Did you know that vodka can be made from more than just grains like potatoes, corn, rice, rye, and wheat? In 2017, a distillery in the Netherlands called Clucius Craft Distillers introduced a new kind of vodka made from fermented tulip bulbs. Yes, you read that right, tulip bulbs!

Clucius Dutch Tulip Vodka is a premium vodka that is handmade using tulips grown in the clay soil near the Dutch coastal dunes. The distillery currently produces two varieties of tulip vodka. The Clucius Tulip Vodka is made from a combination of tulip bulbs and other grains, offering a pristine and smooth vodka with gentle mineral tones, fresh floral aromas, and a subtle nutty twist. This bottle is priced at around $40 and can be enjoyed in a cocktail or sipped straight.

For those looking for an even more exclusive experience, Clucius also offers the Tulip Spirit Prestige. This premium vodka is made entirely from tulip bulbs, with each bottle containing about 350 bulbs. Limited in production, this exclusive vodka comes with a hefty price tag of about $370.

Both varieties of Clucius vodka have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40%. While these bottles may not be easily found in the U.S. and are primarily sold in local Dutch stores, you may be able to have them shipped to you from online marketplaces like Cask Cartel Premium Spirits, although at a higher cost.

The Netherlands is known for its tulips, and the Dutch take great pride in their rich history with these beautiful flowers. Cities like Amsterdam and Holland are home to some of the most extensive and exquisite tulip gardens in the world. Clucius Craft Distillers pays homage to this heritage by naming their distillery after Carolus Clusius, a 16th-century Dutch botanist and gardener who played a significant role in introducing tulips to the Netherlands.

The process of making tulip vodka is unique and involves fermenting 100% Dutch tulip bulbs by hand. The distillery uses water that has been naturally purified by the Dutch sand dunes, giving the vodka an extra touch of quality. Thousands of tulip bulbs are used each day in the production process, ensuring no waste is left behind. The remaining bits of bulbs are repurposed as cattle feed by a local farmer, and the water is recycled.

Water plays a crucial role in the production of vodka, making up about 60% of the final product. The use of water filtered naturally by Dutch sand dunes adds a distinctive character and contributes to the overall texture and mouthfeel of the vodka. This attention to detail highlights the commitment to creating a vodka with superior taste and quality.

If you ever have the opportunity to try this unique premium spirit, pay attention to the floral notes that come through in the vodka and see if you can taste the difference that the water makes. Clucius Dutch Tulip Vodka offers a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the rich history of tulips in the Netherlands with the craftsmanship of a premium vodka.

So, the next time you raise a glass of vodka, consider not only the grains that it might be made from, but also the possibility of enjoying a spirit crafted from tulip bulbs. Cheers!