Meet the driving force behind Whisky Monkeys, the editorial team! Click on the names to link to an interview with the individual monkeys and to see a face with the names.
Rox van der Helm
Rox holds a Bachelor's degree in Dutch Language and Culture and a Master's in Journalism. She is the founder of Whisky Monkeys (2023). A curious, quick-thinking all-rounder, Rox is a storyteller through and through. She has written several books and made her mark as editor-in-chief in the video game industry.
A long-time whisky enthusiast, she spends her rare moments of free time visiting whisky bars, exploring distilleries, traveling, and watching (arthouse) films. Her greatest journey? The adventure called Whisky Monkeys!
Rox is also a certified whisky ambassador and holds an official license to sell spirits.
Theo Weber
While his wife Rox shines in front of the camera, the spot behind it is firmly reserved for Theo. He channels his creativity into the beautiful illustrations he creates. Whether he sips a glass of Glenmorangie or Japanese whisky to spark his artistic flow remains his little secret. His reviews, however, he shares gladly with the world and how!
His writing style can only be described as poetic. With his warm Limburg accent, Theo is a delightful conversation partner, perfect for an evening of light-hearted talk about good food and an even sweeter dram. He’s also been active as a journalist for over ten years.
To top it off, Theo is a certified whisky ambassador and holds a license to sell spirits.
Ralph Beentjes
Ralph has been a professional journalist for over ten years. As a true fantasy geek, he frequently drifts into other dimensions sometimes it's a whisky festival, other times it’s a Formula 1 race. With his broad whisky palate and love of history, he keeps readers hooked on aqua vitae. A fan of wordplay, Ralph serves up fun facts and entertainment in equal measure. But be warned: don’t call him Ralf in the comments... or you might just become history yourself.
Siniša Stojkovic
Siniša is a man of few words, except in his articles, of course. When the sun is out, you’ll likely find this rugged motorcyclist behind his barbecue. His love for whisky and cigars is almost matched by his passion for beekeeping. As a veteran, Siniša carries a wealth of life experience, and it shines through in his deeply insightful articles. He has a particular soft spot for Lowland whiskies an underrated gem in his eyes. And let’s not forget his exceptional nose; the amount he can pick up from a single dram is nothing short of impressive.
Jan-Marc Gozeling
The name behind the distinctive face and matching beard is Jan-Marc. His list of hobbies is endless, but whisky firmly takes the top spot. He travels across the country to attend tastings and festivals, with the annual highlight being Maltstock. Jan-Marc is just like the way he prefers his whisky: undiluted. What you see is what you get perfectly sums up this seasoned enthusiast. With a flood of questions, he soaks up whisky news like a sponge. No surprise, then, that this rugged bass guitarist is an advanced whisky ambassador. Jan-Marc speaks his mind and you’ll definitely notice that in his brutally honest reviews.
Rob Broers
Rob has been around in the whisky world for quite some time. Like a tiger on the prowl, he scours the internet and local shops in search of the best whisky bargains. Every week, he reports on wallet-friendly whisky deals. He’s also an active
Whiskyhunter, spending his days tracking down rare and meaningful bottles. Versatile as ever, you’ll find Rob cycling, hiking, playing squash, or cruising through the beautiful Limburg countryside in a classic car.
Gemma Damen
“What’s in my tumbler?” is the question Gemma often asks herself—and her followers. This Insta-queen delivers eye-catching features, stunning photos, and reviews in both Dutch and English to whisky lovers in Amsterdam and far beyond. She’s been attending festivals and tastings for years, always on the lookout for her next favourite dram. Once Gemma starts talking about whisky, there’s almost no stopping her. And of course, she visits Scotland regularly—how could she not?
Harry Brennan
Born in the small English village of Devizes but living in the Netherlands for several years now, Harry is a young man with plenty of miles under his belt. This cheerful Scotsman loves taking you on a journey across Europe, revealing the hidden gems the continent has to offer. As a brand ambassador for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, you’ll find him just as often behind a festival stand as behind his laptop, keeping us updated with our daily dose of whisky news.
In addition to his writing, Harry also runs his own whisky business, Eurowhisky, through which he imports various European whisky brands.
Ilse van Eekeren
As a liquor store employee, Ilse brings a wealth of insider knowledge that’s hard to beat. Her articles always hit the mark—no surprise, given that archery is one of her hobbies. She also enjoys playing Mahjong competitively and, naturally, loves sharing a glass of the water of life with her partner. Keep an eye on this rising star and expect the unexpected from her pen, because surprising whisky facts are exactly what Ilse aims for.
Oh, and she’s a big fan of The Glenmorangie.
Hessel Koeten
Hessel is like a fine whisky, rich in layers. A true whisky lover through and through, he can talk for hours about Scottish drams, independent bottlers, and much more. He also has a deep love for history, and it’s almost like whisky itself: the older the spirit, the more Hessel can tell you about it. With his wide-ranging interest in the water of life and a talent for storytelling, he regularly delivers fascinating articles that are a real treat to read.
Daan van Someren
Daan began his writing career at a whisky magazine and is far from a newcomer in the whisky world. He prefers to go by Daan. Let’s be honest, it rolls off the tongue much better than a prophet’s name with an umlaut. In his free time, you’ll find him gardening in his vegetable patch, strumming his guitar with green fingers, or diving into a serious game of Fortnite.
Ever since his first encounter with a glass of Blackadder The Legendary, he’s been hooked on the water of life. His love for whisky matches his love for those daily bike rides to work and for writing about the elixir of life.
Does Daan travel to Scotland regularly? You bet he does.
Eline Knol
By day, she’s a physics and chemistry teacher but after hours, Eline transforms into a true Whisky Monkey. With over ten years of experience as a whisky enthusiast and volunteer at the Whisky Festival Noord-Nederland, she knows her way around a dram. She also spent many years working at a specialist whisky store.
Eline combines her passion for whisky with a love for cooking, whether it’s a splash of whisky in the dish, in the sauce, or simply in a glass beside the stove. She can’t wait to share both her family-rooted and self-taught whisky knowledge with a wider audience.
Simon Kwee
Simon has a soft spot for whiskies from Asia. As a Japanologist, he has deep knowledge of everything from the Land of the Rising Sun. His love for drinks doesn’t stop at whisky, he’s also a big fan of sake.
Beyond the glass, Simon is passionate about video games and good food. You can expect to see him regularly sharing fun and insightful articles on the website.
Nick van den Berg
Nick van den Berg woont samen met zijn vriendin Rianne in Alkmaar. Hij was al vroeg bekend met de drie J’s (Jameson, Jack Daniel's & Johnnie Walker). Al snel ging hij op whisky ontdekkingsreis en is hij erachter gekomen dat hij toch een groot voorliefde heeft voor de grote drie: Schotse, Ierse en Amerikaanse whisk(e)y’s! Hij heeft een tijdje voor een slijterij gewerkt en tegenwoordig kun je hem spotten op whiskyfestivals waar hij weleens meehelpt op diverse stands.
Want to become a Whisky Monkey yourself? Then check out
our vacancy.