Notes: Leyline is a fledgling distillery housed in an economic development center (read old canning factory like many such centers it seems). A family run operation they use local fruit and grains to ferment, distill, and bottle on site. They use small stainless steel pot column hybrid stills with a lot of copper in the columns to get that critical interaction ( particularly with fruit) that makes a huge difference in the final product.

They currently produce two versions of a hard red winter wheat vodka, this one their red label sipping vodka, which was created a vodka to be sipped and savored on its own, their white label vodka is the mixing vodka, which was conceived and created to maximize its mixing qualities for cocktails and Leyline also produces a cherry eau de vie and a peach brandy (more specifically/technically an eau de vie also) with plans to develop more products as they grow their market.

Appearance: While not filtered to death like many vodkas, which in the process can lose even more taste and nuance so they can add what they consider bragging rights, this vodka is has a nice silvery appearance. On swirling It leaves a nice oily coating on the glass ( a sign of viscosity and body which some vodkas fake) and on the retreat from the edge line the vodka leaves tiny droplets behind your glass

First Impression: Slightly bready/yeasty in a champagne like way with further slightly fruity, apple,pear, and apricot notes to the nose

Taste: Slightly sweet entry with an interesting combination of fruity and grainy notes with the wheat germ giving the vodka a nice oily texture which then goes to a slightly drying cereal/grain like finish

Drinks: While this was conceived and made to be a sipping vodka ( which it does admirably) you can also of course mix it

Bottle: Clear cylindrical bottle with nicely weighted decanter bottom makes for a nice presentation and harder to type over. It also shows the clarity of the vodka to good effect and is thankfully not frosted unlike a sea of other vodka bottles. Angled labels of red with white printing and graphics give the bottle a slightly rakish look and further allows it to stand out on a shelf or bar.

Other: A link to some photos of the distillery with our friend Zamir Gotta of “No Reservations ” fame

Final Thoughts: If you want a nicely done small batch wheat vodka ( and if you are in New York State a locavore product) we can recommend it. Yes, it is a touch expensive compared to mass produced brands, but if you want handcrafted, small batch products of any kind, that premium is worth the difference. You get what you pay for.

Website: http://leylinedistillery.com/

Nicely laid out site but not a lot of info or pictures yet.