A cheese attic in Amsterdam, ready for a tasting. This one takes you into Henri Willig Kaas for a small-group cheese and drink pairing session, run in English near the Tuschinski Theater.

I love the sheer variety of Gouda you get in about an hour, and I love that the pairing is flexible since you can choose your two drinks from beer, wine, or juice. You will also get the behind-the-scenes Henri Willig story and a short film on cheesemaking.

One thing to consider: the format includes story and video time, so if you want a pure, fast sampling session, you might find the pacing a bit heavy. And you only receive 2 drinks total, so pick your favorites.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• 10 Gouda pieces to taste, with different flavors and milk types
• 3 dips and mustard plus crackers to connect the bites
• Two included drinks chosen from beer, white or red wine, port, and apple or orange juice
• Henri Willig backstory with a small film about the cheesemaking process
• Small group, up to 30 for a more personal feel
• 10% store discount after the tasting if you want to take Holland home

Reguliersbreestraat’s Cheese Attic, Right Next to the Theater

This tasting happens in the heart of Amsterdam, starting at Reguliersbreestraat 24 (1017 CN), not far from the Tuschinski Theater. You’ll head into a cheese shop attic setting, which already tells you what kind of experience this is: focused, cozy, and built around small bites rather than a big show.

The “premium” part here is practical. You’re not just getting a random sample plate. You get a guided session tied to a single brand story, plus a built-in way to compare cheeses and pair them with a drink you actually like. That structure matters in a city full of food stops, because it turns tasting into learning.

And the group size ceiling helps. With a maximum of 30 people, you’re more likely to follow the guide’s flow and ask questions without feeling lost in a crowd. You also get an English presentation, and confirmation comes at booking time.

What You Actually Taste: 10 Gouda Pieces Plus Dips and Mustard

Here’s the core of the experience: you get 10 different pieces of cheese. They are described as Gouda varieties with different flavors and milk types. That sounds straightforward, but the value is in how many you can compare back-to-back in one sitting. It’s an efficient way to understand what you enjoy and what you want to buy later.

Your tasting also includes 3 dips and mustard, plus crackers. That matters because dips and condiments are part of how many people in the Netherlands enjoy cheese. Even if you prefer eating cheese plain, the dips help you notice texture, salt level, and how sweetness or tang from mustard changes the flavor.

A lot of the best feedback centers on how generous the portions feel for the price, and how the tastings are set up so you can sample a “range” rather than one or two favorites. If you’re the kind of person who likes to shop with confidence, this is the kind of session that helps you narrow down which cheeses match your tastes.

Stop 1: Henri Willig Kaas, and the Flow of the Attic Tasting

The entire tour is essentially one stop: Henri Willig Kaas. You start at Reguliersbreestraat, then settle into the tasting area next to the theater. From there, your host guides you through the presentation.

What the session looks like, step by step:

• The host introduces Henri Willig and the family story.
• A short film covers the cheesemaking process.
• Then you move into the tasting portion, where you sample multiple cheeses in a guided order.
• You pair bites with your included drink choices, with dips and mustard coming along for the ride.
• You finish back at the meeting point.

One practical note: the session is designed around explanation plus tasting, not just tasting alone. That’s great if you enjoy context. It can feel long if you’re only there for flavor, but most people seem to find the host keeps it fun and moving.

If you’re wondering about who leads the group, past sessions have been guided by hosts including Suzanne, Serge, and Quinton. The consistent theme in feedback is that the host brings energy and story to the room, which makes the learning feel less like a lecture.

Beer and Wine Pairing: How to Choose Your Two Drinks

You get 2 drinks included, and you choose them from a menu that includes local beer, white wine, red wine, port wine, apple juice, or orange juice. The key word is choose. This isn’t unlimited sipping, and it isn’t a full beer flight or wine flight.

To get the most value, I’d think about pairing based on what you usually like:

• If you like crisp and refreshing drinks, go for the local beer or white wine.
• If you want richer flavors alongside aged cheese, red wine or port may fit better.
• If you prefer a non-alcoholic pairing, apple or orange juice can still give you a fruit contrast to cut through salt and fat.

Some people loved the drinks pairing, saying the wine really matched the cheese. Others pointed out that you only get two drink selections, so be intentional. If port is your thing, pick it. If beer is your thing, stick with beer. Don’t plan to sample everything in the moment, because the session is built around two included choices.

The Henri Willig Story and the Film: Great for Context, Watch the Pace

The tour includes the full story of Henri Willig and a small film about cheesemaking. For many food lovers, this is the part that makes the tasting feel meaningful. You’re not just chasing flavors, you’re learning why different Gouda styles taste the way they do.

Still, there’s a reality check. Some feedback mentions that the film can be harder to view due to light behind the screen, and a different comment notes the presenter spoke fast enough that it was hard to keep up. Those are not deal-breakers, but they are worth knowing.

My practical takeaway: arrive ready to focus on the tasting even while the story plays out. If the film is tough to see from where you sit, you can still get the gist from the guide’s explanations, and then the cheese bites will do the heavy lifting for your palate.

Also, one review felt like there was more explanation than tasting. That can happen in any food education format. The good news is that your tasting is still built around 10 cheese samples, so you’re not left with only small talk.

Value Math: Is a $27.14 Cheese Tasting Worth It?

At $27.14 per person, the value is strongest when you look at what’s included:

• 10 cheese pieces
• 3 dips and mustard with crackers
• 2 drinks
• A guide-led story plus a film
• A 10% discount in the store afterward

That’s a lot packed into roughly one hour. In Amsterdam, food experiences range from casual to pricey, so the question is whether you’d otherwise pay for tastings plus drinks plus education separately. Here, it’s all bundled into one guided hour.

The 10% store discount is the extra kicker. If you find two or three cheeses you truly love, you can turn the tasting into a buying plan. It’s one thing to taste cheese in a tour setting. It’s another to know what to purchase with confidence.

The 10% Store Discount: Spend It Like a Smart Cheese Shopper

When the tasting ends, you receive a 10% discount in the store. This is where the experience can pay you back beyond the one-hour session.

Here’s how to make the discount work for you:

• Pick your top 2 or 3 cheeses during the tasting, not just the one you liked most.
• Consider bringing back cheese you can realistically transport and enjoy before it changes too much.
• Use the dips and mustard section as a clue for your pairing preferences. If you liked a cheese specifically with mustard, you may enjoy that combo at home.

One more reason this matters: many people leave with the feeling that they can taste their way through options without wasting money on the wrong wheel or block. That ability to choose confidently is real value, even if you don’t buy much.

Practical Tips Before You Go

A few small details make the experience smoother:

• Go in hungry enough to enjoy bites, but not so hungry that you rush. The session flows through different pieces, and you’ll get more out of it if you can taste carefully.
• Decide your drink choice in your head before the guide starts asking. You only get two drinks included, so have your preferences ready.
• Wear something comfortable. You’ll be in a seated tasting area for close to an hour, plus you’ll listen during the story and film segment.
• If you have dietary needs, you should advise specific dietary requirements at booking. Don’t wait until the day of if you can help it.

Also, the tour uses a mobile ticket and runs in English. It’s near public transportation, which is helpful because Amsterdam can be easier on foot, but you’ll still want an easy way to get there.

If you travel with a service animal, it’s allowed. That’s worth noting because it’s not always standard across small food experiences.

Who This Amsterdam Cheese Tasting Suits Best

This is an excellent match for:

• Cheese lovers who want a focused tasting without wandering shop to shop
• People who enjoy food history and cheesemaking basics, not just sampling
• Travelers who want a simple “buy or don’t buy” plan afterward, thanks to the store discount

It may be less ideal for you if:

• You only want drinks and a fast pace, since the format includes story and film time and you get two drinks total
• You prefer purely self-guided tasting, because this is very much a guided learning session

If you’re visiting Amsterdam and want one high-quality food stop that feels local and specific to Dutch cheese culture, this hits that sweet spot. It’s also a fun choice for couples or small groups because the guided format keeps the experience lively but not chaotic.

Should You Book This Premium Cheese Tasting?

I’d book it if you want a structured Amsterdam food experience that gives you real comparisons. Ten Gouda samples, plus dips, mustard, and two drink choices, is a lot for the price, and the Henri Willig story makes it more than just a snack.

I’d hesitate only if you dislike guided sessions where some time goes to explanation and video. If that’s your style, you might feel the pacing more than the cheese.

If you love cheese and want a memorable, no-stress hour in the city center, this is a smart bet. And if you fall for a few cheeses, the 10% store discount gives you a clear next step.

FAQ

How long is the Henri Willig cheese tasting?

The tasting lasts about 1 hour.

How many cheeses do I get to sample?

You get 10 pieces of different Gouda cheeses.

What drinks are included?

Two drinks are included. You can choose from local beer, white or red wine, port wine, apple juice, or orange juice.

Are the drinks unlimited?

No. The experience includes 2 drinks, and unlimited drinks and food are not included.

Is there a discount after the tasting?

Yes. You receive a 10% discount in the store.

Is the tour group size limited?

Yes. The maximum group size is 30 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you will not be refunded.