Van Gogh Double Espresso 750ML

Van Gogh Double Espresso 750ML is a coffee-infused vodka from the Netherlands bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof) in a 750ml format. This expression earned 99 Points and a Critics Double Gold at the Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition, placing it among the highest-rated flavored vodkas available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35% (70 Proof)  |  Origin: Schiedam, Netherlands  |  Flavored Vodka — Double Espresso  |  Distillery: Royal Dirkzwager Distillery

Production & Heritage

Royal Dirkzwager Distillery operates out of Schiedam, a historic Dutch distilling city long recognized as the birthplace of jenever. The base spirit starts with European wheat, triple distilled — twice through column stills for purity, then a third pass through a traditional pot still to retain character. The espresso flavor comes from a double infusion of Colombian coffee beans using only natural ingredients, a process that gives this expression twice the caffeine content of the brand's standard Espresso vodka. Introduced in 2005, it is credited as the original double espresso vodka on the market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly roasted Colombian coffee beans dominate the nose, followed by layers of cocoa, dark caramel, and an espresso-like fudge sweetness. The scent closely mirrors cold-brewed coffee straight from the press.

Taste: The entry is smooth and velvety, immediately delivering bold, concentrated espresso flavor. Mid-palate, dark chocolate emerges alongside a restrained sweetness that never turns cloying. An appropriately bitter edge keeps the profile grounded and authentic.

Finish: Clean and refreshing, with lingering coffee essence and gentle warmth. A faintly minty note appears at the tail end, adding unexpected complexity.

How to Drink Double Espresso

Chilled and served neat in a small glass reveals the full depth of the coffee infusion; a single ice cube opens up the chocolate undertones without diluting the espresso intensity. This vodka is a natural cocktail ingredient with serious versatility:

• Espresso Martini — The double-strength coffee character means you can skip the fresh espresso shot and still get a rich, crema-topped result.
• White Russian — The concentrated espresso backbone holds its own against heavy cream and Kahlúa, adding depth the classic recipe often lacks.
• Coffee Old Fashioned — Substituting this for standard vodka alongside a dash of chocolate bitters and demerara syrup creates a low-proof riff on the whiskey classic.

Best For

• Building a home Espresso Martini bar without an espresso machine
• Gifting a coffee-obsessed friend who also enjoys spirits
• After-dinner digestif service alongside dessert
• Stocking a cocktail cart for brunches and evening entertaining

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Espresso taste like? It delivers bold, authentic espresso flavor with dark chocolate and subtle caramel sweetness, balanced by a bitter coffee edge and a clean, faintly minty finish. The profile closely resembles high-quality cold-brewed coffee with a gentle warming sensation from the alcohol.

How does Double Espresso compare to Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka? Crater Lake blends hazelnut with its coffee profile, creating a nuttier, sweeter flavor, while Van Gogh Double Espresso focuses entirely on concentrated, unadorned Colombian coffee intensity. Van Gogh's triple distillation and double infusion method also produce a noticeably smoother base spirit at a comparable 35% ABV.

Is Double Espresso good for cocktails? It is one of the most cocktail-friendly coffee spirits available, particularly for Espresso Martinis, where its concentrated coffee flavor can stand in for a fresh espresso shot. The 35% ABV integrates easily into mixed drinks without overpowering other ingredients.

Where is Double Espresso made? It is produced at the Royal Dirkzwager Distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands, a city with a centuries-long distilling tradition located near Rotterdam. The base wheat spirit is triple distilled on-site before being infused with Colombian coffee beans.

What foods pair well with Double Espresso? Tiramisu mirrors its espresso and cocoa notes for a seamless match. Dark chocolate truffles amplify the bittersweet mid-palate. Crème brûlée contrasts its coffee intensity with vanilla custard richness. Vanilla bean ice cream creates a simple affogato-style pairing. Aged Gouda offers a savory counterpoint that highlights the caramel undertones.

What sizes does Double Espresso come in? The standard widely available format is the 750ml bottle, which is the most common size found in retail.

Is Double Espresso worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium flavored vodka, and the critical recognition — including 99 points from the Critics Challenge, 95 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute — suggests strong value relative to its price tier. Few coffee vodkas at this level carry comparable accolades.

Why Double Espresso?

The sheer weight of critical acclaim sets this apart from nearly every other flavored vodka on the shelf: 99 points from the Critics Challenge, 94 points and Gold from the Beverage Testing Institute, 95 points from the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 90/100 from Wine Enthusiast, and a Five Star / Highest Recommendation from The Spirit Journal. The double infusion of Colombian coffee beans — a process introduced in 2005 before the espresso cocktail boom — gives it a depth of flavor that single-infusion competitors struggle to match. Triple distillation from European wheat provides a clean, smooth canvas that lets the coffee speak without harsh grain notes. For anyone serious about coffee cocktails or after-dinner sipping, this remains a benchmark expression in the category.