Ketel 1
The genever of the Nolet family from Schiedam, and the vodka that made it world-famous. Everything about the taste, the types, the kopstoot and the glass that goes with it.
From Schiedam's oldest still
Ketel 1 is Nolet's genever, from the family distillery in Schiedam, which has existed since 1691 and is still run by the family. The name refers to Distilleerketel #1, the distillery's oldest working copper pot still. Ketel 1 Young Genever is a smooth, grainy 35% genever with a light touch of juniper and herbs, and has been the best-selling genever in the Netherlands for years.
The same family made Ketel One Vodka in 1983, a 40% wheat vodka that grew into one of the most popular premium vodkas in the world in America and has been sold in a joint venture with Diageo since 2008. In the Netherlands, 'Ketel 1' primarily refers to the genever; in addition, there are the Signature Blend (wood-aged, 38.4%) and ready-to-drink Hard Lemonades.
In brief
What types of Ketel 1 are there?
Ketel 1 Young Genever
The one-litre bottle found in every Dutch pub. Smooth, fresh and lightly spicy: neat from the freezer or mixed.
Ketel 1 Young Genever 70 cl
The same genever in the smaller bottle. Convenient for the home bar or as a gift.
Ketel 1 Signature Blend
'This is not a whisky': a blend with a core of wood-aged grain distillate, juniper and herbs. Rounded, warm and almost whisky-like.
Signature Blend Rum Cask Finish
The Signature Blend finished in three ex-rum casks from the Caribbean. Nutmeg, dried apricot and spices.
Ketel One Vodka
The world-famous wheat vodka from the same family. Fresh, silky smooth and lightly citrusy, made for cocktails.
Ketel 1 3 litre
The large bottle for the pub, clubhouse or a big party. With a pourer, it is an eye-catcher on the bar.
For drinks: Young Genever. For neat drinking and cocktails: Signature Blend or Ketel One Vodka.
Smooth, clean and lightly juniper-forward
Grain & juniper
Fresh and clean, with a light touch of juniper, citrus and fresh grain. Hardly any alcohol heat.
Smooth and round
Remarkably smooth for a young genever: lightly grain-sweet, with fine spice and a fresh finish.
Short and clean
A short, dry finish that invites another glass. The Signature Blend is warmer and longer, with oak.
Flavour profile of ice-cold Ketel 1 Young Genever. The Signature Blend scores higher on spice and intensity, while Ketel One Vodka is more neutral and fresher.
Three ways to drink Ketel 1
Young genever is drunk ice-cold from a glass filled to the brim. The Signature Blend deserves a tumbler and room temperature.
Ice-cold neat
Place the bottle in the freezer and fill a shot glass to the brim. Bend forward for the first sip without lifting the glass. That is how it is done in Schiedam.
Glass: shot glass →Kopstoot
A shot glass of ice-cold Ketel 1 next to a small glass of pilsner. The genever first, then the beer, or alternating between the two. The quintessential Dutch classic.
Go to the recipe →Ketel 1 with ginger ale
50 ml Ketel 1 with 150 ml ginger ale in a highball glass filled with ice, garnished with a lime wedge. The brand also recommends bitter lemon or cassis.
Glass: highball glass →Recipes and cocktails with Ketel 1
Genever is the predecessor of gin and performs surprisingly well in classics. With Ketel One Vodka, you can make the familiar vodka cocktails.
Kopstoot
A shot glass of genever next to a beer. Not a cocktail, but a tradition.
Amsterdam Sour
Genever, lemon, sugar and egg white. A sour with a Dutch base.
Espresso Martini
Vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur, vigorously shaken. Extra smooth with Ketel One Vodka.
Vodka Martini
Vodka and dry vermouth, stirred and ice-cold. The cocktail that made Ketel One big in America.The right glass for Ketel 1
A genuine shot glass for jenever and the kopstoot, a tumbler for the Signature Blend and a martini glass for Ketel One Vodka. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Ketel 1
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
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