Review: RFD Vodka
Addie and Timothy Ford purchased 22 acres known as Grandview Heights in 2017 and immediately began to transform the land into a specialty crop farm growing vegetables, fruits, berries, and herbs. They began onsite spirit production December 2018 and named their farm distillery Grandview Distillery. In 2020 they rebranded to Barnstormer Distillery to pay homage to Rockford’s, and the owners aviation history. They currently produce several vodka’s, bourbon, whiskey, 3 rums, and 40 Winks Cinnamon Whiskey. RFD Vodka is named for the Chicago Rockford International Airport which the distillery overlooks. RFD is made from 100% corn distilled multiple times in a column still then sent through a Bain Marie still. The spirit is filtered using coconut shell activated carbon then reduced to proof before bottling. The aroma leads with roasted corn, unpeeled white grapefruit, and herbs. The sweet citrus and vanilla entry is joined by herbal notes building to a lemon and roasted corn peak. It fades with saline, lemon peel, vanilla cream soda, charcoal grilled corn, and pepper.
Made in Rockford Illinois
40% Alcohol
Score: 86
Award: Bronze Medal