Willa Vodka review

I will admit that I’ve encountered a vodka or two over the years. Some better, and some far worse, than others. When I got into craft liquors and tried vodka, I was happy to find nuances and some actual flavors that come from using organic ingredients. The care that goes into a craft liquor is usually obvious, and Willa Vodka doesn’t disappoint in that respect. Here are my notes – sláinte!

Color: I’m pretty sure this one goes without saying, right?

Nose: Very faint smell of alcohol, with a touch of sweet. And when I say “faint”, I had to take a few whiffs to really get a feel for it – which is good! Vodka is a neutral spirit – it shouldn’t jump out at you before you even taste it.

Taste: I start every review with the chosen spirit neat, so I noticed the legs on the glass first, which is pretty unusual for vodka. (Legs are basically what stays on the side of the glass after you swirl it around, normally a wine term.) The key brand facts on their website mention an optimum viscosity, which isn’t something I associate with vodka, so I was intrigued. The taste has pretty much the same amount of burn as the smell – which is to say, almost none. Very smooth, light finish. Adding the single ice cube (also suggested from their site), it’s actually even smoother, with an almost chocolate finish.

ABV: 35% (70 proof) It has a slightly lower ABV than its counterparts, along with a slightly lower calorie count.

Price point: $28. Vodkas that I’d consider drinkable range from $25-$60, so this fits nicely in anyone’s budget. Get your bottle here.

Other notes: Willa Vodka is a versatile spirit. Smooth and clean, it works on the rocks or would mix well in any of your favorite drinks. It seems a shame to lose this vodka in a Bloody Mary, but to each his own. For me, a squeeze of a Meyer lemon did nicely (they are sweeter than regular lemons).

This craft spirit has all the great characteristics combined into one glass: it both tastes and smell like something you want to drink. Mix it or not, it works either way. Price-point makes for an affordable everyday drink and is definitely a good choice for a gift.

2 out of 3 – yum!