A vodka made in California was named the World's Best Varietal Vodka by the World Vodka Awards for 2022. Hailing from the sleepy, seaside town of Oxnard, Silvergrin Vodka beat out the top vodkas from 18 other countries to receive the top award in its category.
This is the first time that the World Vodka Awards’ (part of World Drinks Awards) highest honor for this category was won by a California brand. The complete 2022 list of winning vodkas can be found here.
Drawing on the history of vodka as a spirit with deep agricultural roots, Silvergrin is made with a triple-origin mash bill of farm grown Alturas potatoes, organic corn and Dark Red winter wheat. The vodka features a recipe developed by three-time James Beard nominated bartender, Josh Goldman, and PhD biochemist David Brandt.
“We set out to destroy the myth that vodka had to be odorless, flavorless and without distinct character,” said Goldman. “I don't need something so dull in my cocktails. It's like cooking with water vs. cooking with stock. Vodka done right tastes good and adds much more to the cocktail than just alcohol.”
The recent win for Silvergrin comes fresh on the heels of the United States’ recent change to the legal definition of vodka. In 2020, the Alcohol and Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) revised their requirement that vodka needed to be “without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color.”
Writing about the decision in April, 2020, the TTB explained: “Based on its review of the comments, TTB agrees that the requirement that vodka be without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color no longer reflects consumer expectations and should be eliminated.”
Silvergrin's launch in the summer of 2020 makes it among the first class of American vodkas introduced after the revision.
“America is home to some of the finest agricultural soil in the world,” said Sespe Creek Distillery Owner Alfred English. “And especially on some smaller, family farms, the quality of grains and vegetables is truly extraordinary. If you're making a spirit from such delicious crops, why would you want to strip all of that flavor and character out? We thought you could make a much better vodka by honoring the base ingredients instead of hiding them.”
Silvergrin is currently available at select retailers in California and begins distribution in Texas later this year.
To learn more about Silvergrin, visit Silvergrin.com.
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