Dahomey Grain Whisky Double Cask Review: Dutch terroir through and through

Wednesday, 05 November 2025 at 15:04

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What happens when a passion for working the land is passed down to you from childhood and you’re a lover of the nectar of the gods yourself? Then it’s almost inevitable you’ll start crafting whisky from extraordinary grains.

In this article

What is Dahomey Grain Whisky Double Cask?
A grain whisky of Dutch origin
Who makes this whisky?
Distillery de Bronckhorst
What does the whisky taste like?
Notes of wood, caramel, toast, citrus, pepper, grain, currants, and chocolate.

That’s exactly what happened at Distillery de Bronckhorst. Master distiller Erik Legters decided a few years ago to create a whisky whose character doesn’t come primarily from the cask, but is driven by the grain itself.

The whisky was named Dahomey, after the smallest cattle breed in the world. While the breed originally hails from southern Africa, the whisky certainly doesn’t—this one is 100 percent Dutch.

Dutch terroir in a bottle

The flavor of this whisky begins in the very soil where its grain is grown. You could say that the whisky from Distillery de Bronckhorst has Dutch terroir in its DNA.

Under the Dahomey banner, several grain whiskies have now been distilled and laid down to mature. The Dahomey Grain Whisky Double Cask is one of them. The spirit was distilled on June 22, 2020 in both pot and column stills at the distillery.

The Dutch whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks. It then received a finishing period in heavily toasted STR casks for a flavorful twist. On June 26, 2025, the Dutch whisky was bottled without an age statement at 53 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

See, Nose, Taste

Country:	Netherlands
Brand	Distillery de Bronckhorst
Whisky type	Grain
Color:	Amber
Tasting notes:	Wood, caramel, toast, citrus, pepper, grain, currants, and chocolate
Age:	5 years old
Alcohol by volume:	53 percent alcohol by volume (ABV)
Bottle size:	70 centiliters
Price	185 euros including luxury box

Distillery de Bronckhorst Dahomey Grain Whisky Double Cask

Toast with a hint of straw

As soon as you pour Dahomey Grain Whisky into your glass, it’s clear you’re dealing with a bourbon-cask whisky. The nose is sweet, with vanilla and a delicate spice of nutmeg and caramel.

It also evokes fresh bread straight from the oven. Linger a little longer and you’ll catch a whisper of pine resin, underpinned by gentle wood and a touch of snapped straw.

It’s an intriguing profile that invites you to pause before taking that first sip.

From custard to fresh pine needles

On the palate, the whisky feels oily. It’s creamy, and combined with initial notes of honey, vanilla, and raisins, it brings to mind a rich custard.

Toasted bread soon joins in, along with a flavor reminiscent of fruity gummy candy. A hint of citrus, mint, and warming spices ties it all together.

As the finish approaches, a tingling pepper note appears while the fruit tones fade. The whisky takes its leave of your palate smoothly and unhurriedly. Right before it fully disappears, a fresh flicker of pine needles makes a brief return.

Conclusion: Dahomey Grain Whisky Double Cask Review

This whisky from Distillery de Bronckhorst is approachable on the nose and offers a few pleasant surprises on the palate. It’s fresh and gentle, with a little peppery kick to wake up the tongue.

+ Fresh and gentle

+ Lovely creaminess on the tongue

+ Grain-forward whisky

- The peppery finish won’t be for everyone

Discover more of our whisky reviews.

Want to know more? Visit the refreshed Distillery de Bronckhorst website.