin drinker but I’ll probably buy a bottle. It was smooth, and the flavors were subtle.
Chris,
Hint of clove and a lot of floral. Really enjoyable just on the rocks.
Bryan,
Forward floral taste, but smooth on the finish
Amanda,
Lemon zest! Makes a great gin and tonic.
Floyd,
I love this gin! I am not a big fan of fruity gins. Knickerbocker is dry with a woody taste. It works especially well in martinis. One of my go to gins.
Stacey,
This gin could hold its own against many of the better British gins, IMHO.
Sam,
Very standard gin. Not overpowering. Not overly memorable.
Emily,
Delicious gin, very good in a G&T. Fruity.
Catherine,
Packs a punch flavorwise. Does leave a fruity aftertaste. Good for one drink, not many consecutively.
Ryan,
Pretty solid, but a little edgy. Toss in a lime and it smooths out into a good GnT.
Levi,
Good option for gin
Alexa,
Lemony with a hint of chili kick.
Angela,
Citrusy, very smooth. Not heavy on the juniper
Zachary,
Sip worthy gin
Antti,
It is a very good, London Dry style Gin, that has an aromatic & clean birth; while a bold & rich life leads to a long & dry death with notes of herbs & spices.
Luis,
Delightful gin with some fruity tones. Enjoyed straight, and with some tonic... but anything more would lose the uniqueness of her.
Teri,
This is a unique flavor - to me anyway. It’s a complex flavor but yet smooth. I really enjoyed
Roland,
Just not my cup of tea - or gin. Didn't have the botanicals I expected from the review.
Kori,
Intense!
Jason,
Limon heads is the nose, flavor is cinnamon, ginger, herbs. I believe that I am becoming a lover of gin. 👍🏻
Bryan,
This gin is fantastic. I just bought my first bottle after sampling it. It has a unique taste and should be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. You don't need to mix this gin with anything. It's that good.
Steven,
I suppose this is more your classic gin expectation. Strong alpine start with smooth floral finish. Not as striking as finish of Hendricks but relatively similar.
Michael,
Great Gin! I tried this in the Ginaissance sampler and immediately bought a bottle. Goes great with Fever Tree tonic.
Floyd,
This has become my favorite gin. It is smooth and complex, not too flowery; dry with a woodsy flavor. Great for martinis.
Deja,
I love this gin!
Samantha,
My favorite of the tasters in Ginaissance. A nice, smooth, complex gin that is great as a stand alone drink, but would be fantastic in a G&T s well.
Doug,
Delicious! Flowery and piney, perfect for a dry gin martini with a little more Briney garnish. Certain vermouths expose a tinge of spearmint.
Mark,
Great neat
Alvin,
Great with tonic
Jeff,
Refreshing gin with floral undertones. My wife remarked that it tasted, “green”.
Christopher,
I usually hate gin but I had this in a tasting box and fell in love with it.
Kenneth,
Heavy chemical citron and lemon, mild zest and cinnamon. Not a fan.
Jeff,
Smooth with an attitude; hey, i'm not drinking a fucking pine tree afterall.
David,
Spice and pepper was overpowering but it was smooth and not my thing.
Barry,
Pepper in yo face... but smooth and good... but it
walt,
It's a very smooth gin. the aroma is nice and a finish that's a little peppery. A good solid choice.