Notes: This is a new vodka to the market produced by a 4th generation distiller with a passion for perfection. Distilled six times in a POT STILL (not a continuous column stilll; this is much more labor intensive), then filtered for 14 hours in a proprietary mix of hardwood charcoal before bottling.

Appearance: Crystal clear, no sediment whatsoever or separation. Appropriately thick but not overly thick body. A lot of the thicker bodied vodka have been doped up to give a bigger mouth feel,cover a so- so (or worse) distillation and generally mislead; not so this vodka. On swirling, it leaves a a thin clear coat on the inside of the glass, legs forming.

First Impression: Rye, lots of rye, with a touch of sweetness, no off-notes whatsoever, a deft hand made the cuts on this distillation.

Taste: The purest distillation I have had in a very long time. Amazingly smooth texture and finish to it . Wonderful full-mouth feel creamy texture.

Drinks: This vodka shows itself off best by itself at room temperature. Not many other vodkas can do that. Almost a pity to mix it with anything else, but if you must, it makes for a rounder, more complex drink than if you used a lesser product.

Final Thoughts: A wonderful, clean vodka. A real example and standard for others to try and emulate. One of the smoothest, most flavorful rye vodkas I have found- and that is saying a lot!

Bottle: Distinctive, in that it is tall,rectangular bright clear glass with rounded shoulders, and NO frosting unlike the sea of others. Simple graphics silk screened or printed directly onto the glass. Gold maple leaf shows through back to front to distinguish the ingredients.Nice heft to the bottle and a good grade of clear glass with nice foot to it. Bottle was imported from France and is hand dipped in gold wax at distillery – shows the vodka to good effect.

Web site: http://empirewineryanddistillery.com

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