FIRST JOURNEYS - EUROPEAN EXPEDITION- PIN 39(stop1) OF 40
FILLIERS GIN - Belgium
A ROAD TRIP WHERE EVERY STOP HAS A STORY
This is going to be my penultimate stop on my #virtualeuropeangintour and it would be remiss of me not to visit one of Belgium’s most historic distilling families. Located in East Flanders, Filliers Distillery has been producing spirits for more than five generations and remains one of Belgium’s best-known names in genever, whisky and gin.
The Filliers story began with farming, but the family’s connection with distilling started much earlier. In 1792, Karel Lodewijk Filliers was born into the family and developed a passion for genever, experimenting with distillation using leftover grain from the farm. What began as a hobby eventually became the family business, with the first official distillery established in 1880.
Still located on the original family site, the distillery has evolved over the years, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Filliers remains one of the few Belgian distilleries producing its own grain malt for genever, and the family continues to focus on innovation while reducing waste and improving sustainability throughout the production process.
Filliers Dry Gin 28 is based on an authentic recipe created by Firmin Filliers in 1928. The recipe was later reworked and relaunched in 2012, bringing this historic gin back to a new generation. The “28” refers to the number of botanicals used, including Belgian hops, alongside more traditional gin ingredients.
This is a classic style of gin, with juniper at its heart but with a gentle sweetness from the botanicals. Bottled at 46% ABV, it has plenty of character but remains surprisingly smooth, with a dry finish.
The apothecary-style bottle and elegant calligraphy reflect its heritage, but for me the real star is the stopper, with its vintage-inspired Filliers logo — a small detail that gives the bottle a wonderfully traditional feel.
Belgium has given us genever, world-famous beer and some of the finest chocolate, so this felt like the only possible way to finish this stop!
“Five generations, 28 botanicals and a Belgian distilling dynasty built on genever.”
Belgian Chocolate Gin Cocktail
50ml Filliers Dry Gin 28
25ml Mozart Chocolate Liqueur
A splash of cream
Shaken with ice, then dusted with cocoa powder and finished with a Guylian chocolate seashell garnish — because a Belgian gin cocktail without chocolate just didn’t seem right!
"Show me a bottle and I’ll tell you a story."