Craft Vodka Distillers on the Cutting Edge

Da or nyet? Only Russian vodka is worth drinking. The answer for many is a solid da. However, others, myself included, fall into the nyet category. Mind you, I am not the biggest consumer of vodka. But I know a quality product when I taste it, and I bet you do, too.

Wisconsin distillers emphasize creativity, quality, and locality. I would much rather pay money to someone from this great state than to a foreign country that is not exactly on our country’s friends list. However, this is not a geopolitical discussion, and we aren’t going to make it into one.

Digging Deeper into Wisconsin Craft Vodka

Distilleries in Wisconsin do a great job of making craft vodka. These smaller batches receive plenty of attention before, during, and after the distillation process. Many Wisconsin distillers use locally sourced ingredients—and not just potatoes. Little known fact: vodkas can use ingredients other than potatoes or grain. In fact, one distillery down the road from me takes advantage of being in America’s Dairyland to make vodka using whey. Strange aside—whey-based vodka is smoother/creamier than other vodkas. So, make sure you thank Bessie the cow for that great-tasting martini.

Craft vodka is one of two liquors available when a distillery opens (the other is gin) because it does not require aging. It is ready to serve once the distillation process finishes and the bottling is completed. Speaking of distillation--some vodkas undergo two distilling sequences, although most distillers only distill their vodka once.

Double distillation adds a little more complexity, including infusing other flavors, helping it stand out from the crowd. Oh, and if someone attempts to tell you that vodka distilled three or more times is better still, don't take their word for it. Have them prove it. Have them provide free samples of a single and double distilled vodka and compare it to their three distillation or more vodka. Little documentation, if any, is available to merit vodka distilled more than twice. The only thing that increases in multiple distillations is the cost. But to be fair, I will retract this statement if proven otherwise.

Finding Wisconsin Craft Vodka at a Local Distillery

Not every distillery in Wisconsin offers vodka, but most do. You can check the Wisconsin Distilleries listings on the wineandspiritssource website to find out which distillery offers vodka. Once you know, why not head over and try some yourself?