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In the March/April 2010 issue, Imbibe contributing editor Paul Clarke delves into often-maligned world of vodka, shedding light on craft bartenders and distillers who are daring to give the spirit new life behind the bar. We recently did a blind tasting of some of the many vodkas lining liquor store shelves these days, and while there are 12 brands you can read about in the magazine, here are a baker's dozen additional bottles worth checking out.
Belvedere $25
This mellow and approachable Polish vodka has sweet, maple aromas, a creamy mouthfeel and flavor notes of vanilla and caramel.
Blue Angel $25
Smooth and light with a slightly sweet aroma and flavor, this quadruple-distilled vodka from famed inventor and organic chemist Maurice Kanbar is crafted from a mix of American grains.
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Blue Ice $20
Distilled from Idaho russets, this smooth, earthy vodka from 21st Century Spirits offers notes of cinnamon and a touch of spice on the finish.
Cold River $40
Dulce de leche aromas attract from the get-go in this vodka from Maine. Notes of sweetened condensed milk and caramel make it a good candidate for fruit or spice infusions.
Crystal Head $35
This quadruple-distilled vodka is clean and balanced with fruity aromas and a hint of green pepper and spice on the finish.
Death’s Door $35
A dynamic vodka with big floral aromas and tequila-like flavors of citrus and salt, this copper-pot distilled vodka is made with certified-organic wheat from Wisconsin.
North Shore $30
Chicago’s own micro-distillery crafts this lightly sweet vodka with notes of fresh flowers and citrus. Smooth and balanced.
Reyka $20
From a geothermic-steam-powered distillery in Iceland comes this lava rock-filtered vodka with notes of lemon and jalapeño. Perfect for spicing up your next Bloody Mary.
Silver Tree $40
This unfiltered vodka from Leopold Bros. is super-smooth on the front end with a slight bitterness on the finish. Light, clean and a tasty addition to vodka cocktails.
Smirnoff $14
The pioneering vodka in the U.S. is often overlooked in favor of pricier vodkas, but in a blind tasting, Smirnoff demonstrates why it’s still a major player. With a yeasty, bready aroma, a light body and a spicy tang, it has a crisp spark but is lean and dry.
Sobieski $12
A rye-based vodka from Poland, Sobieski has a lean, grassy aroma and a light, crisp body, with a gentle, bready flavor and a dry snap of grain.
Van Gogh Blue $28
This Dutch vodka is soft and textured with notes of almond and spice.
Vodka 7000 $30
Copper pot distilled in small batches, this oat vodka from Park City, Utah’s High West Distillery is rich and creamy with notes of tart apple and earthy minerals.
TAGS:
RECIPE: Vesper
RECIPE: Granadilla Cocktail
RECIPE: White Russian
RECIPE: Blue Dahlia Cocktail
Read Paul Clarke's story on vodka's new momentum behind the bar.
For more tasting notes and delicious vodka-based recipes, check out the March/April 2010 issue.
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