Royal Dutch Distillers announces the U.S. launch of Rutte, the smallest distillery in Holland, at Tales of The Cocktail in New Orleans.From the historic port city of Dordrecht in The Netherlands to the banks of the Mississippi River, Rutte (ROOT-eh) will make it’s U.S. debut on Friday, July 17th with an intimate, educational talk lead by Rutte Master Distiller Myriam Hendrickx. Myriam will delve into the deep history and heritage of the brand and lead an in-depth tasting of Rutte’s unique spirits launching in the U.S.: Dry Gin, Celery Dry Gin (WSWA 2015 Double Gold and Best of Show), Old Simon Genever (WSWA 2015 Double Gold) and Vodka. After the tasting guests will be treated to handcrafted cocktails created by Rutte brand ambassadors The Bon Vivants, paired with traditional Dutch cuisine. The following day, Rutte will host a Dynamic Duos happy hour featuring The Bon Vivants with cocktails and spirits writer Camper English – a finalist this year for the Spirited Award for Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer.
Rutte is the result of seven generations of Rutte fathers meticulously teaching their sons the art of distilling, always with a passion for craft. The Dutch brand produces small-batch, handmade gins, genevers, and vodka in the same backroom that founder Simon Rutte used to distill his own concoctions back in 1872. Simon, with access to exotic spices and fruits from the Dutch East Indies, put them to good use in the still. Soon his potions were so coveted that he converted the family’s café out front into a liquor store. Thus, Rutte was born.
Not much has changed in 143 years. Rutte was small-batch long before it was a catchword, and they have proudly chosen to stay that way. Ingredients, too, are a passion. The artisanal spirits are 100-percent natural, using only fruits, botanicals and nuts. Rutte never uses any artificial colors or flavors. The brand is also committed to careful sourcing, using goods such as cinnamon from Sri Lanka and juniper berries from Italy. The recipes have been guarded and passed down for seven generations, refined and tailored for today’s audience. In 2011 Rutte joined De Kuyper Royal Distillers, an 11-generation family business with the same commitment to craftsmanship and heritage.
“It is an honor for my family to introduce these unique handmade spirits to the United States,” says Marc De Kuyper, brand owner and president of the family’s Miami-based craft spirits division, Royal Dutch Distillers. “Rutte has been distilling spirits for seven generations, with recipes faithfully handed down from one generation to the next, using only natural ingredients and the very same methods used by founding father Simon Rutte,” De Kuyper adds. “As an 11th generation family member of our family business, I share the same respect for the old traditions and look forward to building on Rutte’s foundation and legacy to steer the brand into it’s next seven generations of existence.”
Find out more on Facebook at www.fb.com/ruttedistillery and on Instagram & Twitter: @Rutte_US
