Zuidam Distillery was founded in 1975 in the Netherlands by Fred van Zuidam. The beginnings were humble. It took them over 10 years before the business started taking off – that is after Fred's wife Helene started designing the packaging for the products. These days the distillery is run by their two sons Patrick and Gilbert, however father Fred is still involved in all recipes and mother Helene continues to do the design. The family uses local windmills for the production of malted barley, helping preserve an important Dutch heritage of the World famous windmills.
Zuidam Millstone 100 Rye Whisky is a 100 proof, 100 months old, 100% Rye Grain, 100% Small Batch and 100% handmade Rye Whisky. A different take on Rye, indeed. We found a chocolatey feel to it, which we haven't discovered in American Rye's before.
What does Zuidam Millstone 100 Rye Whisky taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Zuidam Millstone 100 Rye Whisky 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.
This rye tries very hard, but it fails. There is too much heavy going on, no smoothness, no subtlety.
Yaser,
Oops, rated the wrong whisky! Spicey as hell, and interesting for it, great if you don't mind a little harshness, or want it to stand up in a cocktail
Yaser,
Fine, but kinda boring
Yaser,
Disregard, meant to but this on the Michters!
Stefanie,
Just no.
Nathan,
Smooth with a great balance of spice, rye, and pepper.
Michael,
Definitely taste the chocolate. Not bad, but not my favorite Rye
Gabriela,
Nope. Harsh, spicy, tough.
Dan,
Pretty Good.
Jason,
Nice rye, but for the price?
Nathan,
Haven’t had many ryes but I really enjoyed this. Toasted and chocolate and grass on the nose. Pepper and cinnamon on the tongue. Finishes with good heat but doesn’t burn.
Michael,
Pepper and rye forward with smooth and lasting flavor.
Skip,
Heavy on the spice but a really great drink. Depending on the price point, this could be a really great blend for Old Fashioneds.
Augustine,
All rye. Peppery, grassy and toasty. Got a bite without too much of a burn. Got a mellow finish. Not overly harsh for a 100% rye.
Tommy,
Rye, grassy rye.
Lawrence,
Spicy and peppery nose. Slight spice in the back of the throat. Oak
David,
Good rye whisky
Levi,
Pretty strong kick, not for amateur whiskey drinkers.
Nicholas,
Really like this one. Rye pepper nose. Pallet is really enjoyable, typical rye notes of spice on the front that i enjoy, but then explodes into a big chocolatey oak - like a scotchy oak but the chocolate and lingering rye spice make it a bit more interesting than a run of the mill scotch
Stephen,
I love rye whisky, but this felt unpolished. A little too alcohol forward and definitely on the spicy side.
Jason,
Spicy but smooth harsh, slow warm burn. Mild on the nose, can def taste pepper and cinnamon.
Terry,
Advent calendar. First 100% rye. Musky grassy nose. Holy cow rye. Smooth with a bit of heat. Long nice finish. Wow...did I say rye.
Maurice,
Fun and spicy, lots of great flavors, lots of cinnamon...
Todd,
Very much a rye in a good way. Has a sweetness and really get the cinnamon.
Kris,
Toasted notes, spice and chocolate on the nose, very pleasant. Spicy and peppery flavor, rich and tasty! A few drops of water adds even more smells and flavor.
Matthew,
Maybe closer to an 8.5 but I'm feeling generous, and I love rye and this is the first in the Advent calendar.
Nose has all the grassy and herbaceous notes I expect from a rye, with a hint of chocolate. On the tongue it opens up with toasted grains and subtle licorice, finishing with cinnamon and fresh wood shavings.
There is something specific in the aftertaste (which is lingering surprisingly long) which is maddeningly elusive. Some taste memory just outside my grasp.
Stephen,
Really liked this one. Lots of cinnamon
Dustin,
Holy rye Batman!!
Julie,
I was totally prepared to hate this... I'm not usually a fan of Rye, and with this being 100% rye at 100 proof I fully expected it to be way over the top, but I've never been more glad to be wrong. I got soft oak sawdust and sweet bourbon on the nose, a bit of grass and faint muscat grape on the tongue that flows into the gentlest touch of cinnamon, rye, and pepper spice. Medium dry finish that concludes with a slightly stronger hint back to the muscat grape flavor. If I had to pick a rye, this would definitely be it.
Scott,
Very nice rye. Not too grassy and enough spice to remind you it’s the holidays. Not as hot as I would have expected for 100 proof. Really liked the whole tasting experience.
Ben,
Sweet, thick
Eric,
Pretty good, lots of pepper with some sour candy. A little rough.
Matthew,
Spicy, but still subtly sweet, like pie spice. Not nearly the burn I was expecting from a 100-proof rye whiskey. This whiskey was featured in "101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die," so I'm glad I got to check it off my list.
Jamie,
Horrible. Regret drinking this.
Lea,
Pretty good for a rye. I’m just not fond of the peppery flavor in most eyes.
Briana,
Not my profile
Jason,
Cinnamon, pepper. Cinnamon, pepper. Not your typical rye, but still not quite right for me.
Tracy,
Spicy and a little sweet, with toast notes also - I liked it with an ice cube.
Vincent,
Advent Day 8 - A different take on rye, but I like it. Nice notes of pepper & spices on the nose & palate with hints of cinnamon and toasted oak.
Matthew,
This is an unapologetic rye. Sweet and cinnamon up front, rye bready feel on the tongue, and that Spicey back finish. I love ryes and this was right up my alley. That said, ryes are not for everyone, but if you are a rye lover you will like this one. Great rye whiskey bottle.
Liam,
Initially sting, fades to a rich warming flavor. Spicy and dark.
Mark,
It is better tasting than a traditional Rye, but I didn’t like the cinnamon taste. Adding a little water does open it up a little bit and makes it smoother
James,
Advent day 8, 2020.
Very enjoyable. Blindly, not sure I would have pegged this as a rye.
Nose made me think of baked bread and pretzels.
Taste is pepper with heat, eventually fading to bittersweet. Not overly complex but enjoyable and with a long finish.
Derek,
Very pleasant nose of oak and pepper. Opened with a spicy kick (but not too spicy) that turned into a surprisingly smooth and sweet, lingering finish - a richness reminiscent of a well-rounded bourbon and flavors of roasted peppers. This one was quite nice.
Thomas,
Pretty good, but not great, rye.
Louise,
In the third sip, I felt much more of the spice and cinnamon.
Scott,
Really liked this. A shot of water opened it right up.
Very nice but as a previous reviewer said, $80-$90/ bottle is a bit steep. I’d pass at that level.
Derek,
Very pleasant nose of oak and pepper. Opened with a spicy kick (but not too spicy) that turned into a surprisingly smooth and sweet, lingering finish - a richness reminiscent of a well-rounded bourbon and flavors of roasted peppers. This one was quite nice.
Adam,
Complex flavors throughout. Nice spice midway, I get a cocoa and sight cinnamon flavor late in the finish, which while subtle, adds a nice taste.
Todd,
I like this one. The price versus taste ratio is too high ($80-$90), though. I believe this is a good rye, not an exceptional rye.
James,
Memorable, strong flavors—Spicey, peppery, cinnamony. Rich, deep heat and body. Long tingle and aftertaste. Tastey but not subtle
Ryan,
Smells a little like cinnamon toast to me. Was not as spicy as I was expecting and all the more pleasant for it. Nice rye flavors and the toasty quality stays all the way through into a chocolatey finish. Winner in my book.
Aaron,
Lots of pepper and heat
Andrew,
The finish eventually “eases” into toasted oak and chocolate notes, but the initial bite is rough
Kent,
Very spicy Rye. Good start to Advent week #2.
Frank,
(Advent 2020, #8) In the nose you pick up spiciness (pepper) and dark chocolate. When tasting it the spiciness continues but with a smoother oaky sweetness. The finish is pleasantly long with a soft or toast/cinnamon flavor. Very enjoyable.
Jesse,
Not a fan of rye
Clark,
we bought this as part of the Ryevolution tasting box and it was the third of three that we tasted. more complex than the other two in the taster.
finish not as powerful or long-lasting as other Ryes.
there is chocolate in the nose, something I have never experienced in Whisky.
Bryan,
Very strong alcohol flavor and very sweet upfront
Daniel,
Advent 2020 #8 (also had in tasting box) - pepperiness comes through without a strong spicey bite.
Martin,
Just not to my taste.
Matt,
Slightly sweet, with vanilla and sweet corn on the nose. Overwhelming pepper finish. Preferred with ice.
Antti,
It is a very good, intense, Rye Whiskey that has an aromatic birth with notes of rye, chocolate, pepper, spices, grass, orange blossom, roasted lemon, a hint of thyme, brown sugar & sweet Bourbon; while a full & creamy life adds notes of lemon, pine, toasted oak, cinnamon, malted barley, pepper & sweet rye; that leads to a warming death of medium length with notes of cardamom & waxy fruits.
Mat,
I reckon this gets one star for novelty .... really unique aromas with some malty notes and toasted oak, but mainly I got a fresh timber note - like a wood shop/lumber yard, which was interesting if a little strange. I did get the chocolate note too.
Malty and toasty oak flavours on the palate with some sweetness coming through on the finish.
Derrick,
Tasted like pepper and cinnamon mixed into white dog.
Jon,
Not great flavor. Little bit of oak and little bit of sweet, but overall comes across muddy flavor
Sebastian,
I for the chocolate flavour... I tasted few times but this was not my cup of tee.
Stefan,
Choclate and spicy on the nose. A hint on the fruity and bready note. The same things are on the taste but their is also some oaky and bourbon notes that make it taste a fruity, smooth and spicy at the same time. Good first rye whisky to introduce a person into rye.
tapani,
Great Stuff!!
Viktor,
Interesting aftertaste
Edoardo,
Chocolate twist to a good rye whisky. it becomes more rounded and less spicy and savory, going towards new comers in this whisky trip. For everyone
Roger,
Haven’t had many Ryes but I’d drink this again.
Derek,
I’m new to rye whiskey but I liked it. Can imagine it making a good cocktail.
Jay,
Yuck
Mary,
Loved this!
Zach,
Good pepper flavor, but a little harsh taste
Daniel,
Aroma: wood, faint hint of pepper, slight tinge of rubbing alcohol. Taste:. Peppery spice strong, warmth that is almost hot. On ice: spice is subdued, oak comes through, hint of sweetness.
Overall great! I would be happy with a bottle of this on my shelf!
Erik,
Peppery at first but a lot of citrus and caramel at the end. Too strong to have straight. Best over ice and a few stirs.
Holly,
Very spicy, continues to improve over the glass.
Michael,
Not smooth at all
Maïlys,
Very smooth, love the smell ! Round and spicy !
Robert,
Very unique. Grassy, chocolaty.
Jim,
Not my taste.
Erwin,
Cardboard with a hint of rye. What?! Ya, sorry, not my fav.
Erwin,
Cardboard with a hint of rye. What?! Ya, sorry, not my fav.
Robert,
Inspection: Nice Golden color. A good stick to the side walls of the glass.
Aroma: Very smooth, Strong Toasted Oak, and Vanilla. Reminds me of The Holidays.
Taste: Very Spicy, and Pepper after taste. Not my favorite
Exhale: Also very Spicy. A bit much.
Overall: Not for me. Aroma smelled so good, but the taste and exhale is just too spicy and peppery for my liking.
Michael,
my favorite of the three. interesting. Very spicy up front with a bit of sweetness to follow and a surprisingly smooth finish
Wilford,
My favorite of the three. Great aroma, almost a licorice scent. Spicy, sweet, nutty, with a wonderful lingering aftertaste. If I'm going to drink Rye, this is the one I want.
Aaron,
My favorite out of the 3. Spicy, smooth. Easy to drink neat
Ivan,
I liked it, just enough rye and spice and some sweetness.
Luke,
Enjoyed it, but a bit strong and spicy
Amy,
Bite, great aroma, sour, great after taste
Pete,
Almost a peaty note to it with spice.
Carl,
Spice, honey, heat, edge, caramel.
Antonio,
One of the better Rye's I've had.
Brad,
Spicy, then very sweet. Smooth finish.
Gerry,
Tasted like cardboard
Daniel,
Ok great for a mixer
Albert,
Spicy sweet. Great rye
Josh,
Spicy
Alex,
caramel, pine, sweet. reminded me of one of the buffalo trace oak projects.
Richard,
Those Dutch...all things good!
Tim,
Very interesting chocolate taste. Definetely worth a try!
Dean,
There is just nothing special to this rye. Lacking the typical rye flavor and having an overpowering spiciness to it. A cap full of water really helps to bring out depth in this rye.
Brad,
Tasty. Want it to be good due to being Netherlands heritage.
Good body and cinnamon. Lon
Joe,
That was sweet.
Lorenzo,
Very good Rye. Delicious sweet chocolate, vanilla notes, nice smooth finish, creamy texture. I enjoyed this sample, will definitely grab a bottle of this.
Micah,
Very interesting, tones of citrus notes on the nose and a sort of orange quality, I would be interested to see how this played with chocolate bitters. Kind of a holiday chocolate covered orange, but whiskey!!!
Jimmy,
Good
Bradley,
Spicy, chocolatey on the back end. Damn fine, indeed