The Straight Up Features : Ketel One Vodka

Ketel One is a classic example, for me, of the adage 'don't judge a book by its cover' applied. Often I have seen it sitting on the shelves in bars, wedged non-obtrusively between the cheap and domestic brands and the new, flashy, imported stuff, kind of like, say, the Chevy Empala. The bottle and label always seemed, well, silly to me, and I tended to overlook it. Recently, I was stuck with it and absolut to choose from, and I decided to give it a try.

I was overwhelmed. Of all the vodkas I've ever had, Ketel One has probably the most distinct and potent flavor of them all. It was truly amazing. I'm twice as thankful that I chose to have it straight up, as opposed to putting it in a martini or something (which I almost did). I had another glass there on the spot.

Ketel One is from Holland and has been distilled in small batches, using the same techniques by the Nolet family for just over three hundred years. At least 200 gallons of each batch is apparently dumped as being 'not up to standards', and each batch must be tested by a member of the family for approval. The name apparently comes from the original distilling kettle. It's charcoal filtered (I don't know how many times) and is a grain vodka, although I couldn't find which grain exactly, which leads me to suspect that it's not exlusive. Best of all, it's allowed to rest, spending some time undergroundin tile lined tanks, which I'm convinced helps create the strong flavor.

And the flavor, of course, is what really grabbed me. First of all, against all previous advice, I'm going to say you don't need to chill this one to enjoy it (although chilling certainly doesn't hurt). The flavor is hearty, not sweet, but without burn. You might call it bitter like iced tea can be bitter. To call it smooth is technically correct, but perhaps not the best description, if you ask me. While it isn't rough, the flavor is too powerful to be limited to 'smooth'. It's really a vodka that you'll want to roll around in your mouth for a bit and savor, even sip.

Overall, it's a most excellent vodka which many many people seem to enjoy. You'll really get the effect of the traditional distilling on top of the resting, and it's quite a joy to sit around and sip. Overall, I'm sorry I took as long to try it as I did.

Key facts about Ketel One :

Alcohol Content : Can you guess? 80 proof.

Age : I can't honestly say how long most vodkas are aged, but I get the impression that your average vodka isn't aged at all. Some brands, however, enjoy a bit of resting, generally underground and, as I said, Ketel One is one of those. And the rule is 'aging equals flavor'.

Price (.750) : $25-30. This is, however, the vodka for everyone. Anyone that likes hard liquor at all is going to like Ketel One, and I'd imagine it makes a pretty good mixer, too.

Notes : Drink it however you like. Ketel One can stand up to pressure.

Final Standing : Soused.