Bols Classic Premium Dutch Vodka 70 cl 37.5%

Behind most bars in the world stands a row of bottles marked Bols. They are usually brightly coloured, sweet and full of liqueur. This one is the sober member of the family — the clear bottle that is not meant to taste of anything in particular, only to do its job.

Expert description

Bols Classic is a Dutch Vodka from Lucas Bols in Amsterdam, distilled four times from 100% grain and bottled at 37.5%.

Lucas Bols has been around since 1575 and ranks among the oldest spirits brands of all. The house grew large on genever and on a liqueur range that still fills shelves in bars worldwide, and all that experience in hitting the same flavour every single time sits behind the clear bottle too.

The vodka is made solely from grain and distilled four times. The aim is not to build character but to remove whatever gets in the way: fusel oils, harshness and the heavy notes that linger. What is left is a spirit mild enough to drink cold and neutral enough to vanish into a drink without fighting the other ingredients.

The 37.5% is no accident. It is the lower limit the EU allows for a spirit to be called vodka at all, and the lower strength makes the bottle friendlier in long drinks, where alcohol otherwise takes over quickly.

Tasting notes

Nose

Discreet and neutral. There is a trace of pale grain and a distant citrus note, but nothing steps clearly forward.

Palate

Soft and light in body, with a suggestion of sweetness midway. It is smooth rather than full and meets no resistance along the way.

Finish

Short and clean. It closes without heat and without bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Bols Classic
Producer: Lucas Bols
Region/Country: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Type: Dutch Vodka
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Four times distilled from 100% grain
EAN no.: 8716000968906
Serving suggestion: Ice cold in a small glass, or as the base of a Screwdriver or Moscow Mule.

Flavour profile

Neutral · Soft · Light · Mild

Did you know?

Lucas Bols ran the house for more than 400 years before vodka joined the range. The clear bottle first went to market in 1989 — long after genever, kummel and half a hundred liqueurs had found their place.

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Frequently asked questions about Bols Classic

Why is it 37.5% rather than 40%?

Because 37.5% is the lowest strength a vodka may carry in the EU. It is a deliberate choice for long drinks, where slightly less alcohol makes the mix easier to drink without changing the flavour picture much.

What does 100% grain mean?

That no molasses, potato or other starch source has been blended in. Grain-based vodka usually gives a milder, lighter profile than molasses, which tends to pull in a sweeter and heavier direction.

What do four distillations do to the flavour?

They take away more than they add. Each pass strips out more of the heavy alcohols and aroma compounds, and the result is cleaner and more neutral. The cost is that the grain character fades as well.

Can it be drunk neat?

Yes, but it wants to be cold. At room temperature it reads a little thin, while the fridge or freezer tightens the texture and lifts the small sweetness. Serve it in a small glass and drink it within a few minutes.

Which drinks is it built for?

The long, simple ones. Screwdriver, Moscow Mule, Vodka Tonic and Sea Breeze all work, because the vodka does not argue with juice or ginger. For a dry Martini, where the spirit stands bare, many will prefer a higher strength.

What separates Bols vodka from Bols genever?

Everything except the sender. Genever is made from malt wine with juniper and spices and carries a clear grain flavour, while the vodka is distilled towards neutrality. The two resemble each other only on the label.

Should vodka be kept in the freezer?

Only if it is going to be drunk neat. Frost thickens the vodka and dampens both sweetness and aroma, which is pleasant in a shot and a drawback in a cocktail. If the bottle is for mixing, room temperature suits it best. To see other styles, browse our Vodka brands.