Ketel 1
The jenever 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 jenever, from the family distillery in Schiedam that has existed since 1691 and is still run by the family. The name refers to Distilleerketel #1, the distillery's oldest still-working copper pot still. Ketel 1 Young Jenever is a smooth, grain-forward jenever at 35% with a subtle touch of juniper and herbs, and has been the best-selling jenever in the Netherlands for years.
The same family created 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 since 2008 through a joint venture with Diageo. In the Netherlands, 'Ketel 1' primarily refers to the jenever; there is also the Signature Blend (wood-aged, 38.4%) and the ready-to-drink Hard Lemonades.
In brief
What types of Ketel 1 are there?
Ketel 1 Young Jenever
The one-liter bottle found in every Dutch pub. Smooth, crisp, and lightly spicy: straight from the freezer or mixed.
Ketel 1 Young Jenever 70 cl
The same jenever in the smaller bottle. Handy 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. Round, warm, and almost whisky-like.
Signature Blend Rum Cask Finish
The Signature Blend finished in three former Caribbean rum casks. Nutmeg, dried apricot, and spices.
Ketel One Vodka
The world-famous wheat vodka from the same family. Crisp, silky-smooth, and lightly citrusy, made for cocktails.
Ketel 1 3 litres
The large bottle for the bar, clubhouse or big party. With a pourer, it is an eye-catcher on the bar.
For drinks: Young Jenever. For neat pours and cocktails: Signature Blend or Ketel One Vodka.
Soft, clean and lightly juniper-forward
Grain & juniper
Fresh and clean, with a light touch of juniper, citrus and fresh grain. Hardly any alcohol heat.
Soft and rounded
Remarkably smooth for a young jenever: lightly grain-sweet, with a delicate spiciness and a fresh finish.
Short and clean
A short, dry finish that invites another glass. The Signature Blend is warmer and longer, with wood.
Flavor profile of Ketel 1 Young Jenever served ice-cold. The Signature Blend scores higher on spice and strength, while Ketel One Vodka is more neutral and fresher.
Three ways to drink Ketel 1
Young jenever is drunk ice-cold from a glass filled to the brim. The Signature Blend deserves a tumbler and room temperature.
Ice-cold and neat
Put the bottle in the freezer and fill a shot glass to the brim. Lean forward for the first sip without lifting the glass. This is how it's done in Schiedam.
Glass: shot glass →Kopstoot
A shot glass of ice-cold Ketel 1 beside a small glass of pilsner. Jenever first, then beer, or vice versa. 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, with a lime wedge. The brand itself also recommends bitter lemon or cassis.
Glass: highball glass →Recipes and cocktails with Ketel 1
Jenever 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 jenever beside a beer. Not a cocktail, but a tradition.
Amsterdam Sour
Jenever, 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
Is your question not listed? View our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
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