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Domestic Vodka 2011
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Best Domestic Vodka - 2011
The Tasting:
At Beacon in NYC, 28 journalists, retailers and aficionados tasted 28 small batch handcrafted American vodkas. The products were served "blindly", without distractions of brand names. The order of service was randomly selected through a lottery system. Each of the vodkas were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Ice water on the side, bread and crackers were available to cleanse the palate. There were four flights of seven vodkas each. Food was served during a break after the second flight.
The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded based on a set range of final point scores received from the judges. The tasting notes are summaries of the judges’ opinions. Prices quoted are for 750ml sizes in 2011. Prices will vary by state and does not include sales tax.
Here are the final results:
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DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
1. Prairie Organic- (Minnesota)- $25
Certified organic #2 yellow corn based
Pastry dough vanilla nose, caramel, vanilla, cream, coconut, dried herbs, fruit, silky, smooth, sweet, assertive, inviting, distinctive, delicious, lovely, full-bodied, herbal hot finish.
Double Gold Medal
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2. Valentine- (Michigan)- $30
Blend of barley, Red Michigan Wheat, and corn
Vanilla, nutmeg, butterscotch, honey, toffee, creamy, buttery, grain, mineral, smooth, velvety, delicate, dry, nice, clean, peppermint, mellow, light sweet finish.
Double Gold Medal
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3. Dry Fly- (Washington)- $30
Locally sourced wheat-based, fresh mountain water
Vanilla nose, anise, licorice, butterscotch, cotton candy, citrus, nutty, spicy, black pepper, intense, slightly sweet, distinctively different, off-dry, robust, light-bodied, great smooth finish.
Double Gold Medal
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GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
Beyond- (California)- $18
Grain-based, special filtration
Vanilla, floral, spicy, sweet, subtle, velvety, smooth, delicate, vibrant, clean, gentle, intense, classic, full-bodied, peppery finish.
Gold Medal
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Cooper's Chase- (Nebraska)- $14
Grain-based
Butterscotch, creamy, vanilla, citrus, anise, dried herbs, potato skin, hint of pepper, white pepper, smooth, sweet, delicate, clean, complex, balanced, sweet hot spice finish.
Gold Medal
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Heart of the Hudson- (New York)- $40
NY State Hudson Valley apples based, twice distilled
Fragrant grassy nose, peppery, anise, butterscotch, candy-cane, caramel, sweet, fruity, floral, buttery, silky, smooth, subtle, crisp, pleasant, different, full-bodied, even on palate, slightly sharp finish.
Gold Medal
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SAVVY- (Texas)- $20
Grain-based, distilled five-times through charcoal, natural spring water
Butterscotch, candied, vanilla, caramel, creamy, smooth, sweet, spicy, floral, pine needles with butter, clean, subtle, lovely, balanced, medium-bodied, nicely smooth with comfy heat.
Gold Medal
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Most Wanted- (Missouri)- $13
Grain-based, slow-filtration
Herbs, spicy, citrus, wet stone, smooth, dry, velvety, excellent, sharp, intense, balanced, sweet & pepper finish.
Gold Medal
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Sloop Betty- (Maryland)- $32
Sugar cane and wheat-based
Anise, lemon, grassy, floral, nutty, spice, some pepper, dry, light, delicate, elegant, vibrant, clean, very smooth, velvety, complex, exciting, balanced, medium-bodied, good for mixing.
Gold Medal
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Southern- (Georgia)- $13
Corn-based, slow carbon filtration
Anise nose, citrus, almond, pepper, basil, soft, light, perfumy, smooth, dry, sharp, medium-bodied, nice finish, bitter caramel that ends smooth and buttery.
Gold Medal
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Teton Glacier- (Idaho)- $25
Idaho potatoes, filtered through garnet and crystal, Rocky Mountain well water
Grain, floral, almond, mineral, wet stone, mild spice, sweet, approachable, aggressive, dry, smooth, light, clean finish, very nice, full-bodied.
Gold Medal
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Vermont Gold- (Vermont)- $38
Sugar from maple sap, triple-distilled, lightly filtered
Nice nose, approachable, vanilla, bit of fruit, butterscotch, cream, honey, floral, maple walnut, butternut, hint of citrus, peppermint, sweet, smooth, velvety, full-bodied, long finish.
Gold Medal
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SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:
Bootlegger- (New York)- $25
Corn-based
Almond oil, peppery, nutty notes, hint of hazelnut, potato, mineral, smooth, light, clean, sharp, assertive, delicate, balanced, medium-bodied, mossy, sweetness in the finish.
Silver Medal
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River Baron- (Iowa)- $30
Blend of corn and wheat based
Full sweet nose, butterscotch, vanilla, buttery, cotton candy, banana, nutty, sweet butter, pepper, light spice, smooth, velvety, assertive, very light, really good, perfect.
Silver Medal
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Death's Door- (Wisconsin)- $30
Organic hard red winter wheat based
Smooth, velvety, silky, creamy, butter, honey, spicy, some citrus, grass, pepper, mineral, white pepper, elegant, alluring, assertive, lively, off-dry, nice, medium to full-bodied, even finish.
Silver Medal
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Peabody Jones- (Washington)- $30
Washington State organic soft winter wheat based
Sweet peppermint nose, mint, schnapps, creamy, floral, caramel, butterscotch, toffee, vanilla, candy-cane, nice, sweet, smooth, silky, stoic, dangerous mixer.
Silver Medal
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UV 80- (Minnesota)- $13
Grain-based, water purified with "three bed de-ionization process", 4x carbon filtered
Vanilla, cream, peach, honeysuckle, wheat, bread, mineral, peppery, complex, spicy, oily, assertive, crisp, lively, alluring, balanced, very smooth, velvety, medium-bodied.
Silver Medal
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Enchanted Rock- (Texas)- $18
Grain-based, 6x distilled, natural limestone-filtered water
Grass & citrus nose, wet stone, spicy, green, some ginger, white pepper bite, nice, welcoming, dry, soft, light, delicate, approachable, warm fruity finish with teeth.
Silver Medal
1860s Genuine American Vodka- (Missouri)- $30
Grain-based, 5x mesquite charcoal filtered
Spicy, citrusy, mint with vanilla, mixed pepper, silky, smooth, delicate, elegant, intense, dry, complex, yummy, late butter finish.
Silver Medal
Brandon's- (Arkansas)- $30
Arkansas soft red winter wheat based
Lemony, fruity, vanilla, caramel, sweet, crisp, spicy, grain, silky, vibrant, off-dry, oily, smooth, delicate, elegant, medium-bodied, warm finish.
Silver Medal
Vision- (Oregon)- $30
Wheat-based, Cascade Mountain spring water, 5x distilled
Tangy, citrus, floral, dusty, fluffy, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, white peppercorn, nice, approachable, velvety, subtle, light, lively, hot finish.
Silver Medal
BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS:
Twenty 2- (Maine)- $28
Wheat-based, Northern Maine water, charcoal filtered
Subtle, nutty, black pepper, fruity, peppery, light, balanced, smooth.
Bronze Medal
Bardenay- (Ohio)- $20
Brown sugar cane based
Peppery, lemongrass, potato, cayenne, sweet, elegant, smooth, silky, dry, approachable, lively, aggressive, balanced, full-bodied, nice even strong heat and finish.
Bronze Medal
Crater Lake- (Oregon)- $27
Grain-based, Cascade Mountain water, filtered 10x through charcoal and lava rock
Caramel, a little cinnamon, sharp, tart, spicy, silky, very smooth, interesting, full-bodied, late warmth.
Bronze Medal
Americana- (New Jersey)- $30
Grain-based, NJ water, charcoal filtered
Anise, peppercorn, herb, buttery flowers, mossy, grain, creamy, sweet, spicy, quite smooth, velvety, intense, strong, medium-bodied, peppery finish.
Bronze Medal
Plantation- (Georgia)- $16
Blend of Southern grain and corn based, aquifer water naturally filtered through limestone
Anise, dry, lemon, white peppercorn, green olives, grassy, spicy, velvety, mellow, complex, medium-bodied.
Bronze Medal
Deep Eddy Straight- (Texas)- $18
Barley-based, Texas spring water, 10x distilled
Grain, pastry dough, maple, nutty, spicy, smooth, dry, clean, intense, sharp, biting, good balance, nice finish.
Bronze Medal
Disclaimer: This section of the website is intended for visitors 21 years of age and older.
If you are not of legal drinking age, please exit by clicking here.
Please drink responsibly!
Comments or questions welcome, please e-mail to: editor@thefiftybest.com
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Add a comment or suggestion to this list.
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Sun. April 15, 2012 4:07 PM - by: Roger Baer
Where is Blue Ice Vodka ? Rated 94, distilled by Master Distiller Bill Scott, Distilled Resources, Rigby, Idaho. One of the best potato vodka's out there.
Mon. January 30, 2012 5:15 PM - by: Benjamin
I will also second the River Baron from Mississippi River Distillery. We live in Wisconsin and drive across state just to get this spirit. Absolutely awesome in specialty sodas.
Mon. October 3, 2011 6:21 PM - by: Steve
I love the River Baron from Mississippi River Distillery in IA! The rest of their products are top notch as well.
Sat. September 10, 2011 9:16 PM - by: Kelly
I second the recommendation for River Baron! It's the best I have ever tasted.
Sun. August 28, 2011 3:59 PM - by: Jeff
Love River Baron Vodka, made in the Quad Cities, LeClaire, Iowa. Mississippi River Distilling. They also make great gin and whiskey.
Fri. July 22, 2011 11:57 AM - by: JB2
Love the Twenty 2 vodka. Surprised it didn't do even better than bronze
Tue. July 12, 2011 2:38 PM - by: Lea M.
1860's is by far the best! Try it - it rocks!
Tue. July 12, 2011 7:46 AM - by: JB
Where the heck is Tito's? It destroys all of these imposters!!!
Mon. July 11, 2011 3:10 PM - by: Rooster
There is a little State out West. It's called IDAHO. I believe Bardenay is in there and not Ohio. Nor is it in Iowa or Sun Valley.
Mon. July 11, 2011 11:23 AM - by: Dr. CK Walker
Love Dry Fly!!