This piece was written by Lynn Mueting.
To describe the Kaelo (pronounced Kay-Lo) as an ice bucket is a quintessential British understatement.
After an ice water soaked incident in an upscale restaurant, Kevin Jabou, Inventor & founder, decided the ice bucket was well overdue for innovation. He spent 8 years pioneering and perfecting the Kaelo by employing the ethos ‘do one thing and do it well’. From modest beginnings in an east London shed with the investment of friends and family, he has now taken perhaps the most functional bit of a wine lover’s kit and elevated it to cult status.
Kevin found the answer to his watery problem in a military application for keeping medicines cool. Adapting the technology to suit his concept, he has transformed the venerable ice bucket by creating a modern and sexy alternative which is as much a part of dinner party conversation as the wine itself.
True to his dream, the Kaelo is indeed sleek with all the sophistication synonymous with great British design. Kevin recruited top talent to develop, manufacture and bring the Kaelo to life by employing an innovative team of craftsmen in the Cotwolds, where each Kaelo is lovingly hand made today. With offices now in Shoreditch and 4 new patents under his belt, the Kaelo is finally ready for service.
Every detail has been considered. The brand name itself is a hybrid of the Japanese word Kaezen meaning “continuous self improvement” and Halo, representing Kaelo’s illuminating light with its 27 hues to choose from. This lovely light ring can be utilised in a number of ways, enhancing party décor or to signal your waiter (or your partner) to bring another bottle. The shimmering polished collar of the Kaelo becons your bottle to nestle safely within, while the cool dry air stays at a steady 5-10 degrees (depending on the climate in which the bottle has been kept). This dry air ensures that prized labels remain intact while the wine stays at perfect drinking temperature even in hot and humid weather, without a drippy watery mess or ice run interruptions, and the Kaelo can keep it like that all day and into the night.
With a low 12v connection, Kaelo is designed for easy drop-in integration into kitchen islands or bathtub surrounds or pretty much anywhere you want it. The encapsulated fan draws hot air away from the patented unit to reduce heat and condensation, which means no venting, is required. There is also a beautiful free standing cabinet option with 4 finishes to choose from (bespoke options are possible) which sits handsomely in any room, be it the living room or the boardroom.
Additionally, Kaelo is well suited for incorporating into luxury cars and limousines (designated drivers required, of course). It’s also prime kit for yachts and private planes, where the practicality of reducing ice consumption is a welcome asset for curtailing weight and mess.
Of course, all of this comes at a price (starting a £996+ for an integrated model), but the Kaelo is not your average gadget. It is an alluring, dreamy and much to be desired accessory for any wine lover’s lair. It is an innovative, sexy interpretation of a humble classic. While Kevin may have started with an idea in a shed, we may now have the pleasure of calling the Kaelo ours.
This piece was written by Lynn Mueting.
