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OYO Stone Fruit Vodka
Distiller Score 91
A warm inviting nose of Christmas spice, nougat, and baked cherry fruit intermingle on this very aromatic vodka. The palate retains a healthy dose of both juicy fruit flavor and bright fruit acidity at first sip and then relaxes into flavors of tea and marzipan. A unique but delicious take on flavored vodka that is certainly influenced by the incredibly high quality of its ingredients. With only the addition of soda water it is a sophisticated cocktail in its self.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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St. George Green Chile Vodka
Distiller Score 95
The aromatics of St. George Green Chile Vodka are simply incredible. Layers of pepper spice and capsicum balance off of citrus zest and tangy cilantro. It makes one want to reach for tortilla chips! The plate has a clean entry before building to an intensely hot peppery sensation and then a clean, slightly sweet peppery finish. There is a bit of heat in the mid-palate, but this is not a drink for daredevils only. Make a Bloody Mary for your friends with it and become a local legend.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Purity Spritz Mediterranean Citrus
Distiller Score 87
The color of the vodka is a medium orange-pink and it shows an intense citrus aroma from the moment you open the bottle. Digging deeper on the nose, you don't find much of a difference--the citrus notes dominate, particularly the orange peels. The taste is moderately sweet and full with a slight slickness, but as you'll be adding bubbles of some kind, this is to be expected. The palate shows gentle floral notes that were hard to find on the nose. The finish is more sweet than bitter and delivers what it already has shown--citrus and floral notes. If you'd like to make a cocktail rather than a Spritz, try this in a Cosmopolitan.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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St. George All Purpose Vodka
Distiller Score 89
St. George All Purpose Vodka has a very attractive nose with faint tones of orchard fruit intermingling with more forceful flavors of toasted grains and earth. On tasting, the pear distillate becomes more recognizable and evokes applesauce and Bartlett pear. The finish is very smooth with very little impression of alcohol but it does show a bit of sweetness. Although labeled as all-purpose, the fruit tones are very pleasant, but may throw the taste of some classic cocktails out of balance.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Haku Vodka
Distiller Score 89
Look for aromas of crisp, fresh pear and citrus blossom on the nose. The Haku Vodka has a soft, appealing texture that envelops the palate, along with a slightly starchy and sweet flavor. It lingers with a pleasant, peppery tingle.
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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Hanson of Sonoma Ginger Vodka
Distiller Score 79
The intense aromatics of this vodka show very distinct tones of fresh-cut ginger with spicy high tones and earthy bass notes. Unfortunately the palate has much less of the infusion present and the sweetness of the grape spirit base all but dominates the ginger character. In cocktails this would add an interesting bouquet, but not extremely interesting on its own.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka
Distiller Score 92
OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka is dominated on the nose by notes of creamy vanilla that read true to the bean and not derived of process. Wisps of wildflower peak through, but make no mistake that vanilla is driving the car. The palate is rich and luscious with the honey’s sweetness adding sugar and increasing the body. The finish returns to vanilla bean and quite pleasant at that. If you are looking for a vanilla vodka you’d be hard pressed to find a better example. If there is a complaint, it is the infusing process has covered up many of the grain flavors that this distillery so admirably creates.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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St. Augustine Florida Cane Vodka
Distiller Score 87
The sugarcane base imposes a pleasant confectionary character of vanilla custard and yellow cake to this tasty vodka. The palate has very good weight and fills the mouth with its slightly sweet but neutral flavors. The finish is pure and strong with very little impression of alcohol. A very competent vodka that would be a perfect fit in many cocktails.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Hanson of Sonoma Cucumber Vodka
Distiller Score 80
The cucumber infusion is only lightly detectable on the nose, but smells authentic and not chemical. The palate shows more cucumber character but also a surprising amount of fruitiness from the grape-based distillate. The finish is remarkably easy for a full proof vodka, but a strange amount of sweetness sneaks in. Perhaps a product best used in a Bloody Mary.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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VDKA 6100
Distiller Score 90
VDKA 6100 is neutral on the nose, with just a hint of sweet vanilla aroma. Fatty, sweet almond follows on the palate before finishing with a mild twinge of anise spice. Characteristics of the whey with which it's distilled shine through a rich, creamy texture that coats the tongue. The texture and sweet neutrality of this vodka lends itself well to spirit-forward classic cocktails like the Martini or Vesper.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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OYO Vodka
Distiller Score 90
The wheat base is immediately apparent on the nose which shows a complex mix of warm caramel, toasted vanilla, and hot, buttered wheat toast. The palate is mid-bodied and hints at the indulgent flavors nosed before finishing dry with a lingering echo of grain laced with spicy tones of cinnamon. A very tasty and complete drink with several layers of flavor.
Reviewed by John Rankin