S2 E45 Bols Master Distiller Monique ten Kortenaar

S2 E45 Bols Master Distiller Monique 

Bob Cutler interviews Monique ten Kortenaar, the Master Distiller at Lucas Bols, about the creation of Bols Blue 1575—a new liqueur celebrating the brand’s FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-YEAR legacy. Developed over more than a year, this limited-edition update to their popular blue curaçao adds depth with botanicals and Jamaican rum. The episode explores Monique’s journey, her cocktail preferences, and the role Bols plays in shaping cocktail culture across the globe.

Key Topics

The Craft of Distilling at Bols

Monique shares how her role involves not just production, but also research, innovation, and collaboration with the R&D team to continually refine and evolve Bols’ world-renowned liqueurs.

Creating a Modern Blue Curaçao with Depth

The development of Bols Blue 1575 highlights a deliberate move toward complexity, with added botanicals like cardamom and a touch of Jamaican rum bringing warmth and sophistication to a traditionally sweet category.

Women in Distilling Leadership

As the first female Master Distiller at Bols, Monique’s journey reflects both her expertise and the broader shift in the spirits industry toward recognizing and empowering talented women in roles once dominated by men.

Episode Index

1:08 – Monique explains her role as Master Distiller and how she became the first woman in that position at Bols.

3:40 – She reveals how Bols Blue 1575 builds on the original blue curaçao with botanicals like cardamom and Jamaican rum.

6:53 – The innovation process is a team effort, not a solo act—collaboration is key to developing new liqueurs.

8:14 – The recipe and design for the 1575 bottle took roughly a year and a half to complete.

10:27 – Monique prefers orange-based liqueurs like triple sec or the new blue for their versatility in cocktails.