This past March I attended the Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas. As I have in the past, I wrote an article on all of our findings, and you can read that here on Eve’s Wine 101. As an addition to the article, I was given a few bottles of spirits for review, and this is the article on those: one vodka from New Zealand and distilled from whey, two bottles of different American vodkas that are distilled from corn and a final dessert vodka. I tasted them on my own, and again with friends. These are our collective notes:
VDKA 6100 Vodka
Distilled from Whey – promising no hangover – and made in New Zealand, this was new to me and I will be buying my next bottle. My gal pal said it was “totally freakin’ different” compared to a harsh vodka, with Mandarin orange notes and no burn on the palate. I also noted the citrus fruit and a sweet finish. This was one I went back to later and sipped on its own when the tasting was complete.
@VKDAVodka on Instagram
From their Facebook page:
Made with fresh seasonal whey and natural spring water from Reporoa, New Zealand, one of the most pristine places in the world. VDKA 6100 is finely distilled and filtered through a bed of carbon to eliminate all impurities. The result is a clean, light exceptionally smooth taste with hints of floral and citrus notes. VDKA 6100 is remarkably pure vodka that is gluten-free, sugar-free and lactose-free. 40% Alc/Vol. Imported by VDKA 6100, Manhasset, NY
https://www.facebook.com/VDKA6100
White Claw Vodka
Building on some undeniable brand awareness, White Claw, of hard seltzer fame, has distilled a very creamy vodka from corn. We found the nose to be light, the palate sweet, with a slight flavor of yellow corn and very balanced. This one surprised me. It was smooth enough that I could enjoy this alone, or in a cocktail.
@WhiteClaw on Instagram
From their website:
White ClawTM Spirits Premium Vodka. The world’s first Triple Wave Filtered™ vodka. Filtered three times using the pressure equal to a 30-foot wave, it’s vodka reimagined for a superior, smoother finish. Best served crashing over ice with soda at sunset.
https://www.whiteclaw.com/products/premium-vodka
Ringside Vodka
Distilled from corn this vodka was creamy, warming, with notes of white pepper, creamed corn and a long finish. I would like this in a cocktail or just a refreshing Vodka Tonic.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076182191159
https://www.ringsidevodka.com/
XXI Martinis Chocolate Peppermint (seasonal flavor)
So yummy, I wondered, could I put in my coffee? The ABV is low, but the flavor is high – full of yummy chocolate and peppermint. Perfect by itself, on the rocks, or with a little espresso for one of those popular Espresso Martinis we all know and love! At the last expo I fell in love with their Chocolate Martini!
https://www.facebook.com/xximartinis
From the website:
This is no simple confection. Decadent, dark, bittersweet chocolate and fresh, cool peppermint meet the pristine smoothness of premium vodka, transforming the simple martini into a masterpiece. Let the indulgence begin.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 17k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Las Vegas Proof Awards, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
