OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka 375ML

OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka 375ML is a dual-pepper infused craft vodka from Seattle's OOLA Distillery, bottled at 40% ABV in a 375ml format. Earning 88 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Silver Medal at the New York International Spirits Competition, this expression stands apart from single-pepper competitors through its combination of Hungarian goathorn and Thai chili peppers sourced from Washington's Yakima Valley.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA  |  Style: Chili Pepper Infused Vodka  |  Distillery: OOLA Distillery

Production & Heritage

OOLA Distillery was founded by Kirby Kallas-Lewis in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. The base spirit begins with certified organic white winter wheat grown on a third-generation Washington family farm, which is milled, mashed, and distilled through Kirby's copper-pot still. After distillation, the vodka is infused with two distinct pepper varieties: Hungarian goathorn peppers from the Yakima Valley — the same farm prized by Seattle's beloved Mama Lil's brand — and Thai chili peppers, creating a layered heat profile that moves beyond the one-dimensional burn of most flavored vodkas.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A savory, rich red pepper character leads, followed by black pepper spice and a subtle earthiness. Warm vanilla and a trace of caramel round out the nose, suggesting depth beyond simple capsicum heat.

Taste: The entry is clean and wheat-soft before the dual-pepper infusion asserts itself at mid-palate, building into a gentle but unmistakable chili heat. As the spice crests, it transitions into a vegetal, fresh capsicum sweetness reminiscent of roasted red pepper, with fleeting notes of crushed peppers and a surprising savory quality akin to fresh mozzarella.

Finish: Smooth and warm, with a measured burst of red pepper spice that lingers without overwhelming. The heat dissipates gradually, leaving behind a clean, sweet pepper echo and subtle earthiness.

How to Drink OOLA Chili Pepper

Chilled and neat in a small pour reveals the full pepper complexity, though a single ice cube can tame the heat for those sensitive to spice. A Bloody Mary is the natural home for this vodka, where goathorn and Thai chili layers replace the need for additional hot sauce. It also shines in a Spicy Martini, where the clean wheat base and pepper infusion replace the muddled jalapeño step entirely. Try it in a Mexican Mule — ginger beer and lime amplify the chili's vegetal sweetness while keeping the heat balanced.

Best For

• Bloody Mary enthusiasts building a dedicated brunch bar
• Spice-loving cocktail fans exploring artisan pepper-infused spirits
• Gifting a home bartender who already owns every standard bottle
• Adding controlled, layered heat to savory cocktail experiments

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka taste like? It delivers a savory red pepper character with gentle, building heat from dual-pepper infusion, finishing with a clean, sweet capsicum warmth rather than a harsh burn. The organic wheat base keeps the spirit smooth underneath the spice.

How does OOLA Chili Pepper compare to Absolut TABASCO? Both scored 88 points from Wine Enthusiast, but OOLA uses two whole pepper varieties (goathorn and Thai chili) infused into an organic wheat copper-pot distillate, while Absolut TABASCO incorporates TABASCO pepper sauce flavoring into a column-distilled base. The result is a more layered, vegetal pepper character in the OOLA versus a more vinegar-forward, hot-sauce-driven profile in the Absolut.

Is OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka good for cocktails? It excels in cocktails, particularly Bloody Marys, Spicy Martinis, and any drink that benefits from natural chili heat without requiring muddled fresh peppers or added hot sauce.

Where is OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka made? It is distilled at OOLA Distillery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, using organic white winter wheat from a third-generation Washington farm and peppers from the Yakima Valley.

What foods pair well with OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka? Fresh oysters on the half shell benefit from its clean pepper heat in place of hot sauce. Ceviche and shrimp cocktail complement the vegetal sweetness. Soft cheeses like burrata echo the spirit's mozzarella-like savory quality. Grilled street corn (elote) mirrors its roasted pepper and spice notes. Thai spring rolls align naturally with the Thai chili component.

What sizes does OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka come in? This expression is available in a 375ml bottle, which serves well as a trial size or a specialty addition to a home bar without committing to a full 750ml.

Is OOLA Chili Pepper Vodka worth the price? It positions as a small-batch craft spirit in the premium tier, justified by its organic Washington wheat base, copper-pot distillation, and Yakima Valley pepper sourcing — details that set it apart from mass-produced flavored vodkas at lower price points.

Why OOLA Chili Pepper?

The dual-pepper infusion is the defining move here — combining Hungarian goathorn and Thai chili peppers creates a heat profile with genuine dimension, moving from earthy warmth to bright, vegetal spice in a way that single-pepper vodkas rarely achieve. The organic wheat base distilled through copper pot contributes a clean, slightly sweet foundation that lets the peppers speak without harsh grain interference. An 88-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and a Silver Medal from the New York International Spirits Competition confirm this isn't novelty flavoring — it's a serious infused spirit. For anyone building a Bloody Mary station or exploring spice-forward cocktails, this 375ml bottle delivers craft credentials and legitimate heat from farm-sourced Washington ingredients.