The Spirit Journal - September 2005, Volume 15, Issue 3

VERMONT GOLD
100% Maple Sap Vodka
(USA; Vermont Spirits Co.,
St. Johnsbury, VT)

Perfect, limpid, and unblemished in appearance. The initial aromatic blast takes the olfactory sense by surprise due to its gracefully presented and fresh sugar maple candy charm and sweetness; seven further minutes of air contact serve to bolster the first impressions; this is a unique and seductive vodka bouquet unlike anything I’ve encountered. The palate entry is toasty, maple sweet, and full-bodied; at midpalate, the oastiness found in the entry gives way to full-out lip-smacking tastes of sugar maple candy, dark honey, sap, resin, and malt. Finishes divinely sweet and sap-like. A new gold standard for non-grain vodkas. Worth every bloody cent.

Spirit Journal Rating:
*****
5 Stars: Highest Recommendation

VERMONT WHITE
100% Milk Sugar Vodka
(USA; Vermont Spirits Co.,
St. Johnsbury, VT)

Impeccably clear, translucent, and pure in appearance. In the first nosings I detect subtle notes of chalk and paper; additional aeration time of six minutes adds only soft whispers of cream, powdered milk, and refined sugar. The palate entry is bittersweet and tightly structured – there’s no flab or fat in the opening taste profile; by midpalate, the bittersweet aspect develops into a fully sweet, honey-like presence that underlies the other more superficial flavors of honey and powdered
milk. Concludes pleasingly sweet and silky. Excellent distilling job here.

Spirit Journal Rating:
****
4 Stars: Highly Recommended

F. PAUL PACULT’S SPIRIT JOURNAL
THE QUARTERLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE TO DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEERS AND WINES

September 2005, Volume 15, Issue 3

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