What is Viex?
Contrary to what the name might suggest, vieux is, like jenever, a typically Dutch drink.
It originated as a surrogate for the expensive French cognac, although vieux and cognac are hardly similar.
Until the 1960s, vieux was also called Dutch cognac or Koetsierscognac.
Where does the name Viex come from?
When cognac became a protected designation of origin, Dutch cognac was renamed vieux (French for 'old').
This name still exuded some French allure and referred to the long maturation process that a good and old cognac must go through.
How is Viex made?
Cognac is made from distilled wine. Vieux, on the other hand, consists of neutral grain or molasses alcohol.
This is flavoured with various extracts, essences and a small amount of real cognac or another wine distillate.
The brown colour of vieux comes from caramel or another colouring agent.
Viex contains at least 35% alcohol and can be drunk neat or in a mix.