Ketel No. 1 Jenever (often labeled KETEL 1 Original) is a modern classic within Dutch jenever—a traditional spirit category often described as the bridge between genever/jenever and the gin we know today. It originates in the Netherlands and is closely associated with the city of Schiedam, historically one of the country’s most important centers for distillation and jenever production.
The producer behind Ketel No. 1 is Nolet Distillery, a family-owned distillery with a long history in Schiedam. Nolet is perhaps best known internationally for vodka, but their jenever is a clear expression of Dutch spirits heritage: clean, balanced, and designed for both classic serves and modern bar use.
In terms of style, Ketel No. 1 is a “jonge jenever,” which in practice means a lighter, fresher, more contemporary take on jenever compared with older, more malt-driven and oak-forward styles. It’s made to be smooth and versatile, with a clear grain character without becoming heavy. The ABV typically sits around 35%, which also contributes to its approachable, soft profile.
On the nose, it comes across as clean and fresh with a discreet spice note. You’ll often find a clear grain base and a gentle herbal/juniper-like touch, but the overall expression is more rounded and “malt-soft” than what many people associate with gin. The palate is dry and well balanced, showing a mild sweetness from the base, a subtle lift of spice, and a clean, lightly peppery finish. The aftertaste is medium-long and refreshing, focused on purity and a soft, grainy warmth rather than pronounced sweetness or a strong juniper punch.
Ketel No. 1 Jenever can be enjoyed in several ways. The most classic serve is well chilled in small glasses as an aperitif or digestif. In the Netherlands, you’ll also find the traditional pairing with beer—where a jenever is served alongside a beer and sipped alternately—which works surprisingly well as the clean, grain-led profile meets the beer’s bitterness and malt.
In cocktails, Ketel No. 1 is especially useful when you want a base with more soft grain character than gin, yet still enough subtle herbal spice to hold a drink together. It excels in simple, fresh serves such as highballs with soda water and citrus, or in classic recipes where you might otherwise use gin or vodka but want more body and a distinctly “grain-forward” personality. It also performs well in dry, stirred cocktails where clarity and structure matter, as it provides backbone without taking over.
In short, Ketel No. 1 Jenever is a clean, modern, highly versatile jenever from Schiedam: fresh and grain-driven with gentle spice, perfect ice-cold in a traditional serve—and a strong tool behind the bar when you want more character than vodka and a softer profile than gin.
