Review: Pickers Pineapple Vodka
Pickers Pineapple Vodka is one of three flavored vodkas crafted at Pennington Distilling Company in the Historic Nations neighborhood of Nashville Tennessee. The other flavors include Blood Orange and Blueberry. The distillery was established in 2011 and was originally named Speakeasy Spirits. Whisper Creek Tennessee Sippin Cream is the distillery’s flagship brand. They also produce Pennington’s Flavored Rye Whiskeys, and Davidson Reserve Fine Tennessee Whiskey. Pickers Pineapple starts with a vodka base made from non GMO corn and is distilled 11 times in a 32 foot state of the art Vendome column still that features 48 plates to remove impurities. Once distilled the spirit is filtered four times and then blended with pure Tennessee limestone water to reduce to proof. Real fruit and natural flavors are infused before bottling at 70 proof. Read more 
Review: Grey Goose La Vanille Vodka
Grey Goose La Vanille Vodka was just released for a limited time. Originally launched in 2003 La Vanille was the third flavored vodka Grey Goose introduced. La Vanille was discontinued in 2007. Demand for premium vanilla flavored spirits has grown 40% year over year. No doubt helped by sales of Crown Royal Vanilla, Jim Beam Vanilla, and Ciroc Vanilla Vodka. Cellar Master Francois Thibault was inspired by the original recipe. Does that mean this is not the same recipe as the original Grey Goose La Vanille Vodka? I don’t know. I do know it is crafted from the original Grey Goose Vodka base made from soft winter wheat grown on farms in Picardy, Northern France. The spirit is distilled once using a five column distillation process. Pristine Gensac La Pallue spring water naturally filtered through Champaign limestone in the Cognac region of France is blended with the spirit. The vodka is then filtered through cellulose and carbon. Natural vanilla flavors sourced from vanilla beans harvested in Madagascar are infused with the vodka. No sugar is added. Read more
Review: Our/Los Angeles Vodka
Our/Vodka is a global family of vodkas made in micro distilleries in city centers around the world. Our/Vodka was started by six entrepreneurs in Stockholm Sweden in 2011. Our/Los Angeles Vodka is the sixth release in the series. An electrically heated copper still with a filling capacity of 15.8 gallons is used to distill a raw wheat distillate sourced from Ahus Sweden. This distillate is contant across all of the sister cities. Each micro distillery then adds their own locally sourced ingredients and unique distilling process in crafting their own personal vodka. Our/Los Angeles Vodka starts with demineralized and deionized Los Angeles city water to achieve a pure starting place for the process. The water, high wine distillate from the alembic and rectified spirit which is sourced from Idaho wheat and fermented with a non GMO strain of yeast that is traditionally used in wine making, are blended in a stainless steel agitating tank that has a maximum filling capacity of 132 gallons to achieve the final product. Once blended the bottles are rinsed and filled in a 375 ml. bottle similar in shape to a bottle of Red Stripe beer, then capped with a crown cap on the bottling machine. Read more
Review: Humboldt Distillery Organic Vodka
Humboldt Distillery Organic Vodka is crafted from organic sugarcane and pristine water sourced from a watershed that originates in old growth redwood forests. The spirit is small batch distilled four times. Humboldt Distillery Organic Vodka is free of glycerin, sweeteners, citrus acid or additives. Abe Stevens founded Humboldt Distillery in 2012. They currently also produces a gold rum, spiced rum, and a cannabis infused vodka. All are certified organic. The Humboldt Distillery has increased distribution of their entire product line to now include 12 states. Read more
Review: Smirnoff Moscow Mule Vodka
Smirnoff Moscow Mule Vodka is a ginger and lime infused vodka. Smirnoff is commemorating the anniversary of the Moscow Mule with this limited edition vodka. Smirnoff invented the Moscow Mule in 1941. For those unfamiliar with a Moscow Mule the drink is made with Smirnoff Vodka, Ginger Beer, and a squeeze of fresh Lime Juice. The cocktail is traditionally served in an ice filled copper mug. Smirnoff Moscow Mule vodka is made with vodka, natural flavors, and certified color. It weighs in at 60 proof. Smirnoff even sells this in a copper colored bottle. The bottle’s label reads, just add ginger ale. The Original Smirnoff Moscow Mule is made with 1.5 Oz. Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, 4 Oz. Ginger Beer, and a squeeze of fresh lime. It doesn’t sound that complicated. As with all of my reviews Smirnoff Moscow Mule Vodka will be reviewed as a stand alone product. I will also mix and sample a Moscow Mule made with this vodka and ginger ale and offer my comments. Read more
Review: Broken Shed Vodka
Broken Shed Vodka was released 2011. The vodka is named for the broken down shed where the spirit was first created on the South Island of New Zealand in the Township of Wanaka. Wanaka is situated in a glacier carved basin on the shores of Lake Wanoka. Broken Shed is made from distilled whey and a blend of water from two of New Zealand’s purest water sources. East Tamaki located on the North Island and Central Otago located on the South Island. It is four times distilled and filtered through a custom designed charcoal and depth filtration process. Whey is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. While whey may seem like an unusual base to distill vodka from, several other vodkas including Milk Money, VDKA 6100, Vermont White, and Black Cow also distill their vodka from milk. Broken Shed is crafted without using additives or sugars. Read more
Review: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber and Mint
Ketel One Botanical Cucumber and Mint was released May 2018 along with the previously reviewed Grapefruit and Rose, and Peach and Orange Blossom varieties. The Ketel One Botanical line was created by 11th generation distillers Carl Jr. and Bob Nolet. With over 327 years of distilling experience passed down from 11 generations they live by the family motto, quality over everything. Each variety starts with Original Ketel One vodka made from 100% GMO free European wheat. The base is re-distilled with the Nolet family’s botanical recipe in small batches through traditional copper pot stills. After distillation the spirit is infused with the natural essence specific to each variety. No artificial flavors, sugars, or carbs are added before bottling at 60 proof. Weighing in at 73 calories per 1.5 Oz. serving Ketel One Botanical Cucumber Mint is crafted with 40% fewer calories than a glass of white wine. Read more
Review: Enchanted Rock Vodka
Enchanted Rock Vodka is made at the Rebecca Creek Distillery in San Antonio Texas. The distillery was founded by Steve Ison in 2009. The Rebecca Creek Distillery also produces Enchanted Rock Peach Vodka, Rebecca Creek Whiskey, and Texas Ranger Whiskey. Enchanted Rock is named for the pink granite mountain located about 17 miles north of Fredricksburg Texas. It is said to be haunted by ghosts. Enchanted Rock Vodka is crafted in small batches. The hearts of the distillate are made from corn and distilled in a Christian Carl copper pot still. The spirits then enter in vapor form under pressure into a modern 6 plate copper column still where the spirit is distilled the functional equivalent of 10 times. The flavor is rounded out using a proprietary 28 degree frost filtration. The temperature is first reduced to 28 degrees and then the chilled vodka is passed under pressure through 25 microfiber paper filters. Pure limestone filtered water is blended to reduce to proof. Read more
Review: American Anthem Vodka
American Anthem Vodka was released by Diageo May 2018. Diageo already produces the Smirnoff, Ketel One, and Ciroc brands. For every bottle of American Anthem Vodka sold, Diageo will donate $1 to charities supporting military personnel and their families. American Anthem is 5 times distilled from corn grown in Iowa and Indiana. With a retail list price of $14.99 for a 750ml bottle, I purchased my bottle for $9.99, American Anthem appears to be positioned at a price point at or below market leader Smirnoff. This has been a fast growing segment, as the comparably priced New Amsterdam and Platinum 7X have been two of the fastest growing vodka brands in recent years. Read more
Review: New Amsterdam Grapefruit Vodka
New Amsterdam Grapefruit Vodka was just released. This is their tenth flavored vodka. At one time they also made a Citron Flavored Vodka. Grapefruit is a very popular flavored vodka in fact this is the 24th Grapefruit Flavored vodka I’ve reviewed. Only Raspberry 25, Peach 25, and Orange 30 have been reviewed more. Launched in 2011 the New Amsterdam Vodka brand has seen meteoric growth with last years sales surpassing 5.36 million cases. New Amsterdam is now the third best selling brand of vodka sold in the US. Only Tito’s and Smirnoff sell more. New Amsterdam Grapefruit Vodka is 5-times distilled from the finest grains , then filtered three times. Natural ruby red grapefruit and other natural flavors are infused before bottling at 70 proof. Read more