Vodka 14- One to get

Vodka 14- USDA Certified Organic

Not long ago I began to hear a little here and a little bit there about a new vodka on the market called Vodka 14. I'll admit the name stood out a little and piqued my curiosity. So I started doing a little research. I went to their website to find out more, and was greeted by a  well put together site. Unlike some drink related websites, who will remain unnamed, Vodka 14's web presence sets the tone for every other experience I have had with them: First class. They don't rely on tricks or gimmicks. With a vodka this good they don't need to. I don't want to call it classy or sophisticated, even though it is, because it is so much more than that. Vodka 14 is what all vodkas want to be when they grow up.

I am fond of smaller distillers and for the little guy going up against the corporate giants. They have so much riding on their product that they have to make sure they are making the best spirit possible.

Run by the father and son team of Mitch and Matthew Baris, Vodka 14 is made is made in Colorado with certified organic grains and Rocky Mountain spring water. Their commitment to purity isn't just with the ingredients they choose, it goes well beyond that. Every aspect of  of Vodka 14 has been designed to to be as environmentally friendly, right down to the bottle itself.

"Vodka 14 boasts a United States Department of Agriculture Organic Certification, the highest legal benchmark of purity for a beverage, distinguishing it from other beverages on the top shelf. Vodka 14’s organic status means much more than a commitment to environmentally sound farming – it means exceptional purity. The grain Vodka 14 is distilled from is not chemically or genetically altered in any way and is farmed without sewage sludge fertilizers or chemical pesticides. Chemical additives are not used at any point in the distillation process and our distillery does not employ chemical cleaning agents, as many distilleries do, potentially tainting the finished product. USDA Organic guidelines are strictly enforced federal law, not marketing hype, and our organic ingredients and distillation process ensure the purest vodka available."

Vodka 14 is one of the smoothest vodkas I have ever tried. It is clean with a very slight burn, it has a very delicate sweetness, but it is not flavored. It's easy to see why Vodka 14 is winning awards and getting some serious recognition in the industry. Alone or mixed, this vodka stands out. They feature a multitude of outstanding recipes on their website, from the classics to new cocktails thought up by resident mixologist Mitch Baris. I had the pleasure of trying several and they were all amazing. I listed my favorites below.

Citrus Mint 14

• 2 oz Vodka 14
• 1 ½ oz fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
• mint
• sparkling water

Shake Vodka 14 over ice with fresh mint leaves in a martini shaker, then add grapefruit juice. Strain in an ice filled highball glass and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with whole fresh mint leaves.

Mt. Lincoln Limoncello 14er

• 3 oz of Vodka 14
• 2 ounces of Neopolitan Limoncello
• Sparkling water
• fresh basil

In a tall 8-ounce glass, add Vodka 14, Limoncello and a sprig of fresh basil.  Add sparkling water to the rim.  Stir.

Vuelta a España 14

• 3 ounces of Vodka 14
• 2 ounces of fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1 ounce chilled pomegranate juice

Shake Vodka 14 on ice, strain into a chilled martini glass.  Stir in orange juice and pomegranate juice. Garnish with a skewer of fresh strawberries, orange slices and mint leaves.

Even though it is only currently available at retailers in Colorado and Tennessee, Vodka 14 can be purchased online and hopefully will be hitting liquor store shelves in your area soon. Look for it, you will be glad you did. Click here for more information about purchasing Vodka 14. Highly recommended.

Cheers!

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