Review: Upstate Vodka
Upstate Vodka was just released. This is not the same 90 proof version of Upstate Vodka previously released. Upstate is farm to bottle craft distilled at Sauvage Distillery in Charlotteville New York, from 100% New York State grown apples, by Head Distiller Ken Wortz. 70-80 apples are needed to produce 1 bottle of Upstate Vodka. Once the juice is extracted from the apples it is fermented with Kosher Champagne yeast and twice distilled in 16 and 18 plate two-column stills. Only one state produces more apples than the state of New York, and with over 700 orchards in New York it should come as no surprise Upstate Vodka is made from apples instead of grain. Upstate Vodka is currently available at select New York and Connecticut liquor stores and it is available to purchase online and ship to 30 states from Sauvage. Each bottle is numbered and dated. My bottle is from batch 1, bottle number 7768. The aroma leads with juicy apple. Additional time brings out hints of oak. The sweet apple entry has a soft viscus mouth feel building to a creamy apple strudel peak. It fades with vanilla and cinnamon apple and finishes with bittersweet apple, and caramel, leaving a warm semi-dry, crisp, mild peppery sting.
War of Roses
2 Dashes Rose Water
.5 Oz. Lemon Juice
.5 Oz. Simple Syrup
1.5 Oz. Strawberry Puree
1.5 Oz. Upstate Vodka
Shake With Ice and Double Strain
Into an Ice Filled Collins Glass
Top With Soda & Stir With Bar Spoon
Garnish With Lemon Rose or
Expressed Lemon Twist
Made in Charlotteville New York
40% Alcohol
Score: 92
Award: Gold Medal