For 11 generations, since Mr. Johannes Nolet founded the family distillery in the city of Schiedam, Netherlands, in 1691, the Nolet family has been producing a variety of alcoholic beverages – vodka, gin, liqueurs, and more.
The current building housing the distillery was established in 1804 by family member Cornelis Nolet, who was the mayor of Schiedam. A century later, it was transferred to the authorities and served as the home for the district court of the Schiedam region. In 2013, it was returned to the Nolet family, who carried out a comprehensive renovation, completed in 2021. The massive building resembles a long warehouse, with a dock along the canal that connects two rivers flowing beside Schiedam. Of course, atop the building sits a large windmill, symbolizing agricultural Holland, green and abundant with wheat.
Inside the building, there are 11 distillation stills, and among them, a special surprise: Still No. 1, which represents the glorious past. It is built with a heavy covering of old porcelain bricks and is operated, just like in the past, using burning wood. The vodka produced from the ancient distillation process of Still No. 1 serves as the base for all other beverages, acting as a blend that combines modern distillation in a contemporary still with the traditions of the past.
Tasting: Ketel One Vodka. A premium Dutch vodka made from wheat, with hints of citrus and honey. It should be served well chilled, allowing for a long sip to uncover its secrets. A delicate, fruity vodka that can also serve as the base for countless cocktails.
