Review: Bayfront Vodka
Bayfront Vodka is crafted at Rogue Ales and Spirits just steps from Yaquina Bay in Oregon. Rogue Ale was founded in 1988 by three Nike Executives Jack Joyce, Rob Strasser, and Bob Woodell along with Jeff Schultz an accountant and avid brewer. They currently brew 15 varieties of beer including Dead Guy, Batsquatch, and Gumberoo. In 2003 Rogue began distilling spirits. They currently produce 4 whiskeys, 2 Gins, and Bayfront Vodka. Bayfront is small batch distilled 6 times from 100% corn on a Vendome Copper & Brass still. For every bottle sold 10% is given to their non-profit partners to keep beaches and waterways clean. Read more
Review: Vinn Vodka
Vinn Vodka was the first vodka distilled from rice produced, distilled, and bottled in the US. The Vinn Distillery in Wilsonville Oregon is a family owned distillery that opened in 2009. The Vinn name comes from the middle name the five LY siblings share. The family also produces Baijiu, the National drink of China. Vinn is crafted from Non-GMO Calrose white rice grown in Northern California. They use a seventh generation family recipe coupled with modern technology. Vinn Vodka is made in small batches on a column still. Once distilled the spirit enters a circulation carbon filtration system for 10-12 hours prior to bottling. Read more
Review: Persian Reed Vodka
Persian Reed Vodka is crafted by Stillwagon Distillery in Coos Bay Oregon with molasses and sugar from sugar cane grown in Louisiana and Texas. Stillwagon Distillery is best known for their craft rums which they make over a dozen varieties but they also craft distill gin, whiskey, falernum and vodka. Persian Reed takes its name from a historical reference to sugarcane from the Romans who found sugarcane cultivated by the ancient Persians around 300 BC. The Persians called sugarcane “the reed that produces honey without bees”. Persian Reed Vodka is small batch distilled three times and reduced to proof with pure spring water. Read more
Review: Clear Creek Vodka
Clear Creek Vodka is crafted from 14 different varietals of Non-GMO apples grown on Hood River and Yakima Valley orchards. The spirit is distilled using a 46 chamber column still and then cut to 80 proof with glacier fed spring water from Mt. Hood. The Clear Creek distillery was founded by Stephen McCarthy in Portland Oregon. His family has owned orchards in Oregon since the turn of the century. Stephen began creating award winning European style fruit brandies but sold the distillery to Hood River in 2014. In 2017 Clear Creek moved to a brand new distillery in Hood River Oregon. Two years later they launched Clear Creek Vodka. Read more
Review: Cascadian Vodka
Cascadian Vodka is crafted at Oregon Spirit Distillers in Bend Oregon from local winter wheat grown in Oregon’s High Desert and pure Cascade Mountain spring water. After two years of planning Brad Irwin opened the distillery in 2009. He soon started distilling and barrel aging whiskey. In addition to vodka they currently produce gin, absinthe, limoncello, bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey. Read more
Review: Timberline Vodka
Timberline Vodka was released April 2021. It is made from a balance of grain, 14 different varieties of non GMO Pacific Northwest apples, and glacier fed spring water from Mt. Hood. Timberline is distilled with 46 levels of purification in a dual column 2000 liter pot still at Clear Creek Distillery in Hood River Oregon. Hood River Distillers acquired Clear Creek in 2014. While they are best known for their craft brandy, Clear Creek also produces McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey. Timberline Vodka is bottled at 80 proof with three different collectable canvas labels reflecting their commitment to the great outdoors. These labels feature a hiker, snow goose, and skier. Timberline is a proud partner of the freshwater trust, a non profit whose mission is to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems in the western US. Hood River Distillers also makes Big Gin, and imports Batanga Tequila. Read more
Review: Blood Sweat and Tears Vodka
Blood Sweat and Tears vodka was recently released. The name represents origin, blood; work ethic, sweat; and the struggle of all triumphs and tribulations, tears. Brand creator Umberto Luchini, is a former Campari America Marketing VP who previously worked on Espolon Tequila. Blood Sweat and Tears Vodka is triple distilled in Eugene Oregon by Ben Green from locally grown Pacific Northwest winter wheat and pure Cascade water. They mash, ferment, distill, freeze filter, and hand bottle everything out of a repurposed old laundromat. The matte black glass bottle features artwork depicting Oregon landmarks including Benson Footbridge and Lost Lake. Benson Footbridge traverses Multnomah Creek between the cascades of Multnomah Falls. Lost Lake is a lake in Sisters Oregon that disappears down a hole every spring. Read more
Review: Portland Potato Vodka
Portland Potato Vodka is one of several spirits crafted at the Eastside Distilling Company located in Southeast Portland’s Distillery Row since 2008. Currently eight independent distillers make their home there. Eastside also produces several rums, bourbons, whiskeys, and liqueurs. Portland Hot Potato Vodka, a habanero infused vodka made in collaboration with Secret Aardvark Hot Sauce was just released. Portland Potato Vodka is made from potatoes and pristine water from Mt. Hood. The vodka is distilled four times by Master Distiller Mel Heim. Read more
Review: Crater Lake Vodka
Crater Lake Vodka was released in 1996. It is crafted at the Bendistillery in Tumalo Oregon. They also produce gin, several flavored vodka’s, and whiskey and the Bendistillery is a strong Private Label producer of spirits with over 40 brands created there. Crater Lake Vodka is made from corn and distilled five times and then filtered ten times through charcoal and lava rock, then briefly rested in oak. Pure Cascade Mountain water is blended to reduce to 80 proof. Founder and distiller Jim Bendis launched Crater Lake Vodka before it was cool to open a distillery, and he crafted his vodka with corn, long before Deep Eddy, and 1 year before Tito Beverage launched Tito’s Vodka. Read more