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Vodka is a distilled alcoholic beverage that tends to be made from fruit, vegetables (like potatoes), and grains. The most common ingredients used are wheat, rye, and potatoes however some brands utilize other ingredients such as grapes and watermelon.
Vodka has been enjoyed worldwide for decades, with many distillers still producing the same beverage they made before they were officially established.
There is a range of Dutch vodka brands that have originated in the Netherlands, and we are going to look at some of our top picks. Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of which vodka brands are available in the country.
Top Dutch Vodka Brands
Deeper Look at the Top Dutch Vodka Brands
1. Bols Vodka
Bols Vodka is the name of the vodka distiller, Lucas Bols. It was established in 1575 and is among the oldest vodka distillers in the world. The brand can be found in over 110 countries worldwide, with a product offering containing over 30 flavors.
Rye is used as the base ingredient in the vodka which then goes through the vodka-making process. The vodka is distilled and filtered using charcoal filters which helps distillers reach a high level of purity in the vodka.
Bols Vodka Original is sold at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 37,5% (75 proof) in 700-milliliter bottles. It has a clean and pure palate from the charcoal filtering and is an ideal vodka as a base for cocktails or mixers. The price of the original vodka is $18.
Bols has a range of ready-to-enjoy cocktails, gift options, and flavored liqueurs. The brand has a range of brandies and liqueurs available as an additional product offering at an average price of $13. These offerings are sold at an average ABV of 17% (34 proof).
2. Bong Spirit Vodka
Bong Spirit Vodka was established in 2005 by Jimi Beach and originated from the Netherlands although the group of partners originate from Orlando, Florida. The vodka is made using fine Dutch grain which is ground down into a vodka mash.
It then goes through a distillation process six times to ensure a smooth flavor. The beverage is then filtered four times to remove any impurities, leaving a smooth and pure vodka product.
The bottles are made to look like a bong, which is a method of smoking cannabis. This pays homage to the iconic symbolism of cannabis in the Netherlands which is known for its ‘coffee shops’ where the smoking of cannabis is permitted, and the sale of cannabis is tolerated by authorities.
It is sold at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40% (80 proof) with a price point of $25 per 750-milliliter bottle.
3. Hooghoudt
Hooghoudt is a distillery run by the Hooghoudt that has been operating since 1888. The family originates from the Groningen town in the Netherlands which is known for its precision and stubbornness.
Hooghoudt has used this approach for producing vodka without taking shortcuts or compromising their processes. Despite the second world war affecting distillers across Europe, the fruit-based distillery managed to survive and maintain its product offering.
The vodka is made using a copper still that was named by a fourth-generation Hooghoudt descendant after one of the founders, Grietje. Winter wheat is used as the base ingredient for the vodka and is ground down and combined with purified water to create the vodka mash.
It is sold at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 37,5% (75 proof) in 1-liter bottles which are becoming scarcer as other vodka brands move towards 700-milliliter bottles.
It is an ideal vodka to be used as the base for cocktails or mixers due to the mild taste of the beverage. Flavoring is added to make it milder and more neutral than other vodkas. Hooghoudt is in the business of making pure vodka that can be enjoyed in numerous ways and therefore stays away from flavored variations.
For flavored alcohol beverages from the brand, there are Genevers (which is like gin) and Hard Seltzers available. These are sold at 43% ABV (86 proof) and 5% (10 proof) respectively.
The average price of Hooghoudt vodka is $8 per 750 ml bottle while the Genevers and hard seltzers are sold at $16 per 750 ml bottle and $25 per six-pack respectively.
4. Ketel One Vodka
Ketel One is a vodka brand produced in Schiedam, Netherlands by the Nolet Distillery. Schiedam is a small town near Rotterdam in Holland. Despite misconceptions, Holland is not the same as the Netherlands, as it is one of 12 provinces within the country.
The brand was established in 1691 by Carolus Nolet Senior who envisioned a high-quality and unique vodka that was crafted for the modern palate.
This vodka is made using a combination of traditional copper pot stills and modern distillation techniques, paying homage to the founder’s vision.
After discovering that Ketel One vodka is like other vodkas available on the market, Carolus Nolet (a descendant of the original Nolet) began looking to refine the recipe to be ideal for a cocktail base. He looked primarily at creating a vodka that has a pure and fresh taste with a long finish.
Ketel One Vodka has a light fragrance of honey and citrus with a silky and long finish. It is made from wheat and is sold at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40% (80 proof).
A 700-milliliter bottle of this vodka can be bought for $19. Other offerings from the brand include flavored vodka variations of Botanical Grapefruit & Rose, Orange, Citroen, Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom, and Botanical Cucumber & Mint.
5. Van Gogh Vodka
Van Gogh Vodka was established in 2000 to create and perfect “The Art of Vodka”. Master distiller, Tim Vos, has worked with the brand, elevating the brand to a globally recognized one that is known for its smooth and authentic flavors, vast flavor palate, and production of smooth and delightful vodka.
The vodka is handcrafted from a blend of wheat that is sourced from France, Holland (Netherlands), and Germany. Flavored variations are made using a double infusion process that utilizes natural flavors to create the brand’s signature flavors.
These flavors include Wild Apple, Double Espresso, and Dutch Chocolate. They are all sold at an alcohol by volume of 37% (70 proof) at an average price of $25 per 750-milliliter bottle.
Other flavors include Açai-Blueberry, Citroen, Cool Peach, Dutch Caramel, Mango, Melon, Orange, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry, and Vanilla.
The original recipe has an alcohol by volume of 40% (80 proof) and is available in 750-milliliter bottles at $25. It has natural flavors of European grain which originated from the wheat used and has a clean and refined flavor palate.
6. Beneluxe Vodka
Beneluxe was established in Rotterdam which is a city based in the South of Holland. It was founded in 1658 and is known for its premium vodka offerings. Beneluxe Vodka is available at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40% (80 proof).
The vodka is made using high-quality grain and osmosis water which are combined with yeast to ferment the vodka mash. The mash is then distilled which is a process involving heating the vodka and collecting the cooled down steam which has a high alcohol content. The beverage is then filtered to remove impurities.
It is rested for 30 days before it is bottled, ensuring a rich and smooth vodka product. It is ideal as a base for a cocktail; however, the unique flavor of the beverage makes it a good option to drink neat (without ice) or on the rocks (with ice). it is best to use a single, large ice cube as this will avoid watering down the beverage.
A 700-milliliter bottle of this vodka can be bought for $41 which is higher than some of the other Dutch vodka brands we have discussed so far. This is due to the vodka being a luxury vodka, making it more of an investment and less of an everyday beverage.
