Cold River Vodka Review
15lb of potatoes go into one 750ml bottle!
Credit: Cold River Vodka
It’s been a while since the last review. In fact, the last one was two months ago! It’s not like I haven’t drunk anything in two months. (If anything, my vomit-stained shoes and the mysterious scratches on my hands tell a different story.) Instead, I was just lazy, so I’m working on tackling resolution #3. (Speaking of resolutions, posting may be sporadic over the next week due to extensive traveling, though I’ve made plans to ensure Internet access.)
Anyway, a long time ago in a box from far, far away Maine came a bottle of Cold River Vodka. Excitedly, I ripped it open and got together a group of friends skilled panelists for a tasting. I decided to compare it to my go-to vodka, which is Smirnoff. In fact, every vodka I drink is compared to Smirnoff due to a New York Times blind tasting that judged it to be #1 out of 21 vodkas. Could Cold River’s taste topple Czar Smirnoff? In one word, yes.
First, the story: unlike most of the top vodka brands, Cold River is made in the good ol’ USA in Freeport, ME from 100% Maine-grown potatoes. The potatoes are grown at family-owned Green Thumb Farms in Fryeburg, and each bottle has its batch number inscribed by hand. The distillery was started by a group of four guys (a former U.S. Ski Team coach, a potato farmer, a brain surgeon, and a master brewer) who had wanted to start a local vodka distillery for years. After studying distillation in Kentucky, i.e., “Alcohol School”, they tackled the task of creating a premium vodka brand.
437 US Route One, Freeport, ME
Credit: Cold River Vodka
One of the benefits of it being American (aside from supporting our own local economy) is that you can visit the distillery. They offer free tours and have a gift shop that’s open Tuesday through Saturday. It’s conveniently located 2
January 11th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Nifty! I don’t drink much vodka (I usually use it as an ingredient in mixed rinks rather than neat), but this stuff sounds like fun.
Of course, living in Pennsylvania practically guarantees it’ll be impossible to find…but that’s a rant for another time.
Now where’s my black bread and pickles? Za vashe zdorovye!
January 11th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Yeah, I have no idea if you can get this in Pennsylvania or not. (I’m guessing not.)
This is American vodka. Maybe white bread and pickles instead? Or better yet, white bread and apple pie?
January 11th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I’m not sure who the New York Times had tasting the vodkas in the blind test, but maybe they had another blind test before it and were already drunk. Smirnoff doesn’t hold a candle to just about *any* other vodka out there. Hopefully Cold River can be your new standard.
I think all of these “micro-brew” vodkas will find a home, even if not at large liquor stores. Certain bars and stores will carry them and it’ll be enough for a lot of these vodka makers.
If your state allows shipping of spirits, then you can get Cold River at Grand Vin. http://www.grandvinonline.com/sku15466.html
January 11th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Eek! $39.99 + $16.51 S/H? That’s a bit painful, but at least you don’t have to go outside.
All the “micro-brew” vodkas will almost assuredly find some sort of niche to fulfill. I think the main question at this point is whether or not they can actually stay in business fulfilling only that niche. Only time will tell.
January 11th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Vodka is very cheap to make, you don’t have to sell a lot to stay in business as long as you’re not pushing in to unsuccessful markets. Time will always tell.
I never thought in a million years that Ocean Vodka would still be in business with the swill they’re pushing, but they seem to manage it as well.
January 11th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Thanks for the info on the potato vodka. As you probably know, some vodkas have drifted away from potatoes and use grains instead.
January 21st, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Well, hello RICK, from The Martini Lounge… I would recognize a post like this anywhere. Amazing how a “swill” such as OCEAN Vodka has grown as it has. For a product having been out on the market for a mere 7 months, to be picked up by over 500 establishments across Hawaii, among them include Neiman Marcus and Aloha Airlines. OCEAN Vodka-perhaps a “swill” only by the mouth of one beholder. I agree with you on one point though, time seems to be telling, now isn’t it?
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I guess I’m “outed.” Except anyone could click on my name and be taken right to my blog, so I guess that’s not so clever.
I’m genuinely glad that Ocean Vodka is doing so well, it’s great that someone’s dream and “baby” is being realized and that it’s taking off. Good success stories are hard to come by so it’s nice to see one in a cut-throat business. But just because other people like it and it’s successful doesn’t mean I have to like it, I’m sorry that you feel so threatened by someone who doesn’t like it.
By the by, Aloha Airlines also serves chicken sandwiches that taste like they’ve been sitting out for weeks and Neiman Marcus also sold the Moller Skycar. So, I’m not sure that just dropping names is really going to convince me or anyone else.