Oola Vodka
Oola Vodka (750mL, 42% ABV / 84 proof) is the flagship pour from Oola Distillery in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood — a wheat vodka with genuine Pacific Northwest roots. White winter wheat is sourced from a third-generation Washington family farm that is certified organic and Salmon-Safe, then small-batch distilled on a fractioning still built by Vendome Copper & Brass and filtered just once with minimal charcoal, so the grain keeps its personality. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 42% (84 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Base: Washington-grown white winter wheat (organic, Salmon-Safe farm)
- Distillation: Small-batch fractioning still, single light charcoal filtration
- Distillery: Oola Distillery, Capitol Hill, Seattle — founded by Kirby Kallas-Lewis, named for his German shepherd
- Awards: "Highly Recommended" — F. Paul Pacult, The Spirit Journal; 2011 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards
A Seattle Original, Bottled Stronger Than Most
Most vodka aims to taste like nothing; Oola has other ideas. Bottled at a confident 84 proof rather than the standard 80, this is vodka built to be tasted, not hidden — a deliberate choice by a distillery that treats vodka as a showcase for grain rather than a blank canvas. Founder Kirby Kallas-Lewis grinds, mills, ferments, and distills everything in-house, and the single, light charcoal filtration is specifically calibrated to retain the character of the locally sourced grain instead of stripping it. Explore more from Oola or browse our vodka collection — this one belongs alongside the best craft vodkas on the shelf.
Tasting Notes
Citrus peel on the nose, followed by layers of soft vanilla. The crystal-clear spirit has a smooth, medium-light body and the clean flavor profile of a classic wheat vodka. The bite of crisp pepper evolves into a long finish of caramel, lemon, and orange zest — complex and opulent, with the extra proof giving the flavors room to breathe.
How to Enjoy
The distillery's own serve is simplest: on the rocks or with a twist, and at 84 proof it genuinely rewards sipping. It also makes a martini with actual character — dry, with a lemon twist to echo the citrus notes — and holds its own in vodka-forward classics like the Vodka Gimlet or a Greyhound.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oola Vodka made from?Oola Vodka is made from white winter wheat grown on a third-generation Washington family farm that is certified organic and Salmon-Safe. It is small-batch distilled in Seattle and filtered only once with minimal charcoal to preserve the grain's character.
What does Oola Vodka taste like?Citrus peel and soft vanilla on the nose, a smooth medium-light body with a clean classic wheat profile, a crisp peppery bite, and a long finish of caramel, lemon, and orange zest.
Why is Oola Vodka 84 proof instead of 80?The distillery bottles it at 42% ABV / 84 proof deliberately — it's built to be tasted, not hidden, with the extra strength carrying the citrus, vanilla, and pepper notes more clearly than a standard 80-proof vodka.
Where is Oola Distillery?Oola Distillery is in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Founder and distiller Kirby Kallas-Lewis named it after his German shepherd, Oola.
Pour a vodka with a sense of place: add Oola Vodka to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor and taste what Washington wheat can do at 84 proof.