The story behind World Wine & Whisky
The story of World Wine & Whisky doesn’t begin with a company — it begins with fascination.
As a young boy, I, Henrik Krijnen, became captivated by wine and whisky. Not the everyday bottles you find everywhere, but the rare, hard-to-find expressions from exclusive collections. Bottles with history, provenance and character. The kind of bottles you don’t just open, but listen to.
Of course, at that time I couldn’t afford them.
What I could afford, however, was knowledge.
Driven by curiosity and genuine passion, I immersed myself in learning. I followed various studies in wine and whisky, slowly building a deeper understanding of what makes a bottle truly special. My enthusiasm became impossible to ignore. Family and friends saw it early on and encouraged me to keep going, to take it seriously.
Gradually, my network began to grow. Offers started coming in from all over the world — opportunities to access beautiful, rare and sometimes once-in-a-lifetime collections.
A global journey through craftsmanship
My journey took me far beyond the Netherlands. I travelled extensively to Scotland, France, Spain, the United States and Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, China and South Korea. Along the way, I met extraordinary people — true masters of their craft.
Distillers who live by patience.
Winemakers obsessed with detail.
Collectors who understand that time is often the most important ingredient.
Those encounters shaped not only my taste, but my philosophy. They are also the reason behind the name World Wine & Whisky. It reflects a global perspective, rooted in respect for tradition, craftsmanship and authenticity.
And while whisky has always been a central pillar, my fascination naturally expanded. Over time, rare cognac, exceptional champagne and special, character-driven beers earned their place alongside whisky and wine. Each category shares the same foundation: quality, story and integrity.
From passion to profession
What started as an interest grew into a passion — and eventually became my profession.
My personal collection expanded, as did my international network. Together with family and close friends, I decided to take the next step and launch World Wine & Whisky. An online store not driven by volume or trends, but by knowledge, curation and trust.
Because knowledge is the key.
Since 2017, our webshop www.worldwinewhisky.com has been successfully operating online. Through our valued partnership with Wijnhandel De Ware Jacob, located in the heart of Amsterdam, customers also have the option to collect their orders there.
A new milestone: our boutique in Laren
In December 2024, we reached an important milestone with the opening of our first boutique in the beautiful and picturesque town of Laren (North Holland).
This space allows us to present our exclusive collection exactly as it deserves. From rare whisky and fine wine to exceptional cognac, champagne and carefully selected special beers — everything is displayed with attention and respect.
Laren is not only our boutique, but also our headquarters, something truly unique within our segment.
Customers may choose to:
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collect their order in our Laren boutique,
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collect their order at Wijnhandel De Ware Jacob in Amsterdam (collection point only),
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or opt for secure worldwide shipping.
Please note: our bottles are exclusively displayed in Laren.
Welcome to World Wine & Whisky
I look forward to welcoming you personally in our boutique in Laren.
Whether you are a seasoned collector, a passionate enthusiast, or simply curious — at World Wine & Whisky, everything revolves around quality, knowledge and experience.
And above all, respect for what’s in the bottle.
Henrik Krijnen
