While vodka is, by definition, flavourless, a new breed of craft distilleries are exploring the intricacies of this spirit. While the term ‘craft’ is loosely defined, organisations like the American Distilling Institute define craft distilleries as those with an output of less than 52’000 cases each year. Owing to an upsurge in popularity, these smaller distilleries are able to experiment with all kinds of interesting equipment and ingredients. In Australia, smaller distilleries have clawed their way onto bar shelves in spite of high taxation ($1 excise per standard drink) and low attention. Their success has come through sharing their interesting stories and recipes through social media, growing their fanbase from the ground up. As well as these interesting ingredients and backgrounds, Vodka aficionados will be able to appreciate the subtle effects that small Australian distillery experiments have on the spirit. To name a few of our favourite little distilleries: Alaskan Rock Vodka (NSW), Small Mouth Vodka (NSW), Beenleigh Cane Vodka (QLD), Hippocampus Vodka (WA), Mt Uncle (QLD), Tamborine Mountain (QLD), 666 Vodka (TAS), Firedrum Vodka (TAS), Young Henry (NSW) and Canberra Distillery (ACT).
At MyBottleShop, we stock vodkas from all those distilleries mentioned above. As for the ones with the best tales and taste behind them, here are our top three:
Young Henry’s Unfiltered
We know what you’re thinking: “Aren’t they those Newtown guys who make the fancy beers?”. Yes they are, and they’ve taken their love for small-batch brewing to the world of spirits. Handmade in a limited batch with Australian wheat, this barebones bottle brings a dry and delicious flavour. If you want to see how a craft beer brewery does craft vodka, add Young Henry’s Unfiltered Vodka to your collection.
Fire Drum
While potatoes make traditional vodka, malted barley makes a sweeter spirit. This Tasmanian distillery employs an expert malter who searches Tasmania to select the best malted barley. Brewed with pristine Tassie water and distilled in an old copper pot-still, the distillers bottle only the ‘heart’ of the run where the spirit is sweetest. Charcoal-filtered and blended with pure water, acquire Fire Drum Vodka if you seek a malty, sweet spirit.
Gum Leaf Vodka
Hidden among the forestry and fruit trees of Queensland, this family-run distillery uses-you guessed it-Eucalyptus for their very flavourful vodka. Also Australia’s smallest pot-still operation, Tambourine Mountain Distillery makes this spirit five-times distilled with Australian grapes. The result is a smooth, fruity flavour complimented by notes of menthol and mint. Stock your bar with Tamborine Mountain’s Eucalyptus Gum Leaf Vodka to arouse the interest and excite the taste of any tippler.