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Stolichnaya Vodka
Distiller Score 94
The aroma is moderately robust with bright grain notes and a gentle citrus backnote. The mouthfeel is round and sweet initially and finishes spicy and crisp. Bittersweet ending. A solid vodka to drink neat or otherwise especially if you prefer robust and not totally neutral vodkas.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Wheatley Vodka
Distiller Score 90
We all know that Buffalo Trace can make world class whiskey but what about vodka? The answer is a triumphant yes. Wheatley Vodka shows complex aromas of earthy, toasted grains and yellow cake. The palate is rich and bold bolstered by its couple of extra degrees of alcohol. Here, more flavors of baked wheat contribute to an almost chewy texture. The finish packs a little bit of heat but the impression is more mineral and spicy than unpleasant. This is a vodka who’s merits can be enjoyed on its own properly chilled.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Ketel One Vodka
Distiller Score 90
A fairly robust aroma of grain found on the nose. Tasting is fairly full and soft. The wheat flavor is light and peppery. The finish is clean and the vodka has a long finish. One to sip or mix in a fine cocktail.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Koskenkorva Vodka
Distiller Score 93
Mild, sweet cereal grain greets you on the nose. The vodka feels soft in the mouth with a medium full body with and a touch of oil. The vodka is on the neutral and clean side of the spectrum with the gentle sweet barley continuing on the palate. One you could easily toss back as is.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Russian Standard Platinum
Distiller Score 85
Compared to the standard bottling, this too has a pleasant grain cracker aroma, but the intensity is dialed down even more here. The body is on the light side with a slightly slick feel. The finish is on the bittersweet side and is grain forward, but again leaning on the neutral side of things. A personal choice as to whether you are going for neutrality or not and if you are looking for a vodka that will linger as this will not.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Nemiroff Original Vodka
Distiller Score 90
This wheat-based vodka is slightly sweet on the nose. Though it maintains a pleasant neutral sweetness immediately on the palate, it also has a hint of spice. This would be a good all-purpose vodka for everything from Highballs to Martinis.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Cardinal Spirits Vodka
Distiller Score 91
For a vodka this spirit carries a fairly pungent, albeit pleasant, nose with tones of beurre blanc, fresh apricot, and marzipan. The palate has impressive body and echoes the rich and sweet flavors found on the nose. The finish turns on the spice and shows a bit of earthiness which is a balancing foil to the vodka’s more indulgent flavors. Quite lovely on it’s own, but would add an indulgent weight to many cocktails.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Deep Eddy Lime
Distiller Score 94
A pale green jade color meets the eye as aromas of fresh lime and subtle sweetness emerge from the glass. The flavor is very much akin to fresh limeade or (or melted sherbet!) prepared a bit on the tart side, with just a slight hint of sweetness. There's nothing astringent or very synthetic-tasting about it—one would swear it's just vodka that someone squeezed a fresh lime into with just a bit of sugar. All it really needs is some ice cubes, maybe a splash of soda, and definitely a hot day and a comfortable spot to sit and sip.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Russian Standard Vodka
Distiller Score 86
Russian Standard Vodka is a good example of a wheated vodka. Gentle toasted notes on the aroma with a bit of sweetness which extends on the palate with that Wheat Thin flavor. Just enough to help with the bite of the 80 proof vodka. Average mouthfeel with some slickness and clean finish of moderate length. This is the Goldilocks vodka. Not intensely flavored or spicy, but not nothing either. Versatile and great value.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Absolut Vodka
Distiller Score 94
Putting your nose to the glass you get a gentle, sweet wheat aroma. It is very gentle in the mouth with a softness to the vodka. The mild wheat notes continue on the taste with just the tiniest of bites on the finish. Warming as you finish the drink. Classic and definitely one to add to the list if you prefer more neutral vodkas.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Crop Organic Meyer Lemon Vodka
Distiller Score 91
The aroma of this vodka is so sweet and acidic that you can almost feel the twinge of lemon on your tongue as you smell. But, true to the flavor of meyer lemons, on the palate, it's mildly sweet with just a touch of acidity and a lovely roundness. It sits nicely on the tongue for a few moments before dissipating. It also manages to avoid any overwhelming sense that you're drinking a cleaning product.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Prairie Organic Vodka
Distiller Score 86
This vodka has a pleasant nose of ripe orchard fruit, fresh meadow flower, and slightly toasted cereal. The initial taste hints at sweetness, but that soon dissipates into a pleasant burn. A very admirable neutral vodka that is light bodied and easily mixable with clean, precise flavors.
Reviewed by John Rankin