Day 10 – Ten Lords a-leaping – Vodka
According to some scholars, scholars with way too much time on their hands by the way, ten lords-a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments. OK, let’s run with that. Here we present 10 vodkas you may covet in good conscience, while hoping you find them under the Christmas tree.
Distillerie Shefford – Vodka d’érable (40%)
Distillerie Shefford breaks new ground with this innovative spirit. Often, when distillers make alcohol, they add the spirits from the beginning and end of the distillation run back into the next batch to be re-distilled. It’s no different when they distil Quebec maple syrup into acerum. Distiller Hugo Bourassa has another approach that results in a spirit that amazes and delights. Bourassa blends his “heads and tails” together, then redistils, chill-filters and proofs them with neutral water to make an innovative vodka. Vodka d’érable is buttery and silky, capturing maple syrup’s mineral nuances with just a smidgen of maple sweetness. There is nothing else quite like it and it is worth seeking out.
500ml currently available at the distillery only
The Liberty Distillery – Truth Oat Vodka Distillers Reserve (45%)
This outstanding vodka is made with 100% organic BC oats that are triple distilled using the distillery’s towering rectifying column. Chill-filtering with activated charcoal gives Truth Oat Vodka a round, supple profile. Truth be told, it will envelop your taste buds with creamy sweet notes and subtle nutty tones. This is sipping vodka at its finest.
750ml $45.99
Old Order Distilling Co. – Black Goat Vodka (40%)
Infusing a blend of plant minerals into the water used to proof this vodka has given it an inky-black hue. Yet, beneath its sable hood, Black Goat is quite traditional with an elegant nose and subtle notes of pepper and sweet vanilla on the palate. The silky mouthfeel makes sipping this vodka effortless. And should your quaffs turn you loquacious, simply dip your quill in in your glass and compose a letter to Santa, letting him know you need more.
375ml $25
Outlaw Trail Spirits Distillery – Climax SK Cool Cucumber Vodka (37.8%)
When the weather outside is frightful, let this cool-as-a-cucumber vodka transport you back to summer. Outlaw Trails Distillery distils its spirit from Saskatchewan soft white wheat then infuses it with fresh cucumber. Predictably, crisp cucumber on the nose turns ripe and sweet on the palate, with accents of peppery spice. The southern Saskatchewan town of Climax, for which the vodka is named, traces its own name to the Climax Chewing Tobacco Co. in Minnesota. That’s where cattle rustlers used to round up their herds before heading north on the outlaw trail just minutes ahead of the hangman. How’s that for outlaw?
750ml $29.49
Last Straw Distillery – Vaughan Vodka (40%)
Distilled not once, not twice, but thrice. Last Straw is best known as a whisky distillery, so when they decide to make vodka, you can be assured that it’s going to have the sweet malty notes that whisky lovers crave. Buying local? Last Straw sources its barley from Ontario’s K2 Milling, about a 30-minute drive from the distillery. The vodka maintains the pure essence of malt cereal flavours with a soft buttery texture. Just one sip lets you know these guys know a thing or two about distilling impressive world-class spirit.
www.madebyhand.laststrawdistillery.com
750ml $27.95
Murphy’s Law Distillery – Not Wasted Vodka (40%)
When one of Canada’s best moonshine distilleries turned its attention to vodka, they did so strictly for charity. In the process, the Murphys managed to turn over 2,000 pounds of unspoiled food waste into 300 jars of vodka. Bottles retail for $67.50, of which the grateful Food Bank of Waterloo Region gets $40, while you get a tax receipt. This vodka is almost neutral but for light fennel-like liquorice tones. That’s flavour for a good cause, so Ben Murphy plans to turn this vodka into an annual release.
750ml $67.50
Moon Distillery – Orange Vodka (40%)
After double distilling BC barley and wheat, Clay Potter filters it six times then infuses it with bitter curaçao orange peel. Potter and his team at Moon Distillery are not shy when it comes to flavour. The grain’s rugged malt notes spring forward on the nose along with hints of vanilla. A burst of bitter citrus peel pops on the palate with its light malty sweetness chugging along on the long finish. Best served ice cold or in a screwdriver if you’re feeling Vitamin C deficient.
375ml $24, 750ml $36
Salt Spring Shine Craft Distillery – Hive Vodka (40%)
Distillery owners, Michael and Rie Papps ferment and distil 100% BC honey to make this one-of-a-kind vodka. The nose sparkles with brisk cleanliness that is accented by a very subtle sweetness on the palate. Its intricate and delicate play on flavour isn’t a coincidence. The Papps are Cordon Bleu chefs with palates trained to tease delicate flavours from any ingredient they use. Just don’t be surprised if you wake to a bee’s nest in your Christmas tree – and don’t worry they are there for the vodka.
375ml $28.70, 750ml $43.48
Forbidden Spirits Distilling Co. – Forbidden Vodka (40%)
Apples harvested from the distillery’s 20-acre orchard are distilled 50 times to make this vodka. Those apples must be juicy little suckers. From the floral blossoms to the crisp, sweet fruit, Forbidden Vodka captures their essence splendidly in this spirit. Creamy and soft, this vodka divulges the nuance of apple in its purest form.
750ml $76.54
Taynton Bay Spirits – Raspberry Vodka (40%)
Raspberries! Plump, glorious raspberries flood the nose with fresh and bright floral notes. The palate effortlessly plays off the berries’ tartness. Perfect for summer cocktails, this triple distilled vodka is a quintessential example of how Canadian distilleries are becoming masters at infusing local flavours into their spirits. Delicious, sugar-free and wild!
750ml, $32.40
Join us tomorrow for Day 11: Gin suggestions. Or, if you’d rather figure it out on your own, there are many more spirits to be found in our book The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries – a gift suggestion in itself and one that’s worth its weight in five gold rings.