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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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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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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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Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka
Distiller Score 93
On the nose this vodka does a fantastic job of recreating the sweet, vegetal aroma of fresh-cut cucumbers. That freshness also comes through in its flavor, which is crisp and juicy with just a hint of spice from the underlying spirit. It manages to avoid any feel of contrived flavor or aroma—a problem that's often present with cucumber flavorings. This vodka would be particularly good as a summer highball, mixed with soda and garnished with a sprig of mint.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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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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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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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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Sinpatch Vodka
Distiller Score 91
The nose is similar to hot cereal that is cooked with raisins. The palate is pleasantly grainy and viscous, with well integrated cereal flavors and a touch of fruity sweetness. The finish is somewhat rich, with very little acetone harshness.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Cascade Alchemy Chai Tea Flavored Vodka
Distiller Score 90
This is a lightly-filtered vodka with some spice still present in the finished product. No matter — after lightly shaking they incorporate into the nut-brown hue of the spirit. The nose is powerful and exotic with a blast of clove, cinnamon, and steeping tea. The palate has moderate sweetness and actually does a very good job of aping the flavors of a chai latte. The distiller recommends a White Russian to be made with this vodka. It would certainly be a decadent treat and is one of few spirits that blends well with milk.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Humboldt's Finest Hemp Infused Vodka
Distiller Score 90
A huge herbal nose leaps from this glass with intense aromas of fresh pine needles, lemongrass, and matcha tea. The kaleidoscope of botanical notes create a vodka that smells more like a gin. In the mouth more weedy flavors bounce around but are calmed by the sugarcane spirit’s sweetness and the vodka’s spicy finish.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Central Standard Vodka
Distiller Score 90
The nose of this vodka is very attractive and has sweet scents of toasted marshmallow and buttercream that are deftly balanced with rye grain spice. The palate is fairly rich and echoes sweet flavors without being overtly saccharine. The finish is dry and has a further burst of rye spice. A very capable all-around vodka that will mix well and even drink nicely on its own with a chill.
Reviewed by John Rankin