Bobby's Schiedam Dry Gin is the kind of spirit that makes you rethink categories. Distilled in Schiedam — the historic home of Dutch genever — it draws on both European gin traditions and the Indonesian heritage of its creator's grandfather, "Bobby" Alfons, who emigrated from Indonesia to the Netherlands in the mid-20th century.
The result is a gin that sits at the intersection of two traditions: the malty, grain-forward character of Dutch genever and the aromatic complexity of Southeast Asian botanicals. It shouldn't work. It works brilliantly.
The Botanicals
The botanical bill is where Bobby's declares its dual identity. Alongside traditional genever botanicals — juniper, coriander, fennel seed — you'll find lemongrass, cloves, cubeb pepper, and rose hips, all drawn from Indonesian culinary and herbal traditions. The base spirit includes a proportion of malt wine, the grain distillate that gives genever its distinctive richness.
On the Nose
The nose is immediately distinctive. There's a warm, malty sweetness — unmistakably genever — layered with bright lemongrass and a fragrant clove-rose combination that evokes a Southeast Asian spice market. Juniper is present but plays an ensemble role rather than leading. It's complex, inviting, and unlike anything else on the gin shelf.
On the Palate
The malt wine base gives Bobby's a richness that dry gins simply don't have. The entry is soft, slightly sweet, and grain-forward, but the Indonesian botanicals quickly assert themselves: lemongrass brings a citrusy freshness, cloves add warm spice, and cubeb pepper introduces a gentle heat that builds through the mid-palate.
What impresses most is the integration. These aren't disparate flavours competing for attention — they're woven together into something cohesive and harmonious. The genever character provides a rich, warm foundation, and the Asian botanicals add brightness, spice, and complexity on top. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a pleasant oiliness.
The Finish
Medium-long, warm, and gently spicy. The lemongrass lingers alongside a malty sweetness, with clove and pepper providing a warming conclusion. It's a finish that feels complete — every element present, nothing missing.
Mixing
Bobby's makes a remarkable G&T. Pair it with a quality tonic and a slice of fresh ginger, and the gin's spice notes bloom beautifully. It's also excellent in a Penicillin variation — substituting the whisky for Bobby's creates a drink that somehow makes complete sense.
In a Negroni, the malt wine base stands up to Campari's bitterness more successfully than many lighter gins, producing a richer, more complex version of the classic.
The Verdict
Bobby's Schiedam Dry Gin is a genuine original. It honours both of its cultural heritages — Dutch and Indonesian — without compromising either, and the resulting spirit is unlike anything else in the category. If you're bored by the sameness of many contemporary gins, Bobby's is the antidote.
Highly recommended for adventurous drinkers and anyone interested in what happens when gin traditions collide.
