By The Dutch
Indonesia is considered the birthplace of sugarcane , cultivated on the archipelago for over 4,000 years . It was therefore natural that a spirit born from this agricultural wealth would emerge: Batavia Arrack , literally "alcohol from Batavia," the former name of Jakarta . Heir to a long local tradition, this ancestor of rum possesses a unique identity. Its distinctiveness lies particularly in its fermentation , carried out with red rice yeast , which gives it a unique aromatic profile, both complex and exotic.
It is this heritage that the Dutch brand By the Dutch has chosen to revive. Founded in 2015 in the Netherlands , the company's mission is to promote artisanal spirits from the Dutch heritage on an international scale. Inspired by the Netherlands' major role in the global trade of spices and alcohols since the 17th century, it reinterprets historical recipes with a modern and refined approach.
While Batavia Arrack is produced in Indonesia, its aging process takes place in Amsterdam —a deliberate nod to Dutch maritime and commercial history, and to the very identity of the brand ("Dutch" meaning "Netherlands"). Several versions, white or aged, are now available, alongside other iconic creations.
Indeed, By the Dutch is not limited to Batavia Arrack. The company acts as a bottler and collaborates with partner distilleries to produce Old Genever, a Dry Gin from Schiedam , and various bitters designed to enhance cocktails. The objective is clear: to produce "Spirits with a Dutch Heritage," spirits rooted in Dutch tradition while meeting contemporary quality standards.
The brand also stands out for its strong visual identity. The bottles feature a vintage and informative design: each label details the origin, production methods, and even suggests tasting ideas. The rope tied around the neck evokes the great Dutch merchant fleets, recalling the golden age of maritime trade and the rise of spirits worldwide.
Behind this project is Jos Zonneveld , a former law student in Amsterdam. After initial experience in the wine industry and then in online spirits sales, he observed that Dutch spirits are often underrepresented on the international stage. He then decided to create By the Dutch in 2015 and launched his first genever in collaboration with the Herman Jansen Distillery. By 2016, the young company was receiving its first awards, confirming the relevance of its market positioning.
