I’ve tasted a lot of vodka over the years. Flavorless and colorless are two descriptors assigned to it most often in spirit education courses. But, when you taste vodka over a period of time you can detect certain nuances, things that make them differ, and in the case with Neft, stand above the pack.
For most tasters, beginners to experts, it’s the alcohol burn that sets them apart. Inexpensive vodka can be quite harsh – lots of burn – while other more sought after brands – have little to no burn, but also have some interesting qualities. Neft is one of those.
When my sample arrived I was immediately surprised at the tin container it came in. Did some reading and learned that the tin cylinder leaves less of a carbon imprint, it’s not breakable and will stay cold longer. The sample also came with instructions for tasting. As I’ve said I’ve tasted plenty, but in the essence of a true vodka lover I followed their suggestions: how long to chill it, the type of glass to use, to try alone and not in a cocktail, how to nose the vodka, etc. This is the result:
As instructed we didn’t freeze, only chilled in freezer for an hour before sampling. Tasted neat and in a small glass:
Observation in glass: clear and clean, like a finely filtered water. No minerals or impurities.
Aroma from two inches away and swirling: reminded me of a a very fine sake, like a daiginjo where the sake rice has been milled down to 50%. With a gentle sweetness, as well as a creaminess, and some slightly buttery and even nutty notes.
Flavor: Smooth, burn on the mid palate only and not immediate. Still reminding me of a fine cold sake but of course, this is definitely a smooth and creamy vodka. The mouthfeel makes me want to sip alone, not masked by ingredients in a cocktail or even with ice. If I hold on the palate, the way whisky master blender Richard Patterson instructs for tasting single malt scotch, the mouthfeel only becomes rounder and more balanced.
Conclusion: This is not your mother’s vodka. This is a whole new generation, and a new level, of sippingvodka. 99 Eve points.
From Neft:
NEFT IS MADE FROM THE PUREST INGREDIENTS
NEFT is made from only four non-GMO European ryes and the purest water from the Austrian Alps. No additives. No sweeteners.
Our four grains of ancient rye species (Amato, Askari, Rasant and Pollino) are used in our proprietary blend. When brought together, the result is an award-winning taste with unprecedented smoothness.
It takes fifty years for the water we use to make its way from its source to our secured aquifer. During this time, gravity slowly draws the most important ingredient of our vodka through slate and granite. As it slowly seeps through crystalline rock, it’s purified for decades creating the purest water in the world.
NEFT USES SMALL-BATCH DISTILLING
- NEFT is distilled in Lustenau, Austria near the Rhine River and Switzerland Border.
- Our distillery has been perfecting small-batch, curated spirits for over 130 years.
- NEFT is distilled three times in a copper-pot still.
- We use a proprietary activated, carbon-layer filtration process.
NEFT IS AWARD WINNING
Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2019 & 2018
Best Vodka, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2018
98-point rating, The Tasting Panel
92-point rating & Gold Medal, Beverage Testing Institute
Gold Medal, The Fifty Best
Gold Medal, Best Tasting Spirits
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits
