It is the “Arts and Crafts Movement” version of vodka.
Notes: This vodka is produced in a old aircraft hanger near San Francisco in small Holstein Pot Stills. Most commercial vodka is produced in column stills at rectification plants (read chemical factories) in huge refinery like settings and quantities.
In order to make their products taste like something other than dry gas for your car they add things like glycerin and vanilla to add the body and tast they lose using a column still.This vodka (and all the other variations) are produced in small quantities in a extremely labor intensive process compared to the industrial standards of many other vodkas. It is the “Arts and Crafts Movement” version of vodka. This version uses Mandarin Orange Flowers macerated and infused into the base spirit.
Appearance: Clear, no sediment whatsoever. On swirling, it leaves a a thicker clear coat on the inside of the glass and almost seems a bit viscous. However, It is well blended in that the essential oils do not seperate from the alcohol base, a difficult trick when dealing with real, fresh ingredients. Well done!
First Impression: Incrediblely delicate and intense smell of mandarin orange blossoms. The perfumey smell is like nothing I have encountered before in a drink.
Taste: Coats the tongue with the most intense flavor. Blossoms with a creamy texture that reminds you of a Italian ice, or more accurately what they try to be. The aftertaste is an incredible essence of flowers that evaporates in the mouth and leaves you breathless.
Drinks: Couldn’t bear to mix it. If I ever find another ingredient good enough to mix with it I will let you know. Until then I will drink it straight.
Final Thoughts: The crack cocaine of flavored vodkas (and I mean that in a good way!). Goes straight to the pleasure center of your brain.
Bottle: Distinctive, in that it is tall, clear glass, and NO frosting unlike the sea of others. Simple graphics silkscreened or printed directly onto the glass. Nice heft to the bottle and a good grade of clear glass with a weighted bottom to it. Thin but robust shape similar to a good french brandy bottle. No nonsense straightforward, shows the vodka to good effect.
Website:: http://www.hangarOne.com Fast loading with a fair amount of information. Easy to read with good content and descriptions of production if a bit terse. Again, they really need to post some drink recipes or other ideas on how to use their vodka (food recipes or accompaniments?), and make it available in 200 ML bottles for people to try it.