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February 20, 2023

Review: Black Band Vodka

by Jeff Ellingson

Black Band Vodka is crafted at Black Band Distillery in Peoria Illinois.  They also produce a Gin, Bourbon, Rye, Whiskey and Coffee Liqueur.  Peoria was once hailed the whiskey capital of the world.  Prohibition ended that.  Peoria native and principal distiller Chris Ober began studying Peoria’s history of distilling and researching different distillation and fermentation processes in 2006.  He acquired a century old building in the historic warehouse district of Peoria in 2017.  Construction began in 2018.  In 2020 whiskey production began.  Black Band Distillery opened their doors the Spring of 2021 and now includes a farm to table restaurant and cocktail bar.  Along the way Chris attended courses on distillation at Kothe Distillationstechnik, and Siebel Institute of Technology for Craft Distilling.  He also worked a one on one apprenticeship with Master Distiller Robert Birnecker at Kovel Distillery in Chicago.  Black Band Vodka is crafted from 100% Warthog wheat on a 5000L Kothe Hybrid Still.  The aroma leads with vanilla, and butterscotch.  The sweet vanilla entry is joined by wheat bread building to a vanilla, citrus, and butterscotch peak.  It fades with butterscotch pudding and Wheaties cereal finishing with mineral, vanilla, citrus peel, and white pepper.

Made in Peoria Illinois

40% Alcohol

Score: 91

Award: Gold Medal

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