BEE VODKA: IRRESISTIBLY SMOOTH
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AWARDS
Double Gold Medal & Best of Class
91 Points, "Highly Recommended" rating
85Points, "Highly Recommended" rating
81 Points, "Recommended" rating
Gold Medal
Gold Medal & "Exceptional" rating 91 points
Silver Medal
Christopher Null of DrinkHacker.com Made in the back room of Montezuma Winery, in New York’s Finger Lakes region, this spirit is column distilled from 100% corn mash and bottled at 80 proof. The initial nose of grain and corn on the cob is powerful and pungent. Much sweeter on the palate than you expect, the corn character here develops into something akin to buttered popcorn, crisp and fragrant — and fresh and young. As white whiskey goes, Wreckin’ Ball is surprisingly far away from the brash monster its name and label would suggest. Smooth and simple (being a standard proof level instead of straight-off-the-still strength helps), this lightly sweet libation doesn’t scream with complexity, and it knows it doesn’t need to. Nov. 7, 2012
Whiskey Advocate - Score 84 Notes: From the people at Hidden Marsh Distillery who brought us Bee Vodka comes a corn whiskey made from 100 % organic heirloom corn. Distilled to 140 proof to maintain plenty of the flavors and characteristics of the corn ( rather than distilling to 190 proof to strip any character out the way most vodka producers do) then rested, cut to 80 proof and bottled . Appearance: Faultlessly clear bright appearance, nice heavy body to it with a good oily edge line on swirling with rapidly forming thin legs, then tears forming.First Impression: Very promising creamy corn notes with a almost seductive heavy bouquet that promises a lot of corn grin,butter, and a slight creamy sweetness with lovely smooth alcohol notes and no cutting, spiritous notes. Just about every nice smell a good aged spirit can give. Taste: Somehow grainy and creamy at the same time, think ground corn in a creamy, slightly oily almost batter like mouthfeel with a nice fatty mouthfeel to it.Slightly corn sweet entry with a nicely lingering drying finish.Drinks: We did a number of cocktails with this whiskey and even came up with some new recipes . It proved itself quite versatile and charming, adding a lot of nice flavors and some serious weight to the body and mouthfeel without overpowering a drink. Bottle: Heavy clear glass with heavy decanter like bottom.Very reminiscent of an old style clay jug in shape – down to th finger ring handle in the shoulder/neck area of the bottle. What really sets it apart from some other similar bottles is the amassing label art work and the wrecking ball on a chain neck seal. Altogether a distinctive and attractive package that will stand out on a bar shelf (either a home or professional bar )Cigars : Try it with a Ashton Shade Grown wrapper, Macanudo Cafe′ or similar spicy cigar
Final Thoughts: Definitely one of the best corn whiskies I have tasted. Only reason we didn’t give it a 10 olive rating is I think the proof is a bit modest and could be a touch higher. A 100 proof edition would show off the product a bit better and give it a touch more taste and authority. A barrel strength limited edition would be a real show stopper even at a premium price.
Maple Liqueur First Impression: Maple, caramel, hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Appearance: Slightly pale gold like of course, maple syrup. Very thin coating on glass. Slowly goes from scalloped edgeline to legs, then droplets. Taste: Thick body and entry to it. Nice maple flavor wihtout being overdone or tasting sickly sweet. Drinks: Works well with rum. Swap out orgeat syrup in Tiki drinks for an interesting spin on a cocktail. Could be substituted for St Germain in many drinks calling for it. Also think about using it instead of an Amaretto for a maple rather than almond flavor. Excellent over pastries or ice cream also. Bottle: Clear glass, cylindrical eau de vie type bottle. Metallic paper label, black plastic neckwrap with pull top cork closure. Final Thoughts: Nicely done liqueur. A touch pricey compared to somoe but excellent quality and innovative.
Raspberry Liqueur Appearance: Raspberry red in a natural appearing way - not a neon colored fake. Very thin coating on glass. Slowly goes from scalloped edgeline to legs then droplets. Taste: Slightly thick body and entry to it. Nicely authentic flavor to it without being over sweetened. Nice berry and slight seedy/acidic notes to it. Drinks: Works well with rum. Swap out grenadine syrup or cherry heering in drinks for a somewhat drier interesting spin on a cocktail. Could be substituted for St Germain in many drinks calling for it. Excellent over pastries or ice cream also. Bottle: Clear glass, cylindrical eau de vie type bottle. Metallic paper label, black plastic neckwrap with pull top cork closure make it a atractive package. Final Thoughts: Nicely done liqueur. A touch pricey compared to some but excellent quality and innovative.
BEE Vodka Taste: No nasty grain/rubbing alcohol scents to it, good body to it. Very nice smooth taste to it with a hint of honey, citrus, dry not sweet. Slight and very pleasant warming finish to it with a echo of a dry honey at finish. Appearance: Crystal clear, no sediment whatsoever. On swirling, it leaves a thin clear coat on the inside of the glass with crenellated edge line (meniscus) then quickly dissolves to droplets. Wonderful bright appearance.
Final Thoughts: I was actually quite impressed with it. Altogether very nicely done and deadly smooth. Highly recommend. The only vodka we know of made entirely from honey (not a rectified alcohol and honey vodka mix), making a vodka made from one of the most expensive base materials around (maple syrup in Vermont Gold being a close second). While it is pricey, it is by far one of the best vodkas in the Ultra Premium Category and given the price of raw materials costs a lot more than the others to produce so the price is more justified. If you intend to spend around $50 for a bottle of vodka and want real quality rather than a name and flash-buy this one and enjoy it. Taste: Apples,vanilla and lingering notes of tobacco, char, leather that develop after a bit. As it is only aged for 1 year it still tastes and smells strongly of apples (in a nice way) the wood has not overwhelmed the apple tastes but is extremely smooth. A lot of calvados this age tastes like it would take the paint off a car. Appearance: Straw colored, a trace more yellow than a cognac of similar age: very small particles/sediment - but you have to look hard. Light coating on the glass when you swirl it, a crenellated edge on swirling with long thin legs developing after a bit.
Final Thoughts: This is a very nice and subtle apple brandy, especially for one that is only a year old.
CLICK HERE to view this video of Bill Martin, the distiller at Montezuma Winery and Hidden Marsh Distillery discuss the process of making Apple Brandy, Bee Vodka and Queen’s Flight Honey Brandy.
LINKS Beverage Testing Institute reviews on spirits, beer and wine DrinkUpNY online order site for shipping craft distilled products MicroShiner for the lastest craft distilling news Modern Age Distillery a must read for anyone who is serious about getting the scoop on what is going inside the distilling industry. Spirit Journal by F. Paul Pacult the world's leading authority on spirits, beer, and fortified wines. Spirits Reviews by Chris Carlsson |
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