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Buffalo Trace is recognized for being the origin of high-end unicorn bottles from brands like Pappy Van Winkle and the Antique Collection, in addition to creating its cost-effective and reliable namesake bourbon. Presently, the Kentucky distillery is debuting a new blend, Traveller Whiskey, backed up by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton.

It’s not the first time Buffalo Trace has collaborated with Stapleton. He chose a few single barrels of E.H. Taylor Jr. in the previous years for the benefit of his charity, Outlaw State of Kind. The real architect behind this whiskey is Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley. Traveller is a blended whiskey, meaning it’s combined from spirits from a variety of “award-winning distilleries” owned by Sazerac, according to the brand. Possible sources include Buffalo Trace itself, A. Smith Bowman, Barton 1792, and maybe some overseas sites. More than 50 blends were trialed before Wheatley decided on the 40th, which is what you will find in this bottle. Unlike Pappy, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, or W.L. Weller, this whiskey will be easily available and unallocated.

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“In creating Traveller, we tried over 50 different recipes, experimenting, testing, and adjusting until we found a complex and approachable flavor profile worthy of the whiskey drinker who will enjoy it,” Wheatley said in a statement. “In the end, there was one clear winner—Blend No. 40—that everyone agreed was worthy to be Traveller Whiskey.” In other words, this is meant to be an accessible, everyday drinker that is more along the lines of Buffalo Trace Bourbon than a limited special release like E.H. Taylor or something from the Experimental Collection.

We got an early taste of Traveller Whiskey, and it’s an appealing sipper that should please both novice and expert whiskey drinkers, with notes of brown sugar, caramel, maple, vanilla, oak, and baked apple on the palate. Thankfully, it’s bottled at 90 instead of 80 proof, and that higher ABV goes a long way in helping to elevate the flavor. You can find Traveller Whiskey starting this month (SRP $40), although it’s not readily available online at the moment. Will Traveller go the way of Weller or Pappy and balloon in price on the secondary market? It seems like that might not be the case, but only time will tell.

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Now that the excitement of the holidays is over, we’re all in need of something to make those cold, dark days of winter a little more fun. Equiano Rum is 100 percent natural rum with no added sugars, colourants or spices. It’s also the world’s first African and Caribbean rum. A spiked hot chocolate made with this true rum is just the thing to warm you up on a cold night.

The Equiano Holiday Gift Box will brighten up a cold winter.

“As the world’s first African & Caribbean rum, the uniqueness in liquids from each location plays an important role in our blend,” say founders Aaisha Dadra and Amanda Kakembo. “In Equiano Original the African component, from Mauritius, is tropically aged in ex-Cognac barrels which offers a natural sweetness to the blend. In Equiano Light, we’ve introduced fresh sugar cane juice rum from Africa which adds a grassiness to the blend. And Barbados produces some of the best rums in the world, so we feel honoured that it’s a key component in both Equiano Original and Equiano Light.”

Ready to make Equiano Spiked Chocolate? Here’s what you need:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 2 cups 2% milk

• 3 tablespoons soft muscovado sugar

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch cinnamon

¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips

2 ounces (¼ cup) Equiano Original Rum

Whipped Cream (Optional)

Method:

The Equiano holiday gift box is available for purchase online – for both the Equiano Original and the Equiano Light. Looking into 2024, Equiano is looking forward to more exceptional rum being enjoyed around the world, more unique blends from Africa and the Caribbean, more limited-edition blends, and more support of emerging African distilleries as they venture beyond the 30 countries they are in today.

The Bloody Mary ranks alongside margaritas and martinis as one of the most recognized cocktails. Noted for its distinctive bold, spicy flavors and a stunning red color, the making of this renowned cocktail begins with a vodka and tomato juice base, with the flavor intrigue brought in by a selection of spices and condiments. Ingredients can vary from common items like hot sauce and lemon juice to more daring choices such as Worcestershire sauce and horseradish.

While the complex and spicy flavor of Bloody Mary garners much attention, vodka plays a pivotal part. Vodka’s clean, neutral taste creates a backdrop for the cocktail’s spices and seasonings to come to the forefront. Precisely because the vodka is not intended to steal the show, there’s no need to opt for high-end brands when making a Bloody Mary. With so many flavors and spices at play, the nuances offered by top-shelf vodkas are likely to get washed out and wasted.

It would be more judicious to go for a more budget-friendly vodka and invest the savings into superior mix ingredients. Consider top-quality tomato juice, fresh lemon or lime juice, gourmet hot sauces, and fresh spices. These are more likely to boost the quality of your Bloody Mary than even the finest vodkas!

Read more: 23 Cocktails To Try If You Like Drinking Gin

The best vodka for your Bloody Mary is one that complements the spices and flavors without stealing the show. Look for mid-range vodkas like Smirnoff, Absolut, or Stolichnaya; they’re well-distilled, providing the needed smoothness and neutrality without breaking the bank.

It’s worth noting that when we say “bottom-shelf vodka,” we don’t mean you should scrape the shelves’ bottoms and buy the absolute cheapest bottles available. Ultra-cheap vodkas often undergo minimal distillation and prioritize cost savings over flavor in their production, resulting in a sharper, more “ethanol-like” taste due to higher levels of fermentation byproducts called congeners. That’s not what you want in your Bloody Mary! A handy rule of thumb is to choose a vodka that you’d enjoy sipping on its own. If it’s smooth when sipped neat, it’s likely to work well in your Bloody Mary.

In case you want to get creative, some bartenders suggest trying flavored vodkas like pepper or citrus-infused types to add an extra flavor kick. But remember, this is entirely up to your taste. Plus, adding flavored vodka to a Bloody Mary can be a bit tricky, as it will affect the balance of flavors. So, it’s a good idea to have a recipe on hand (like this Kimchi Bloody Mary recipe!) to make sure everything tastes just right when you give it a go!

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

2023 was year of eye-popping luxury whisky releases.

This year has been one of crazy whiskey releases as distilleries released rare, old and incredibly special liquid as demand for these luxury bottles rose. These are some of the most impressive whiskeys I’ve seen this year above the $500 mark, while most of them cost much, much more.

According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, during the five years between 2017 and 2022, all spirits categories included in the luxury index (bottles priced at more than $50) increased at an average rate of 21 percent. But anecdotally, it appears that high-end whiskey collection is hotter than ever, with companies like Diageo and Edrington offering bespoke client experiences and American bottles going for prices that were once thought only possible for Scotch [note: prices in this article are release prices, not what they are going for on the secondary market].

And while you should try a dram of one of these if you can get your hands on it, it portends very well for what we’ll be seeing in 2024.

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series The Sherry Collection

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series, The Sherry Edition, $37,000

The Dalmore launched the first set in a four-year program of rare whisky collections this year with The Sherry Edition. Each of the 150 sets come in a leather travel case holding the three expressions: A 26 Year Old finished in a rare Gonzalez Byass 2002 vintage, a 28 Year Old finished in a Gonzalez Byass 30 Year Old Matusalem Sherry Cask and a 43 Year Old, finished in very rare Gonzalez 30 year old Apostoles Sherry Cask. The collection highlights The Dalmore’s century-old exclusive partnership with Gonalez Byass, sherry winemakers in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

The Dalmore is known for being a pioneer in multi-cask maturation since 1868. These three expressions highlight that practice — they were primarily aged in ex-bourbon casks, and finished in each of the rare, old casks. The set gives a window not only into how the malt itself ages, but the impact finishing barrels can have. The 26 Year Old is a bright whisky, with berry, orange and honey notes. The 28 Year Old is a darker whisky with more tannins, dried fruit and baking spices. The 43 Year Old has almond and molasses notes, along with tropical fruit.

Next year the series will feature Port finishes.

Dewar’s Double Double 37

Dewars Double Double 37, $1,800

While single malts are often in the spotlight, luxe blended whiskies have made a lot of noise this year. This one is a blended malt (malted barley) and no grain whiskies (usually corn) in this blend. Master Blender Stephanie Macleod oversaw the four-stage aging process. Malt whiskies are aged in casks for 37 years and then blended in casks to marry for a month. That malt is then blended with Double Double 36 which was finished in madeira barrels for a year. That blend is combined for a month in Oloroso sherry casks which previously held Aultmore single malt whisky. The madeira and sherry aging impart chocolate and spices to the whisky, but there are still delicate honey, floral and citrus notes that are typical to the Speyside region. Honoring the region is what this new series is about — it’s the first of four in a Collector’s Series highlighting what makes the Scottish region so special. The set comes with two Baccarat Massena crystal tumblers.

Aberfeldy 25 Year Old

Aberfeldy 25 Year Old, $550

To celebrate the distillery’s 125^th anniversary, Aberfeldy, considered the heart malt of Dewar’s, released this 25-year-old limited edition in a gilded commemorative pack. It was aged in a combination of refill hogsheads and butts, and then finished for more than a year in first-fill Oloroso Sherry casks. Aberfeldy is known for its floral, honey, citrus and vanilla notes because it has a long fermentation, before going through long, slender stills which create a more delicate single malt.

Teeling 33 Year Old

Teeling 33 Year Old, $3,700

Teeling, the first distillery to open back up in Dublin in 125 years, is known for innovation, and its older special releases are prized. The latest in a range of single cask bottlings, this one uses Pineau des Charentes, a fortified wine made with unfermented grape juice and Cognac eau-de-vie. It’s usually drunk as an aperitif and is only produced in a small region in western France, and is mostly consumed locally. Despite Pineau being a dessert wine, the resulting dram is a bit savory and dry, with tropical and stone fruit notes and a long finish with some ginger spice and cherry.

Talisker Glacial Edge

Talisker Glacial Edge 45-Year-Old, $5,000

This is the third and final release in the Xpedition Series, a line of experimental whiskies from Talisker. The release is both a nod to the whisky’s adventurous past: The founders were the MacAskill brothers who sailed from the Isle of Eigg to found the distillery on the Isle of Skye, as well as the brand’s current conservation efforts, especially regarding oceans, marine life, and oysters.

The latest release was aged for more than 40 years before being finished in ice-fractured oak casks. Twelve casks were taken to Canada’s ice fields, where a specialized cooper removed the ends of the casks, exposing them to sub-zero temperatures and arctic winds for 96 hours. The cold fractured the wood, which allowed for more surface area in the casks for the liquid to interact with during the final finishing period back in Scotland. It’s still got a lot of smoke and chili for a whisky this old, and evokes a salty, smoky toffee. If you add water, it gets even brinier, and mellows out the pepper.

Talisker made the journey with partner Parley For the Oceans and glacier scientist Dr. Alison Criscitiello. A portion of proceeds will go towards Parley’s conservation efforts.

Laphroaig Ian Hunter Book 5: Enduring Spirit $1,400

Book 5 commemorates the last of a series of annual Laphroaig editions that pay tribute to Ian Hunter, the past proprietor known for his pivotal role at the distillery from 1908 to 1944. Each book sheds light on different aspects of Hunter’s influential contributions. For instance, Book 3 celebrated his water conservation initiatives. This particular release underlines the lasting impact of Hunter’s decisions at Laphroaig in defining its fundamental character. He pioneered the use of American oak ex-bourbon barrels for maturation, a practice as alive and prevalent today as the malting floors at the distillery. Laphroaig’s signature peat quality matures distinctively with age, hitting a stride in its third decade, unfolding exotic tropical fruit undertones like mango and pineapple, reminiscent of dipping into the world’s most opulent barbecue spread. The whisky undergoes a final phase of maturation in European oak ex-Pedro Ximenez barrels, imparting a hint of red berry and dried fruit nuances that culminate in a lingering sweet aftertaste.

Barry MacAllfer, the Distillery Manager, commented, “It’s more than just a beverage, it’s a portal to a yesteryear.” Buying a bottle serves as a ticket to a competition where the lucky winner gets a chance to partake in a tasting session with him.

Below is a selection of the 100th Anniversary releases from Suntory.

Suntory 100th Anniversary Releases, multiple

Suntory celebrated their 100th anniversary with a video campaign featuring Keanu Reeves and directed by Sophia Coppola. They also marked the occasion with several limited release whiskies. Among these were three premium options: the Mizunara matured Yamazaki 18 Year Old ($1,500), the gently peated Hakushu 18 Year Old Malt ($1,200), and the Mizunara influenced 21 Year Old Hibiki 21 ($5,000) re-blended limited edition whisky.

Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky

FUJI 30-Year-Old Single Grain Whiskey, $3,000

In celebration of Mt. Fuji Distillery’s 50th anniversary, FUJI introduced a 30-year-old single grain whiskey to the U.S. market. It’s a blend of several Canadian-style grain whiskies, aged 30 to 40 years. The product was made on a mix of kettle and column stills, and aged in first and second fill white oak American barrels. Its tasting notes are of honey and dark chocolate. The Mt. Fuji Distillery is distinct for creating whiskies in four international styles: Japanese, American, Canadian, and Scotch. A 50th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Japanese Whisky is slated for release in spring 2024.

Dickel Bourbon Aged 18 Years

Dickel 18 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey, $510

This year, Dickel released its oldest whiskey to date, and it’s a stunner. Master Distiller Nicole Austin has done several things to innovate at the Tennessee-based brand, and one was to add some whiskeys categorized as bourbon in addition to the Tennessee whiskey, which tends to be a bit mellower in style. Austin felt these barrels, which were aged in single-story rick houses, had stone fruit and vanilla crème brûlée notes that kept it more in line with a bourbon.

“I’m excited for people to try Dickel Bourbon Aged 18 Years because it’s a rare and beautifully aged whisky, but still exhibits a surprising brightness and wide range of complexity that is not often found in American Whiskies of this age,” Austin said in a press release.

Eagle Rare 25

Eagle Rare 25, $10,000

Another record breaker, this bourbon is the oldest Eagle Rare ever released. This release was the result of an innovation program and the first release from Warehouse P, which was specifically built to extend the aging and maturation process for American whiskey and bourbon, which, due to the hot aging climate and use of virgin barrels traditionally take on too much oak flavor and become too bitter and tannic. This was avoided by moving barrels in 2018 to Warehouse P, which was temperature and humidity controlled.

“We closely monitored Eagle Rare 25 throughout the aging process and discovered that the impact over time due to controlled, extended aging was optimally mature whiskey – by that, I mean whiskey that is uniquely smooth and complex with deep, mature flavors around every corner,” said Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley in a statement. “Eagle Rare 25 is unlike any other extra-aged bourbon on the market today. We are quite proud of this bourbon.”

The dram still will appeal to ultra-aged bourbon fans, and is somewhat tannic with notes of leather and oak, but there’s also traditional bourbon notes of vanilla and caramel with cherry overtones.

Now that the excitement of the holidays is over, we’re all in need of something to make those cold, dark days of winter a little more enjoyable. Equiano Rum is a 100 percent natural rum with no added sugars, colorants, or spices. It’s also the world’s first African and Caribbean rum. A spiked hot chocolate made with this true rum is just the thing to brighten up a cold night.

The Equiano Holiday Gift Box will surely make a cold winter day warmer.

“As the world’s first African & Caribbean rum, the uniqueness in liquids from each location plays an important role in our blend,” say founders Aaisha Dadra and Amanda Kakembo. “In Equiano Original, the African component, from Mauritius, is tropically aged in ex-Cognac barrels which offers a natural sweetness to the blend. In Equiano Light, we’ve introduced fresh sugar cane juice rum from Africa which adds a grassiness to the blend. And Barbados produces some of the best rums in the world, so we feel honored that it’s a key component in both Equiano Original and Equiano Light.”

Ready to make Equiano Spiked Chocolate? Here’s what you need:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 2 cups 2% milk

• 3 tablespoons soft muscovado sugar

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 pinch cinnamon

• ¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips

• 2 ounces (¼ cup) Equiano Original Rum

• Whipped Cream (Optional)

Method:

The Equiano holiday gift box is available for purchase online for both the

Equiano Original

and the

Equiano Light.

Looking into 2024, Equiano is looking forward to more exceptional rum being enjoyed around the world, more unique blends from Africa and the Caribbean, more limited-edition blends and more support of emerging African distilleries as they venture beyond the 30 countries they are in today.

The Bloody Mary holds a special place among popular cocktails like the margarita and the martini, known even to those who are not cocktail enthusiasts. What sets it apart are the bold and spicy flavors along with its distinct red color. It starts with a base of vodka and tomato juice and the rest of the complexity comes from a mix of spices and flavorings. These can be common ingredients like hot sauce and lemon juice or more adventurous items such as Worcestershire sauce and horseradish.

While the Bloody Mary is acclaimed for its complex and spicy taste, vodka is a critical element of the cocktail. The clean, neutral flavor of vodka actually provides the backdrop on which the vivid flavors of the cocktail emerge. Because the vodka is not meant to be the star of the show, there is no need to use top-shelf vodkas as their intricate nuances will be overshadowed by the flavors of the spices and flavorings in the cocktail.

Rather, it is suggested to use a more budget-friendly vodka and divert the savings to high-quality mixers. Choose good quality tomato juice, fresh lemon or lime juice, high-quality hot sauces, and fresh spices. These will make a much more substantial difference in your Bloody Mary than what even the most premium vodkas can offer!

Read more: 23 Cocktails To Try If You Like Drinking Gin

The best vodka for your Bloody Mary is one that complements the spices and flavors without stealing the show. Look for mid-range vodkas like Smirnoff, Absolut, or Stolichnaya; they’re well-distilled, providing the needed smoothness and neutrality without breaking the bank.

It’s worth noting that when we say “bottom-shelf vodka,” we don’t mean you should scrape the shelves’ bottoms and buy the absolute cheapest bottles available. Ultra-cheap vodkas often undergo minimal distillation and prioritize cost savings over flavor in their production, resulting in a sharper, more “ethanol-like” taste due to higher levels of fermentation byproducts called congeners. That’s not what you want in your Bloody Mary! A handy rule of thumb is to choose a vodka that you’d enjoy sipping on its own. If it’s smooth when sipped neat, it’s likely to work well in your Bloody Mary.

In case you want to get creative, some bartenders suggest trying flavored vodkas like pepper or citrus-infused types to add an extra flavor kick. But remember, this is entirely up to your taste. Plus, adding flavored vodka to a Bloody Mary can be a bit tricky, as it will affect the balance of flavors. So, it’s a good idea to have a recipe on hand (like this Kimchi Bloody Mary recipe!) to make sure everything tastes just right when you give it a go!

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

Arnel Hecimovic

Thu 28 Dec 2023 08.23 EST

Last modified on Fri 29 Dec 2023 04.11 EST

Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Photograph: Rodrigo Garrido/Reuters

Photograph: snapshot/Future Image/U Stamm/Rex/Shutterstock

Photograph: Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

Photograph: Adrian Kraus/AP

Photograph: Jeffrey Arguedas/EPA

Photograph: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images

Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Photograph: Davide Bonaldo/Rex/Shutterstock

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Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

The Bloody Mary is up there with the margarita and the martini as one of those cocktails that are so popular even people who aren’t cocktail enthusiasts will have heard of them before. It’s revered for its uniquely bold and spicy flavors, as well as a striking blood-red color. Crafting this iconic cocktail begins with a base of vodka and tomato juice, and the complexity unfolds through a mix of spices and flavorings. These range from everyday ingredients like hot sauce and lemon juice to more adventurous options such as Worcestershire sauce and horseradish.

While the Bloody Mary is famous for its complex and spicy taste, the vodka in it plays a crucial role. The spirit’s clean, neutral flavor provides a background for the cocktail’s spices and seasonings to shine. It’s exactly because the vodka isn’t meant to draw attention to itself that you don’t have to use top-shelf vodkas in a Bloody Mary. All of the flavorings and spices in the cocktail will wash out the taste of the spirit, so all of the nuances provided by top-shelf vodkas will be lost and wasted.

Instead, it’s better to use a lower-priced vodka and invest your savings in high-quality mix ingredients. Go for high-quality tomato juice, freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice, artisanal hot sauces, and fresh spices. They’ll make a bigger difference in your Bloody Mary than the most premium vodkas!

Read more: 23 Cocktails To Try If You Like Drinking Gin

The ideal vodka for your Bloody Mary should not overshadow the cocktail’s flavors and spices and should preferably be a mid-range selection such as Smirnoff, Absolut, or Stolichnaya. These vodkas are well-distilled, thus giving the desired neutrality and smoothness without being overly expensive.

When referring to “bottom-shelf vodka,” we are not suggesting you should go for the most inexpensive options available. Vodkas of this kind are usually not well distilled and focus on cost reduction over taste, which results in a sharper, more “ethanol-like” taste due to the high presence of fermentation byproducts known as congeners. This is not desirable for a Bloody Mary. A good rule is to opt for a vodka that you’d find enjoyable to drink straight. If it tastes smooth when drinking it neat, it will likely pair nicely with your Bloody Mary.

For those feeling adventurous, some bartenders advise trying flavored vodkas like pepper or citrus-infused ones for an additional flavor boost. However, don’t forget that taste is subjective. Moreover, introducing flavored vodka to a Bloody Mary might complicate the flavor balance. So, it’s smart to follow a recipe (like this Kimchi Bloody Mary recipe!) to ensure taste perfection when experimenting.

Check out the original article on Tasting Table for more information.

The Boulevardier — a cocktail created by Erskine Gwynne, a magazine publisher who christened the drink after his magazine aimed at expats residing in Paris in the 1920s — initially was a blend of bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Over time, the recipe has evolved to sometimes substitute the bourbon with another variety of whiskey: rye.

This cocktail will taste delightful either way, but there is a specific argument to be made for preferring rye whiskey. Rye whiskey is going to contain a higher percentage of, well, rye — by law, rye whiskey has to consist of at least 51% rye grain (when it’s produced in America) — which will add a depth of flavor to the cocktail, due to rye’s flavor profiles of spice and herb. Furthermore, rye whiskey is less sweet than bourbon, so if you’re not a fan of sweeter cocktails, opting for rye whiskey is definitely the right choice.

Read more: The 25 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked

Given that rye and bourbon both fall under the umbrella oftypes of whiskey, what differentiates them essentially boils down to the specifics of the distilling procedure. As mentioned earlier, rye whiskey should be made up of at least 51% rye grain — which aligns with its name. Conversely, bourbon must be distilled in the United States and has to be made with a fermented mash (which refers to cooked grains combined with yeast) that is 51% corn.

Besides the makeup, the two types of whiskey have a lot in common. For instance, they both require to be bottled at a bare minimum of 40% ABV (alcohol by volume) and not more than 80% ABV. They can even have similar tastes if the bourbon has a high percentage of rye. In light of this, if you desire the taste of rye in your Boulevardier, but, for some reason, can’t lay hands on rye whiskey at your nearby liquor store, you can simply opt for bourbon with a high rye percentage to achieve a similar result.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Pouring vodka shots

Without vodka, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the Dirty Shirley, the stylish espresso Martini or the iconic massive cosmopolitan cocktail that Ina Garten shared on her Instagram in April 2020. The clear spirit with the neutral taste is a well-liked beverage for cocktails because it pairs well with a wide range of mixers. Nevertheless, not all vodkas are created equal, and so you will find a multitude of vodka brands at your local pub. There isn’t a singular type of vodka; they vary based on geographical location and ingredients. Your preferred type will depend on your personal taste and how you plan to use the spirit.

“It’s all about creating a match made in *your* cocktail heaven,” says Ashley Eldefri, a brand ambassador for The Community Spirit Vodka. “Price is only sometimes indicative of quality: pricier doesn’t always equate to better when it comes to vodka. It’s certainly worth experimenting with different brands and price ranges to find one that suits your palate.”

To assist you in refining your choices and simplifying your next visit to the liquor shop, we have spoken with drink experts to detail the 9 of the most popular types of vodka based on their ingredients, country of origin, flavor notes, among other factors.

Related: 5 Different Types of Tequila, Explained

Making vodka has plenty of nuance, but for the purposes of this discussion, we’ll try to distill (pun intended) it down for you. Vodka starts with your base ingredient (often a grain, though it could be potatoes or molasses), water and yeast. That mixture is fermented for a couple of weeks, then strained. The liquid from the fermentation process is distilled, filtered, diluted with water and bottled.

Related: 9 Popular Costco Liquors, Ranked From the Bottom(s) Up

Eldefri states that vodkas made from grains like rye have a spicier character with strong, earthy undertones. This type of vodka is typically leaner and drier compared with other vodka types.

Rye vodka goes exceptionally well in certain cocktails. For instance, a dirty vodka martini will highlight the spirit itself, with a rye vodka’s subtlety and dryness nicely balancing the tangy hint of olive juice, as suggested by Alissa Marinello, a bartender at Vivamee Hospitality properties, Renault Winery & Resort and LBI National in New Jersey.

Contrarily, fruit-focused vodkas obtain their flavor not from the source but through infusion after distillation. Eldefri mentions that many modern brands provide flavored options by infusing fruits or herbs post distillation. Some favored fruit vodka flavors include melon, strawberry, blueberry, lemon, raspberry, lime, and orange.

Marinello advises against using synthetic substances and colorings in favor of creating your own flavored vodka. She advises doing this by adding the unflavored vodka of your choice to a container with your chosen fruit. Marinello suggests allowing the vodka to infuse for a minimum of three days and up to a week. When the infusion period is finished, you can decant it into a bottle for cocktail mixing.

Many people enjoy corn as part of their nightly meal, but it’s also a popular ingredient in vodka. According to Eldefri, “Vodka made from corn is well-known for its gentle and slightly sweet flavor, which is accompanied by a smooth mouthfeel and hints of vanilla or butteriness.”

Eldefri recommends using a vodka made from corn to make a classic cocktail such as a martini, as this allows the essence of the vodka to shine through.

And in case you were wondering, vodka made from potatoes does not taste like french fries or mashed potato. As Eldefri clarifies, “The value of vodka produced from potatoes lies in its rich, creamy texture and its subtly earthy and nutty flavor.”

Potato vodka pairs exceptionally well with savory foods, including certain cheeses and meats, so you might want to keep that in mind the next time you’re eating out or hosting a dinner party.

For a smooth vodka experience, try a spirit made from molasses. “Molasses-based vodkas, often linked to rum production, offer a slightly sweeter and more intricate taste, featuring hints of molasses and caramel,” says Eldefri. The caramely notes in molasses vodka make it nice in a creamy cocktail, like a white Russian.

According to Marinello, flavored vodka is fun to work with because you can create more complex cocktails with minimal ingredients. That said, she says to steer clear of this type of vodka if you have a gluten allergy because sometimes artificial flavorings are added in post-distillation that can contain this common allergen.

In terms of the types of flavors, there is a wide variety, but many fall into the citrusy (lemonade, grapefruit) or fruity (strawberry, blueberry) categories.

Vodkas can exhibit varying characteristics depending on their original location due to local styles and preferences. For instance, Russian vodkas, which normally utilize wheat or rye and are distilled multiple times, are appreciated for their clean and smooth profile, shares Eldefri. Famous Russian vodka brands such as Beluga Noble, Husky, Marmot Siberian, and Smirnoff exemplify this.

In contrast, American vodkas range from smooth neutrality to peculiar flavors resulting from the use of various base components. Typical American vodka is crafted with rye, wheat, potato or corn, which result in a unique taste, a soft consistency, and an earthy, warm zing. Although the impression may change depending on the specific brand, one can generally consider it as the optimal mix derived from an assortment of ingredients.

As per Marinello, both Poland and Russia claim to be the pioneers of this spirit. However, Polish vodkas, ordinarily made using potatoes or grains, exhibit a marginally stronger taste with subtle notes of earthiness and sweetness.

Next in line: Celebrity Chef Pati Jinich’s Simple Formula for Making the Perfect Cocktail