Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store

Sint Maarten

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Converter

We found this unique Dutch cheese and liquor store on our second visit to Sint Maarten.

It was wall-to-wall Gouda - but not like anything we had ever seen before.

Even though we are Foodies, we were quite ignorant about the varieties of Gouda being offered on this island with a Dutch past.

Gouda (pronounced "HOW-da" in Dutch) is a semi-hard cheese named after the city of Gouda in South Holland. This cheese has been made since at least the 12th century, and the city of Gouda became a major trading hub for it by the Middle Ages.

Dutch settlers likely brought cheese-making traditions to Sint Maarten centuries ago, but the island’s tropical climate made local production impractical.

Come take a look at this amazing store offering its taste of history.

The storefront of Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor

Gouda is not able to be processed here on the island, so the store imports directly from the Netherlands.  

This trade connection echoes Sint Maarten’s history as a trading hub, from its pirate days to its modern duty-free status.

Specializing in Dutch cheeses, this store offers varieties like Edam, Gouda, and the award-winning Old Amsterdam, along with flavored options such as pesto, garlic, cumin, herbs, pepper, truffle, and smoked cheeses.

Just a short walk from the cruise ship port, it's a convenient stop for cruising tourists who are exploring Philipsburg’s shopping district.

A little bit of cheesy humor

Fortunately for us, samples of their most popular cheeses were offered right as we walked in the door. One of the employees brightly encouraged us to try a bite, and this made for an unanticipated positive response.

Sure. We all know about Gouda - the kind we make grilled cheese sandwiches out of, or the addition to a cheese plate that is sure to not offend anyone with its mild flavor.

But these cheeses were aged, or buttery or herbed or...

And the world of Gouda was opened to us.

Gouda is made from cow's milk

 A cheese made from cow’s milk, the process involves heating the milk, adding rennet to form curds, pressing them into molds, and brining the wheels to develop the rind.

Gouda accounts for about 60% of the Netherlands’ cheese production, and while it’s a protected name in the EU (only cheese made in the Netherlands can be called Gouda), similar styles are produced worldwide.

Friendly staff help customers with their orders

A very Dutch photo of a tulip farm is placed behind the cashier's area.

One of the highlights of this store is their wine and cheese pairing events, available upon request for groups as small as two people.

It's a 50-minute session that costs $25 per person - which seems reasonable enough - and includes tastings of five Dutch cheeses paired with two wines (or another beverage).

This offers an engaging and educational experience, as the staff is known for being knowledgeable and friendly.

If you are shopping, the staff is known to offer free samples of cheeses and liquors to help you decide.

Cheeses are vacuum-packed for travel, lasting up to six weeks without refrigeration, which is practical for tourists taking them home.

Every little spot on the shelf is filled with flavor or something reflecting Dutch culture

To make the most of your shopping experience, we would suggest walking slowly and mindfully through the store. It's easy to overlook something irresistible because you have just spotted something else that was irresistible! 

Gouda’s flavor and texture change dramatically as it ages, which is one reason for its variety.

Young Gouda - which is considered to be from 4 weeks to 3 months - is mild, creamy, and soft, and has a buttery, slightly sweet taste. This is often used for melting in sandwiches.

Mild Gouda - which is about 3–6 months is still soft but with a bit more firmness, developing a subtle nutty flavor with a hint of caramel. This is the type you will often find in supermarkets.

Mature Gouda - which is about 6–12 months is firmer, with a deeper yellow color and a more pronounced nutty, caramel-like taste. Small crunchy tyrosine crystals start to form, adding texture.

Old Gouda - between 12–18 months is hard and crumbly, with a dark golden hue. The flavor is intense—sharp, savory, and toffee-like, with more crystals. This is often enjoyed on its own or with a glass of wine.

Then there is Very Old Gouda - from 18+ months, up to 4 years which is extremely hard, almost brittle, with a deep amber color. It’s complex, with bold, sharp, and slightly spicy notes, often paired with whiskey or port.

The Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store likely stocks this for their pairing events, as it complements their wine selection.

High quality and good selection

The Dutch Cheese shop and Liquor Store stocks a wide range of liquors, including cognacs, bourbons, whiskeys, gins, rums, vodkas, and wines from regions like France, Italy, South America, and the U.S.

Local products are available too, such as Guavaberry rum, homemade Ti-Punch, and confiture.

Wrapped rounds of Gouda

This store offers diverse Gouda flavors and caters to visitors looking for an authentic Dutch experience. The store’s vacuum-packing their cheeses especially for travel also makes it practical for cruise passengers to bring Gouda home, a nod to Sint Maarten’s role as a transit point.

While some may think the Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store has bent to commercialization, it's a very popular place. Both the employees and the customers are pleased with the arrangement.

Showing a selection of Gouda flavors

The flavored Goudas at the store—like cumin, pesto, or truffle—are made by mixing ingredients into the curds before pressing. For example, cumin seeds are a traditional Dutch addition giving it a warm, earthy taste. Truffle Gouda, a more modern invention, adds shaved black truffle for a luxurious, aromatic kick, which pairs well with the wines offered in the store’s tasting events.

There there are pesto goudas, garlic goudas, smoked goudas plus other herbal type of flavors like rosemary, thyme and nettles.

There is something for everyone. 

Creamed Gouda Cheeses

I have never had a creamed Gouda cheese, nor a goat milk version.

These choices give lots of opportunities to enhance a party or happy hour tray.

Mushroom-truffle and green pesto varieties

There are raw milk Goudas also. This raw milk gives the cheese a deeper, more complex flavor because the milk’s natural bacteria aren’t killed off by pasteurization.

It’s a traditional method that’s been used for centuries in the Netherlands, and tourists often find it more “authentic” during tastings.

More Goudas, more Goudas, more Goudas

Everywhere you look there are rounds, tubes, wedges, boxes and gift boxes of Goudas.

Gouda cheese is a traditional pairing with mustards and there is always something new to try.

Row after row after row

As I mentioned earlier, we didn't know there were so many styles and flavors of Gouda cheese to try.

We ended up buying some for friends on our future visit to Nevis, West Indies, some to eat while on the island of Sint Maarten and some to take home!

Old Amsterdam

For me, this was the most surprising one of them all.

Deep flavored and absolutely addictive, it doesn't take much to have your mouth burst with flavor.

Old Amsterdam has won many awards in blind cheese tastings. Over 200 chefs and sommeliers who blind-tasted thousands of products, evaluating flavor, aroma, and texture called this one out.

It was awarded a 2-star Superior Taste Award by the International Taste Institute.

Would we recommend that you make a visit to Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store?

It's an absolute must.

__________

Located at Emmaplein #1, next to Jump Up Casino

The store is open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, fitting well with cruise ship schedules and tourist itineraries.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

HOME   Book Store

Retire Early Lifestyle Blog      About Billy & Akaisha Kaderli      Press     Contact     20 Questions     Preferred Links    

Retirement     Country Info     Retiree Interviews      Commentary     REL Videos