Review: 4 Orange Vodka
4 Orange Vodka: Orange-flavored vodka, right?
Not exactly: This is vodka made out of oranges. Nothing but Florida oranges (four varieties of ’em, hence the name). And flavored with oranges: As you might expect, it’s quite orangey, jammy/marmalade-like in character and with only a little bit of bitter orange peel bite in the finish.
Very clean and refreshing, it’s not cloying at all, and the orange taste is very natural. Maybe 4 Oranges is on to something here, distilling the vodka out of the product you want it to taste like, rather than mixing in a bunch of flavoring agents after the fact.
80 proof.
A- / $25
In all fairness, the bottle does advertise “with natural orange flavor.” I agree with you that in the United States, federal regulations define vodka as “neutral spirits so distilled, or so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.” (27 CFR 5.22(a)(1).) This appears to be a “flavored vodka” which is defined as “vodka… to which have been added natural flavoring materials, with or without the addition of sugar, and bottled at not less than 60[deg] proof. The name of the predominant flavor shall appear as a part of the designation.” (27 CFR 5.22(i).)
In law school, most of my alcohol related research was… ahem… practical in nature. But occasionally the legal research was interesting.
What are you… a freakin lawyer?
Brilliant point. I should say that not even Robin Williams could have written this so well. You clearly have a skill for writing. Amazing post!
Best vodka out there!