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Chopin Potato Vodka
Distiller Score 92
Chopin Potato Vodka has a dark, earthy aroma to be found but you have to really dig your nose in the glass to get it. The vodka is full, but soft on the palate with very little slickness on the mouth. An overall savory profile, the vodka has a little bite on the finish along with a gentle earthy finish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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St. George California Citrus Vodka
Distiller Score 91
The effusive nose on St. George California Citrus Vodka brings back happy childhood memories of orange creamsicles and sorbet, but the palate comes on surprisingly dry with no perceptible sweetness. What it lacks is saccharin is made up for with more layers of bright orange and a bit of earthy pith. The finish ends with a faint spice and a hint of drying tannins.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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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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Chopin Wheat Vodka
Distiller Score 96
A moderately intense aroma of Wheat Thins fills your senses as you put your nose to the glass. As you taste, you can actually taste the wheat flavor which is a good thing. Which is not to say that the flavor is overwhelming or distracting. It's wheat, after all. Only slightly sweet on the tongue, the finish is dry, clean, and light. Refreshing even. A really good example of a wheat vodka. To be had neat, in a dry martini, however you like.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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Nikka Coffey Vodka
Distiller Score 94
There's a faint fruity note like white peaches. It is just a whisper. The vodka is soft and full on your palate with a hint of cereal flakes and a clean finish. No rough edges. It's gentle like being tucked in with a goose down comforter. This is a special vodka--those of you who prefer to take your vodka neat should add this to your shopping lists.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Absolut Watermelon
Distiller Score 86
The bottle is a little deceiving as this is a clear, not watermelon-colored, vodka. That said, the aroma is very clearly watermelon even from a distance. Overall the finish has a little alcohol bite, but watermelon is the only focus here. It's not sweet on its own as there is no sugar added so it delivers what is promised. Enjoy with club soda and a squeeze of lemon or lime or a bit of strawberry lemonade if you want a watermelon sugar high.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Crystal Head Vodka
Distiller Score 80
Crystal Head Vodka is a competent corn-based vodka with aromatics of cake frosting and toasted corn. The palate is fairly light and has a notable sweet note that ends in a finish that shows a bit of alcohol heat. Not altogether bad but if you aren’t interested in the bottle shape, skip it.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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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