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Belvedere Single Estate Rye: Lake Bartężek
Distiller Score 95
Similar to Belevedere's other single-estate Dankowskie Diamond Rye release in 2017, this one starts off with hints of crisp, slightly spicy pepper on the nose. On the palate, there are also notes of pepper, but those are rounded out with a lovely warm walnut-like richness. If you love vodka, this is a must have.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Stolichnaya Elit
Distiller Score 95
Aromatically, it is really difficult to detect much other than a touch of grain. As you taste, the vodka feels like soft water in the mouth. A mild sweetness comes through. The finish displays a light grain spice to it and a bite of alcohol...a nibble really. For those looking for a more neutral style of vodka. Serve very chilled. Dangerously easy to drink.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Purity Vodka Connoisseur 51 Reserve
Distiller Score 93
The aroma shows mild grain and spice notes. It feels soft on the palate and there is little oil found. The taste is fairly neutral with gentle toasted grain notes. The finish is mellow with a slight heat from the alcohol. Clean and pleasant. Would be excellent in a dry Vodka Martini or simply serve on the rocks.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Belvedere Single Estate Rye: Smogóry Forest
Distiller Score 92
On the nose, this rye-based vodka exhibits a hint of pepper, but is otherwise fairly neutral in aroma. It flavor, however, leans into that peppery spice and a bit of salinity. The flavor is full up front, but then fades out nicely, with a slight lasting tingle on the palate. Though it has a bit of spice to it, this vodka would make a lovely spirit forward cocktail like a Martini or Vesper, and would also be a option to drink neat or on the rocks for die-hard vodka fans.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Dutch Tulip Vodka Premium Blend
Distiller Score 88
Incredibly aromatic, with soft and subtle spices accompanied by faint chocolatey notes. Behind all that are floral layers of dried lavender. The palate is lightly spiced, with lots of greener notes, subtle grains and whispers of black licorice. Lots to discover here. Great to drink on ice, but works well in cocktails too.
Reviewed by Thijs Klaverstijn
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Crystal Head Aurora Vodka
Distiller Score 83
The nose on this luxury vodka has notes of cracked grain, dried mint, and vanilla bean. The palate is fairly light and reiterates some of the sweet tones with a touch of spicy rye. This is overall a very clean vodka with a touch of alcoholic heat but make no mistake that you are paying for the (very cool) packaging.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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The Good Reverend's Universal Spirit
Distiller Score 82
Heavens this is punchy! Big fumes of ethanol masking dainty vanilla. The palate predominantly tastes of charcoal, though there is some malt and graham cracker buried deep. The texture is round and pleasant but the alcohol amps up the impact of this overall. Use for an infusion or craft a new Eye Opener cocktail around this.
Reviewed by Sam Davies
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Crystal Head Onyx
Distiller Score 82
Not much aroma comes through, but the palate is a different story. Green pepper and celery notes are set off by a candy-like tartness (like Sweetarts or even Tums) and subtle florals in the back of the palate. It's quite a hot and acetone-like finish, making it not so pleasant as a neat sipper. But then again, no one was expecting something you drink out of a black skull to be cuddly.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Art in the Age Sweet Potato Vodka
Distiller Score 81
It’s the favorite side at the Thanksgiving table. A bouquet of melted butter, sweet potatoes, and browned sugars. The potatoes take over the palate as it tastes sweet and starchy. The sweetness does scale to near cloying concentration but fades away before it gets too sticky. This seems appropriate as an after dinner drink.
Reviewed by Sam Davies
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Art in the Age Chicory Root Vodka
Distiller Score 80
This is surprisingly delicate considering the strong flavors at play here. A pleasing aroma of chicory and cinnamon, as if you’ve just seasoned a baked good with them. The palate is a little more complex. There’s chicory, nutmeg, cinnamon, and some lingering caramelized sugars as it finishes.
Reviewed by Sam Davies
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HH Bespoke Vodka
Distiller Score 80
Mostly neutral grain spirit aromas, with some lemon peel poking through as well as fresh newsprint. It enters clean, with a slight anise and herbal tang joining the lemon quality. On the sweet side rather than crisp, and finishes persistently citric and sweet.
Reviewed by Jack Robertiello
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Art in the Age Beet Root Vodka
Distiller Score 75
This is an unusual flavor infusion for vodka and it yields equally unusual results. An aroma of beets, malt syrup, and soy. The color and palate are quite concentrated. Tangy sweet beets and soy dominate your tongue. Despite this concentration the texture is lean and juicy. Break out the geeky tonic for this or spike your sarsaparilla.
Reviewed by Sam Davies