Is This The Definitive End for Hooghoudt? Nearly 600 Barrels Head to Auction

Hooghoudt Distillery is in the midst of a transition. The distillery has been taken over by La Martiniquaise and was slated to make its move to Ghent by the end of this year. However, matters now seem considerably bleak for the whisky maker, with a hefty stock of Hooghoudt whisky barrels making a surprise appearance on the auction market.

Groningen was dealt quite a shock when Hooghoudt announced its doors would be closing in July. For over 137 years, the company has been distilling Gin and (later) whisky in the Netherlands but now stands under the ownership of Belgium's La Martiniquaise.

The news was closely followed by the announcement of the distillery's impending move to Ghent. This was planned to take place by year's end, but now it appears the whisky maker's run might be coming to a definitive end.

An impressive collection of Hooghoudt Distillery barrels have emerged on auction website Troostwijk Auctions. The barrels, packed away in containers in Veendam, offer a varied selection. Among the offerings are gin barrels heading under the hammer, along with a large number of single grain whisky barrels. In total, there are 587 barrels.

The bulk of the lots contain Oloroso sherry barrels ranging from 250 to 500 liters, holding single grain whisky. The barrels' whisky age varies significantly, from 3 years to a standout 28 years. The latter could fittingly be called one of the oldest whisky in the Netherlands.

The starting price for nearly every lot sits firmly at 500 euros. The expected fetching price for the barrels remains unclear. All will come to light when the auction commences on the 10th of November and the barrels finally change hands.

The auction is only open to those holding an Excise Goods Place permit, in essence, someone who can lawfully store the barrels. Everyone else is excluded.

Hooghoudt certainly has a major move ahead, and the 'brief' relocation of nearly 600 barrels is not to be taken lightly. It might be the case that La Martiniquaise simply chose not to bring along the maturing stock; however, the decision to leave the old barrels behind might hint towards another conclusion.

We've reached out to La Martiniquaise for a comment.