The Chamberick Distillery

The Netherlands

"From journalism to an artisanal distillery in Kamerik"

Every so often, we stumble upon something truly special. Recently we came across a small distillery not too far west of our home base in Utrecht. An appointment was quickly made, and we soon found ourselves driving through a Dutch landscape of meadows, cows, ditches, and endless horizons, until we arrived on a quiet country road in Kamerik.

From journalist to distiller

Crossing a small bridge, stared at by some cows in the meadow, we arrived at a farm. A simple sign in the yard pointed us toward a narrow, unpaved path, leading us behind the farm. There we discovered another house and a charming old cowshed.

Inside this old stable is the domain of former journalist Laetitia de Hoog. Her dream once led her to plans of opening a campsite in France, but when that didn’t work out, another passion surfaced… whisky! Enjoying a good glass of whisky is one thing, but why not take it a step further and start making it yourself? And so, a new adventure began.

Starting a distillery in Kamerik

Laetitia had long been drawn to whisky and also to the rugged beauty of wild camping in the Scottish Highlands with its sometimes harsh weather conditions. Wondering what would truly make her happy, she came up with the idea of starting a small distillery in the Netherlands. Naturally, it had to be in the countryside, in an open landscape, fully exposed to wind and weather.

Laetitia and her family eventually found the perfect place, a historic farm in Kamerik, hence the name "The Chamberick. This land has been cultivated since the 17th century After laying a new foundation and a thorough renovation, the space was transformed into a warm, artisanal distillery. The boiler is wood-fired, demanding constant attention to keep the temperature just right. But that rich, smoky aroma filling the air is a reminder of the dedication behind every batch.

Distilling your own fruit

It does require patience if you want to distill exceptional liquor. After distillation, the real waiting begins. A proper single malt whisky must age for a minimum of three years before we can call it whisky. But in the meantime, the orchard in the backyard presented another opportunity. One that didn’t require quite as much time.

Drawing from three different apple varieties in the orchard, Laetitia crafted not Calvados, but Calvatres. This apple-based Eau de Vie was also aged in wood, adding depth to its character. She then turned to local pears, creating Happy New Pear, a bright and fruity Eau de Vie that has no barrel aging. Over time, The Chamberick’s range has expanded to include a Lumberjack gin and a selection of handcrafted liqueurs.

Dutch whisky from Kamerik

There’s nothing wrong with a good liqueur, and a fine Eau de Vie can be a real treat. But sometimes, you just want whisky. Laetitia knows this feeling all too well. She had already bottled a few small batches of The Immature Single Malt, a spirit still in its early stages, officially classified as ‘malt wine’ in proper Dutch. But while it wasn’t quite whisky yet, it offered something just as exciting: a chance to experience the evolution of a single malt in the making.

It was only in late 2024 that The Chamberick's first single malt whisky was released.  Double distilled and after two years in a former Bourbon cask, this whisky took on another layer of complexity, spending an additional year and a half in a cask that once held Banyuls, a rich French dessert wine. With only 460 bottles produced, this first release disappeared almost instantly. It will be interesting to see what’s maturing behind the scenes.

Guided tour and tasting The Chamberick

By now, you’re probably curious to see this small distillery up close. While you can’t just walk in unannounced,  you can book a guided tour and Laetitia herself will welcome small groups for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the distillery. And of course, no visit would be complete without a tasting session. To secure your spot, be sure to make a reservation in advance. For details and booking options, visit The Chamberick’s website.

Updated: 11-04-2025