Ketel One Vodka 1.75L
Ketel One is produced by the Nolet family at their distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands, a business founded in 1691 by Joannes Nolet and now run by the eleventh generation. The Nolets built their reputation over three centuries primarily distilling genever for the Dutch market, but in 1983 Carolus Nolet Sr. drew on that inherited expertise to create Ketel One as a premium vodka for international markets. The name comes from Distilleerketel No. 1, the family's original copper pot still, which remains part of production today alongside modern equipment.
Ketel One is made entirely from European winter wheat, milled and mashed before undergoing an initial column distillation. A portion of that spirit is then redistilled in traditional coal-fired copper pot stills, a slower, small-batch process that removes sulfur compounds and adds textural complexity beyond what column distillation alone can achieve. The two streams are blended, filtered through loose charcoal, and rested in tile-lined tanks before each batch is personally signed off by a member of the Nolet family, a practice maintained since the brand's founding. The finished vodka is bottled at 40% ABV.
The nose is fresh and inviting, with delicate citrus zest and a trace of sweet honey. On the palate, the vodka is crisp with a lively zing, balanced by the silky, rounded texture that comes from its pot-still portion. The finish is long and refined, closing with gentle citrus and a whisper of spice.