The Lucas Bols company, founded in 1575, is the oldest Dutch active Dutch company and the oldest distillery in the world. Bols, also one of the largest spirits company in the world, manufacturers over 9.2 million gallons of genevers, liqueurs, gin and vodka yearly.  Unicahome had the opportunity to share a few drinks with Mr. Tal Nadari, Managing Director of Lucas Bols USA.

The topic of conversation was classic cocktails. Representing a company with over 500 years of experience, Mr. Nadari took us along with a few adventuring mixologists to a ‘historical location’- the oldest bar in Clark County Nevada, the Pioneer Saloon.

On the bar were bottles of Bols Genever, a Dutch gin based on a recipe dating back to 1820.  Gin was invented by the Dutch in the 16^th century, primarily for the medicinal properties of juniper, one of the primary ingredients. Most of what we know as gin is actually classified as London Dry Gin, featuring floral and botanical highlights due to addition of these compounds during the distillation.  Genever gins are more similar to whiskey, in that a fermented ‘maltwine’ of rye, corn and wheat is distilled and then blended with botanical extracts.  Genever gin also may be aged.

Genever gins were a staple for classic cocktails pre-prohibition. Jerry Thomas’ classic How to Mix Drinks (1862) features numerous recipes using genevers, and the trend increased through the end of the 19^th century, with genever outselling gin by six to one.

Another major difference with classic cocktails today is that ice was not readily available in the 19^th century. “If you want to know what a classic cocktail should taste like, make it without ice or add water,” Nadari hinted. He also strongly urged the crowd to add a ‘twist’ to their classics by revisiting neo-traditional drinks with genever gin substituted.

What followed was a series of classic cocktails dating back to Thomas’ 1862 classic.

Very Old Fashioned

The Very Old Fashioned is a take on the classic Old Fashioned, a cocktail made sugar, bitters, and bourbon, garnished with an orange rind. This version substitutes Bols Genever gin and utilizes Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters, which has strong flavors of clove, cinnamon, and raisin.

2 oz Bols Genever
1.5 barspoons muscovado sugar (muscovado is unrefined brown sugar and is very sweet, with molasses
like overtones. This is an important ingredient)
2-3 dashes Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters by the Bitter Truth (Angostura may be substituted)
½ oz simple syrup (make sure purchased syrup does not contain vanilla)

Stir a shot of Genever with a dash of bitters, a small amount of sugar and ice cubes. Keep adding ice while stirring until suitable flavor is reached. Add a twist of orange to the rim.

Latest Word

The Latest Word is a variation on the The Last Word, a classic cocktail developed at the Detroit Athletic Club.  Originally made with gin, the substitution of Genever gin mellows the cocktail a bit.

¾ oz Genever Bols
¾ oz Green Chartreuse
¾ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
¾ ox fresh Lime Juice

Shake and strain.

Basil Gimlet

The Gimlet is a classic cocktail traditionally made with gin and lime juice. In this variation, Bols’ Damrak Gin is used, along with basil.  This cocktail is easy to make and was incredibly refreshing.

3 fresh Basil Leaves
1 ½ oz Damrak Gin
¾ oz fresh Lime Juice
½ oz simple syrup

Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain. Add basil leaf as garnish.

Harvey Wallbanger

The Harvey Wallbanger is a classic post-prohibition cocktail dating to the 1950s.  Using Galliano, Vodka and Orange Juice, the drink reached its peak in the 1970s. Galliano is an Italian liqueur dating to 1896 and packaged as a yellow liquid in a very distinctive bottle.  In 2006 Bols purchased Galliano and took the product back to its original recipe and 84 proof.

1 ½ oz vodka
4 oz fresh squeezed Orange Juice
½ oz Galliano float

Mix vodka and orange juice in a highball glass filled with ice. Float the Galliano and garnish with an orange wedge.

Galliano has recently introduced a ristretto version, with a blend of robusto and Arabica coffee beans. More flavorful and less sweet than Kahlua, it will be interesting to see what this new addition brings re: cocktails.

Kopstootje (Little Headbutt, pronounced cop-sto-tje)

Also used in the Genever Slurp, Genever is served in a tulip glass to the brim. Unable to pick up the glass without spilling, you must bend at the waist and slurp. Toast your friends with the beer.

The Pioneer Saloon, built in 1913, is located in Goodsprings, Nevada, about 30 miles south of Las Vegas. Noel Sheckells, owner, was on hand to give us some historical background.  Featuring vintage tin exterior ‘bricks’ and interior tin walls and ceilings, the Saloon has been featured in numerous movies. Clark Gable drank in the Saloon as he awaited news on the death of his wife, Carole Lombard. The bar in the Saloon dates to 1860 and was brought in from Rhyolite, Nevada.  The Saloon has had its share of Wild West stories, with a poker player named Paul Coski shot to death on the premises in 1915. Bullet holes in the walls are still visible. Evidently in 1915 you were allowed to shoot card cheats and horse thieves. No charges were filed. Hours of operation are 10am-10pm M-F and 9am-2pm on weekends.  Grills are available for rental on the premises.

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