Vodka
Vodka goes in and out of fashion, but not its popularity with drinkers. It remains the biggest-selling spirit in the U.S, and even the Scots drink more vodka than whisky. In the U.S., according to the Code of Federal Regulations, vodka is defined 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.” Nevertheless, there are subtle differences between vodka made from potatoes and from grain, for example, two of the most common base products for distilling into vodka. (In recent years, a wide variety of other bases have been used to make vodka.) Infused vodka has usually been infused with natural products (e.g. real lemons), while flavored vodka can mean it contains either natural or artificial flavorings. Rules regarding the acceptable strength of vodka differ slightly around the world. Within the European Union, vodkas can be bottled at as low as 75 proof, while in most countries outside the European Union, and in the U.S., vodka must be at least 80 proof.
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Ft. Lauderdale’s Shady Distillery makes its spirits using a “blend of old world and new world technique along with the best ingredients,” including a vodka distilled from corn and bottled with no additives or sweeteners. This special “Recount 2020” edition ups the proof from 80 to 81, and features a custom label designed to celebrate…
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The name Pickers has nothing to do with the American Pickers TV series but is rather a homage to the guitar pickers in the city of Nashville where the Pennington Distilling Company is based. Use of the word ‘original’ also lets you know that they have a small range of flavored vodkas, as well as…
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Finlandia — which is legitimately made in Finland, distilled from Suomi barley — has been around forever, but the brand got a shakeup a few years ago, such that none of the Finlandia expressions we’ve previously reviewed are still available in the U.S. Today, the States have just three versions of the vodka to experience:…
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France’s Ciroc, which distills its vodka from grapes, recently launched two new flavors. Pineapple is part of the permanent lineup, while White Grape is a “limited edition” flavor — although it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. We tried them both, and our thoughts follow as always. Both are 70 proof. Ciroc White…
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At this point it feels safe to say that the 2020 holiday season will be unlike any other in our lifetimes. And while in-person gatherings may not be possible, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to stop exchanging gifts. In fact, in the world of booze, it’s easier than ever to ship a bottle of…
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Our final look at the spirits of Madison, NC-based Piedmont Distillers takes us to the world of vodka. Method + Standard is a line of vodkas which are made via “a quadruple distillation of American-grown corn.” It’s available as a straight, unflavored vodka and in three infused versions. We look at two of them below. Method…
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No, it’s not a baby vodka from Las Vegas, silly. It’s Vegas Baby Vodka! Like, you know: Vegas, Baby!!! Moving on. This product is produced by Las Vegans Jennifer Higgins and Megan Wilkes, designed with a particular destination in mind: The hordes of drunken, Strip-wandering gamblers looking for a little hooch. It’s a distillate of non-GMO…
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So, I guess we have to talk about the bottle first. Yes, the design is of a woman, as if she was carved from a block of ice, and yes those are her breasts, as if they were carved from watermelons. If nothing else, it’s certainly fun to hold the bottle of Vavoom Vodka. Lift…
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Behind the opaque, black bottle of Blood x Sweat x Tears (aka Blood, Sweat, and Tears, aka BST) you’ll find a craft vodka from Eugene, Oregon-based Wolf Spirit Distillery. I don’t have a lot of production information about this spirit, except that its made from local wheat and water and is freeze filtered before bottling.…
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SoNo 1420 is — perhaps you’ve guessed — a brand that revolves around cannabis. The Connecticut-based operation uses hemp seeds in its whiskeys and uses hemp flower in its gins. However, its three vodkas — two of which we review here — are hemp-free. Let’s give these spirits a try. Both are 80 proof. SoNo…
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