The issue with small batch vodka’s in America is that while they are obviously better than a lot of the other lower tier American vodkas – they are often hard to find and expensive.
I will say that it is certainly unique that for a small batch we have a number that is <50 (25) but that just gives me more pause on the ability to find this – despite it being from the Midwest. At least with a local variety like Twenty 2 they are local to us in Maine and can therefore be found.
What they Say: “This small batch vodka by Grays Peak Spirits is distilled 5 times and uses only premium American grain and charcoal filters for peak smoothness.”
Taste: 5.5 – It starts off crisper and almost medicinal, which is not really a complement.
Aftertaste: 7.0 – Thankfully though it quickly gives way to a nice creaminess.
Burn/Smooth: 4.0 – There’s a little burn, but it’s also not really as smooth going down despite the creaminess.
Aroma: 5.0 – It’s not a great smell, and there’s a bit of ethanol to it.
Honesty: 4.5 – It’s a Midwestern vodka so it’s not that authentic, add the small batch and bottle design and it mostly just middles out.
Mixability: 8.5
White Russian: 8.5 – That is a truly damn fine russian.
Value: 4.0 – Just really not worth it, not that you could find it, which makes it worth even less.
Google Shop Average: $22
Website: http://grayspeakspirits.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 5.5
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Metric Score: 38.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 5.5 |+| Reviewer Average: 5.5
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Final Thoughts: While this makes a really good Russian – I would still likely go with Reyka or Hammer + Sickle for my Russian needs.
I’d like to know who is selling this bottle for more than $15. Sounds like stores near you are overpriced (or stores near me in southern New England has it for a bargain) but I bought a bottle (same size as pictured) for $12.95+tax at my local liquor store. In my opinion; this small batch vodka has a above average taste for a below average price! I will DEFINETLY recxomend to a friend,
I will DEFINETLY buy again.
7/22/2021 In Austin, TX I bought a bottle yesterday for $23. I was talked into it by the guy in the liquor store, Willing to try something new.
Prices usually are calculated with a strong bias to the price we got it, but also checking various beverage sites on Google and places like Wine-Searcher, hence the shop average. The problem is there’s so much variance (especially) with craft distilleries and what stores will sell them, that we have to base the average price on all of that combined.
Picked it up for $11 at Premier in Buffalo. 750ml of Smirnoff was $12, Sobieski was $11, Crystal Palace was $7 and Kamchatka was $9. I splurged on this and felt I got good value for my money, mainly cause I made a few cosmos & got laid. But for White Russians and watching hockey alone, it probably would not be worth the extra four bucks. YMMV.
I picked a 750ml bottle up in Burlingame Ca, for 15.99. I don’t usually drink vodka but I found Gray’s Peak to be entirely unoffensive. Not a revelation but I enjoyed it and the price was decent. If I had picked it up for $11 like some of the east coast reviewers I would be writing a glowing review. Not bad, made a non vodka drinker write an actual review, so there’s that going for it.
I live in Canada, so there’s no comparison to US liquor prices. All varieties here remain highly taxed.
Compared to other varieties available here which are myriad, I have to say that the two best are a locally
produced Baccardi (Russian Prince) and a Ukrainian variety, Zirkova. Giving the broad edge to Zirkova. Greys Peak is undrinkable straight by comparison, even frozen, it lacks smoothness going down, though I would rate the body as superior. It is made from corn grain, not rye as all good vodkas must be so it gives heat, rather than spice.
It does mix well, so I will give it that. On score out of ten, I give it a solid six. There’s just too many better or similar priced products made from rye that are superior straight whether frozen or room temperature or mixed, available at the same or better price.
I am a Grey Goose vodka fan but I recently tried this for the first time and I am very impressed. Smooth and as I heard in a review “non-offensive” is very true. I have a new vodka!!!
Received as a gift during Xbox party. Hit it and quit it after a couple of shots. Trying again under different circumstances after being in ice-chest with frozen water and cubes and its still quite bite-y and medicinal. I prefer Luksusowa for sipping, shots and mixers.
I purchased a bottle(Blend #45) , every week, but this time the seal did not break from the seal is it ok to drink?