Not just drinks but people Monique Ten Kortenaar

Monique, Mo for most, has been a distiller for Lucas Bols and Wynand Fockink already for many years now. And just like her spirit, this mom/chemist/distiller/rock singer/whisky ambassador/entrepreneur/make-up artist/‘Nose’ is a blend of contradictions. 

OTENBA is the first step in her mission to link spirits, people and knowledge in the bar industry. Nothing new for you, right? ‘Cause when you have the slightest interest in drinks, you probably ran into Mo at one point as she befriended pretty much every bar in Amsterdam, and bars in other cities as well.

Currently based just outside of Amsterdam, she graduated from the city’s Chemical Laboratory Technique College. She then attended the University of Applied Sciences – Food and Beverages Technology in Den Bosch, while also working as a Food and Beverages Technologist.

Various courses were added after, a.o. Beer Brewing Technology and Sensory Science.

As the granddaughter of a perfumer, Monique has ‘tasting and smelling’ genes in her blood which have inspired her to pursue her career in food & beverage sciences.

Her 26 years of experience in various fields (from chemical analyst to flavourist assistant, product developer, sensory panel leader, quality manager to distiller) gave her an extensive knowledge about flavour and beverages/spirits.

That, combined with an incredible passion for the above, makes Monique of great value to our industry.