Review: Valentine Vodka
Valentine Vodka was launched March 2009. It is crafted by founder and distiller Rifino Valentine who after graduating from Cornell, spent 11 years on Wall Street as an independent trader. He than returned home to Michigan to open the first micro distillery in Detroit since prohibition. Valentine Vodka is crafted with a blend of 50% corn, 25% Red Michigan wheat, and 25% barley, all locally sourced. This is the same 3 grain mix Van Gogh selected to craft their original unflavored vodka, and continues to use as a base for their flavored vodka. Dragon Bleu Vodka is made with barley, wheat, and rye. Ultimat Vodka is made with potato, wheat, and rye. Valentine Vodka is small batch distilled in a 225 gallon Christian Carl still with two 35 foot columns, housing 42 trays. It is then slow filtered for 24 hours in a double false bottom 50 gallon drum through a proprietary activated carbon system made from coconut shells. A one week aeration to oxidate, esterficate and create long-chain-molecule flavor compounds follows. Water filtered through reverse osmosis is blended to reduce to proof before the vodka is hand bottled.The aroma is grain vodka with sweet corn highlights. The sweet corn and vanilla entry is joined by creamy wheat flavor building to a dried fruit peak. The body of this vodka is soft and creamy. It fades with berry fruit pastry flavor and finishes warm, crisp and semidry with a black peppery sting. This is a well crafted vodka that may be hard to find, but it is well worth the effort.
Love Potion
1 1/4 Oz. Valentine Vodka
1 Oz. Amaretto
3/4 Oz. Peach Puree
1 Oz. Fresh Orange Juice
1 Oz. Cranberry Juice
Shake With Ice and Strain Into
A Chilled Martini Glass
Garnish With an Orange Wedge
Made in Ferndale Michigan
40% Alcohol
Award: Gold Medal