Review: Eleven Lakes Vodka
Eleven Lakes Vodka is crafted at Yankee Distillers in the heart of Saratoga County across the street from Shmalz Brewing Co. in Clifton Park New York. Eleven Lakes is named for the eleven Finger Lakes that lie within a triangle between Syracuse, Rochester, and Elmira-Corning. The distillery was founded by Matt Jager, Walter Kleemeier, and Scott Luning and opened July 2015. All three previously worked at Albany Distilling Company. Matt a former Business School Teacher at The College of Saint Rose Co-Founded Albany Distilling Co. with John Curtin. Yankee Distillers is a New York State Farm Distillery and as such they are required to use a minimum of 75% NYS raw materials in their spirits. They currently make rye, bourbon, white rum, amber rum and vodka. Eleven Lakes Vodka is made from Finger Lakes wheat grown on Inverness Farms and malted wheat from Valley Malt Farms. It is small batch distilled on a custom Italian made copper still at their 9000 foot facility. The aroma leads with wheat grain, malt, vanilla, and sliced grapefruit. Additional time brings out dark chocolate. The citrus and whole wheat bread entry is joined by vanilla and malt building to a sweet citrus and milky malt peak. It fades with mocha and lemon and finishes with lemon peel, malted wheat, and pepper.
Made in Clifton Park New York
40% Alcohol
Score: 92
Award: Gold Medal