Review: Jackscrew Vodka
Jackscrew Vodka is crafted at Wolf Point Distilling in Chicago Illinois. Wolf Point takes its name from where the North, South, and Main branches of the Chicago River meet. After four years of planning Pavlos Dafnis and Victoria Polvino opened their distillery in the Industrial Kenzie Corridor November 2021. They currently also produce bourbon, gin, flavored vodka, and moonshine. Each is named for a Chicago Landmark or tale from the city’s past. Jackscrew Vodka is named for one of the boldest architectural and engineering feats of the 19th century. In the 1800’s Chicago’s elevation rested at the shores of Lake Michigan preventing natural drainage. Swamp like conditions developed and triggered a series of plagues that claimed the lives of roughly 6% of the population. In the 1850’s engineers established a city wide sewer and storm system that required the cities infrastructure to be physically lifted 4 to 14 feet higher requiring jackscrews to be synchronized in movement. By 1860 in just 5 days engineers raised more than half a city block using 6000 jackscrews. Jackscrew Vodka is produced from sourced GNS made from a blend of corn and wheat. A small head cut is made and the spirit is run through multiple charcoal filters before bottling. The nose leads with floral, lemon, and Wheaties cereal. The vanilla and creamy wheat entry has a soft mouth feel. Sweet corn arrives building to a bright lemon peak. It fades with lemon juice and wheat bread, and finishes semi-dry with lemon peel, vanilla, Wheaties, anise, and white pepper.
Made in Chicago
40% Alcohol
Score: 89
Award: Silver Medal