By
George Brozowski
Of
the more than 450 brands of vodka in the world, as
you, my faithful 899,648.6 regular readers know, I have taste
tested only 36 to date and by this count I have a long way
to go. Actually, I look at it as job security because if I
only wrote about vodka and then only wrote an article once
a week it would take me almost 8 years to review them all.
Since I also write about other spirits, and there are thousands
of them out there, I will be securely employed for at least
another hundred years or so. I guess social security will
have to wait as I already have spirits security.
And
so on to number 37, Aylesbury Duck Vodka.
Now I know you can practically distill vodka from just about
anything but it never once crossed my mind that you could
make vodka out of distilled ducks although I do believe there
is a French vodka that is made from geese.
Of
course I'm joking; Aylesbury Duck Vodka comes
from the western Rockies of Canada and is made from winter
wheat not ducks. It is triple distilled and then bottled in
Ukiah, California after sweet Mendocino county water is added
to bring the proof to 80 or alcohol by volume to a respectable
40%.
Speaking
of Ukiah, California, what is going on in this teeny tiny
Mendocino county town that's a whopping 4 square miles big
and has a population of 16,000? It seems to be becoming a
magnet for spirits, beer and wine producers and distributors.
I've been to Ukiah several times and fell in love with this
city. It is in the heart of Mendocino county and just like
its sister counties of Napa and Sonoma it is primarily known
for its delicious wines even though it is rumored that marijuana
is the largest cash crop coming out of Mendocino these days.
Different folks up there brew some fine beer, distill some
terrific brandy and raise some great grapes and maybe that's
why these folks with 86.co and Domaine Charbay, who bring
you this Aylesbury Vodka, as well as Tequila
Cabeza, Cana Brava Rum and Ford's London
Dry Gin have taken root up there.
Well,
let's give this Canadian/Californian vodka a taste run and
see where it goes. The nose has the barest touch of alcohol
and a slightly citrusy spicy note followed by an earthy, mineral
like aroma but all of these combined are just barely perceptible.
It is indeed a very clean nose. The palate continues this
trend with a touch of terroir, a bit of citrus and spice and
opens up to a yeasty bread like flavor but again it is also
very clean and pleasant and the flavors are all very subtle.
The finish is smooth with citrus and spice lingering for a
medium amount of time. If you're looking for a great vodka
at an even greater price point, this Aylesbury Duck
vodka is your spirit. It is around $22.99 per 750ml
bottle and let me tell you a super premium vodka at that price
is absolutely worth buying and even if that's a sale price
and this spirit comes in around the high $20's it is still
a bargain. Go get you some!!
For
more Rants & Raves click
here.
http://www.aylesburyduckvodka.com/
