Amsterdam: Premium Henri Willig Cheese Tasting Experience

Dutch cheese tasting is at its best when it goes beyond a cube of supermarket Gouda. This 40-minute to one-hour session introduces you to several Henri Willig cheeses, shows how Dutch cheese is made, and explains why the same basic food can taste so different with mustard, dips, milk types, and age.

I especially like two things here: the generous tasting board, with 10 cheese pieces rather than a token nibble, and the personal family story behind Henri Willig. Guides such as Martin, Suzanne, Heloise, Ado, and Quinten have been praised for making the presentation lively rather than stiff. The main thing to watch is the venue setup. The meeting point can vary, stairs may lead to the tasting room, and one booking report described a problem with an incorrect time and a Tuesday closure, so check your confirmation carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Ten cheese pieces, several styles: You taste different Gouda cheeses made with varied flavors and milk types, not just one standard cheese.
• Three accompaniments: Dips and mustard show how a sharp, sweet, or savory partner can change the cheese.
• Two drinks included: Options can include wine or beer, with some tastings also featuring port.
• A short film adds context: You see the Dutch cheesemaking process before the host explains the family business.
• A useful shop discount: The 10% reduction applies to purchases after the tasting, including cheese to take home or arrange for international shipping.
• Small groups can be special: Some sessions are intimate, while others are larger, so the social feel depends on the time you choose.

Why this Amsterdam cheese tasting works

Henri Willig is a family-run Dutch cheese business, and the tasting puts that family connection at the center. You learn about Henri, his relatives, and how the company grew from a farm-based operation into a well-known cheese producer with shops in Amsterdam and elsewhere.

That personal thread gives the food a reason to matter. You are not simply sampling products from a display case. You are hearing how the family approaches cheesemaking and how different cheeses fit into the wider Dutch food tradition.

I like this format for an Amsterdam break because it is short enough to fit between major sights. It also gives you somewhere warm and seated to spend part of an afternoon, which can be welcome after walking beside the canals.

The English-speaking host leads the session, and the style appears to be informal. Guides are expected to explain the cheese, answer questions, and keep the group moving. Martin, Suzanne, Sjors, Mustaffah, Sergei, Heloise, and others have each been singled out for humor, warmth, or clear explanations.

That matters because a cheese tasting can easily become a dry lecture. Here, the best guides turn each sample into a small conversation. You can ask why one cheese is sweeter, why another is stronger, or which one is best suited to take home.

Entering the Henri Willig shop in old Amsterdam

The tasting takes place at a Henri Willig location in the heart of old Amsterdam. Your exact meeting point depends on the option booked, so do not rely only on a general map pin. Read the booking instructions and confirm the address before setting off.

The shop itself is part of the appeal. You begin in a retail setting filled with Dutch cheeses and related products, then move into the tasting area. One account describes a charming upstairs room, while another notes stairs leading to the venue. This is worth taking seriously if you have mobility limits.

The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. The information does not describe an accessible route, lift, or step-free alternative, so ask before booking if stairs could be a problem.

Some people may be offered samples in the shop before the formal tasting begins, but you should not count on this as part of the advertised package. The structured tasting includes the cheese, accompaniments, drinks, crackers, and water.

The short film and the Dutch cheesemaking story

The presentation begins with the story of Henri Willig and his family. A short film then shows the Dutch cheesemaking process, giving you a visual outline before the host discusses what is on your plate.

The film may be in Dutch with English subtitles. Other language versions may also be available, but English is the stated language for the host and activity. If you prefer spoken English throughout, the host’s explanation is the part to focus on.

This section is brief, yet useful. Cheese production has several stages that are easy to miss when you only see the finished wheel in a shop. The film helps connect the farm and production story to the cheese in front of you.

I also like that the background does not take over the whole event. The tasting is designed to last 40 minutes to an hour, so the history works as a frame for the food rather than a long museum-style talk.

Ten pieces of Gouda, with more variety than the name suggests

The tasting includes 10 pieces of different Gouda cheeses. The exact mix can vary, and some descriptions refer to roughly seven types, while the main details describe five different kinds. The safest expectation is 10 tasting pieces representing a selection of Gouda styles, not ten entirely separate large wedges.

The point is comparison. You may notice changes in texture, salt, sweetness, sharpness, or the character of the milk. The selection can include cheeses made from different milk types, and the activity gives you a chance to try sheep cheese as well as more familiar cow’s milk varieties.

You are guided through each sample rather than left to guess. The host explains what makes the cheeses different and suggests ways to pair them. That turns a casual snack into a useful lesson in tasting.

Portions have generally been described as generous. You should leave with a clear sense of which styles you prefer, though this is still a tasting rather than a full meal. If you arrive hungry, the cheese will help, but you may want to plan lunch or dinner separately.

The cheese is the strongest reason to book. Even people who already know Dutch Gouda can use the session to compare styles they might otherwise pass over in a shop.

Dips, mustard, crackers, and the art of pairing

Three dip sauces and mustard accompany the cheese, along with crackers and water. These extras are not filler. A mild cheese can seem sweeter with one dip, while a stronger cheese may work better with mustard or a sharper accompaniment.

The host explains how to pair the samples, so try the cheese plain first. Then add a small amount of the dip and taste it again. This simple comparison shows how much the accompaniment affects your impression.

Crackers provide a practical base between samples, though one person wished for more of them compared with the generous cheese portions. If you are sensitive to gluten, raise the issue when you arrive. One family received a separate cheese board for a child with celiac disease, with care taken to keep the cheese away from crackers.

That example suggests staff may be able to help with dietary needs, but the supplied details do not promise a fixed allergen-free menu. Tell the staff in advance and confirm what is safe for you.

Two drinks, from wine and beer to port

Two drinks are included. Depending on the session, choices may include wine or beer, and port has also been used as a pairing. Some people especially enjoy matching port with different cheeses, while others recommend the Whey Triple beer.

The drink element adds value at this price, especially because you are not limited to a small splash of wine. Reports describe full-sized drinks and a relaxed pace, although the exact choices may change.

I would treat the drinks as pairings rather than the main event. The cheese is explained first, and the alcohol works best when you taste it thoughtfully with the samples. If you do not drink alcohol, confirm the available alternatives before booking, since the general details only promise two drinks and water.

The setting is social, but the tone is not formal. You may share a table with a small handful of people, or you may find a fuller sitting. Smaller groups allow more questions and can feel almost private, while a larger group may bring more energy.

The guides make the difference

The host is central to the quality of this tasting. A clear guide can make the differences between cheeses easy to grasp, while a flat presentation would leave you with little more than a plate of samples.

Martin has been praised for explaining the making process, answering questions, and helping people choose cheeses afterward. Suzanne has been described as personal and warm, and Ado was paired with her in one especially well-liked tasting. Heloise, Quinten, Sjors, Mustaffah, and Sergei have also led sessions.

The names matter less than the pattern: staff are expected to know the products and tell the family story with some humor. One guide even offered extra samples after the formal tasting when the group had discussed particular cheeses.

You should have a chance to ask questions, especially in a smaller sitting. If you want a quieter, more personal session, an off-peak time may give you a better chance of a small group, although group size is not guaranteed.

Buying cheese after the tasting

At the end, you receive 10% off purchases in the Henri Willig shop. This is a real part of the value, not just a sales pitch, because the tasting helps you decide what you actually like.

I recommend waiting until after the tasting before buying. You can compare the cheeses, note your favorites, and ask the staff how each one travels or keeps. Several people have bought cheese immediately after the session, helped by the guide’s suggestions.

There is no reported pressure to purchase. You can enjoy the tasting and leave with nothing, or use the discount for a few carefully chosen pieces instead of grabbing a random souvenir.

If you are flying or crossing a border, check the current food import rules before buying. One United Kingdom-based visitor noted that restrictions made bringing cheese home difficult at that time. International shipping may be available, and one shop can provide a card for future orders, but confirm the current arrangements directly.

The discount becomes especially useful if you already planned to buy Dutch cheese. At $21 per person, the activity is reasonably priced even without a purchase, since you receive 10 cheese pieces, accompaniments, two drinks, a film, and a guided presentation.

Is $21 good value for an hour?

For $21, I consider this a solid value if you like cheese and want more than a quick shop sample. You receive enough food to compare several styles, plus drinks and a guided explanation in a central Amsterdam setting.

The value is less clear if you do not enjoy dairy or prefer a long farm visit. This is not a full-day countryside tour, a hands-on cheesemaking workshop, or a meal. It is a compact tasting in or near a city shop.

The 10% discount can improve the deal, but only if you planned to buy something. Do not book solely for the discount. Book because the tasting itself gives you a better way to understand Dutch cheese, then treat the shop saving as a bonus.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 1,106 ratings, and the strongest themes are consistent: delicious cheese, generous portions, engaging guides, and useful explanations. There is also one practical warning about a booking time mismatch and a location that did not offer tastings on Tuesdays. That problem was linked to the booking arrangement rather than the farm, but it still means you should verify your time and day.

Who should book this tasting?

I would recommend it to cheese lovers, couples, families, and anyone looking for a relaxed indoor activity in Amsterdam. It also works well for a mixed-age group because the tasting is short and the host can keep the discussion light.

It suits you particularly well if:

• You want to learn how Dutch cheese differs by style and milk type.
• You plan to buy cheese but need help choosing.
• You enjoy wine, beer, or port with food.
• You prefer a compact activity that fits around canal walks and museums.
• You like family-run businesses and personal storytelling.

I would think twice if you have serious mobility limits, need a guaranteed step-free venue, or want a full production tour at a farm. I would also check dietary details in advance if you cannot eat standard crackers or need strict separation from gluten.

Final verdict: Book it if you want an edible lesson in Dutch cheese

I would book the Henri Willig tasting if cheese is on your Amsterdam list. The combination of 10 samples, three accompaniments, two drinks, a short film, and a family story gives you more substance than a quick retail tasting, while the 40-minute to one-hour length keeps it easy to fit into a busy day.

Choose a time carefully, confirm the meeting point, and be prepared for stairs. Then arrive ready to taste the cheese plain, try each pairing, and use the 10% discount only for the styles you genuinely prefer.

FAQ

How long does the Henri Willig cheese tasting last?

The tasting lasts between 40 minutes and one hour, depending on the session.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $21 per person.

How many cheeses do I taste?

The tasting includes 10 pieces of different Gouda cheeses. The exact selection may vary, and the cheeses can represent different flavors and milk types.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Two drinks are included, along with water. Available choices can include wine or beer, and port has also been served during tastings.

What food is served with the cheese?

You receive three dip sauces, mustard, cheese crackers, and water alongside the cheese samples.

Is the tasting conducted in English?

Yes. The host or greeter conducts the activity in English.

Is there a film about cheesemaking?

Yes. A short film shows the Dutch cheesemaking process. It may be in Dutch with English subtitles, and other language versions may also be available.

Do I receive a discount after the tasting?

Yes. You receive 10% off purchases in the Henri Willig store after the tasting.

Can I cancel the activity for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tasting suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Stairs may lead to the tasting venue, and the meeting point can vary by booking option.