DSP CA 162 Straight Vodka is an 80-proof Mendocino craft vodka — a blend of wheat vodka and vodka distilled from aromatic wine (Riesling and Viognier), first distilled through the antique Germain-Robin Cognac still and then again in a Holstein pot still. The nose carries both the wheat and grape bases with notes of butterscotch, vanilla, white grape, and orange blossom; the palate is light, slightly sweet, and floral with vanilla, wheat grain, and orange blossom; the finish is slightly dry with delicate spice.

DSP CA 162 takes its name from the registration number of the original federal license obtained by Germain-Robin for its first distillery in 1982, on Eagle Rock Ranch west of Ukiah — the same Ranch distillery that, alongside Jorg Rupf’s St. George Spirits, was one of the first small distilleries licensed since Prohibition in 1919. The vodka comes from a collaboration between Ansley Coale of Craft Distillers (Germain-Robin co-founder) and Crispin Cain of Tamar Distillery; Crispin’s son Devin Cain led the fruit infusions through 2013, with first bottlings released in January 2014. The portfolio is built around this Straight vodka plus three fruit-infused expressions named with Latin nomenclature — Citrus Reticulata var. Sunshine (tangerines and tangelos), Citrus Medica var. Sarcodactylis (Buddha’s hand citrons), and Citrus Hystrix (Malaysian limes and leaves) — with fruit sourced from John Kirkpatrick’s orchards in Exeter, Tulare County, California.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla, white grape, orange blossom
• Palate: Light, slightly sweet, floral — vanilla, wheat grain, orange blossom
• Finish: Slightly dry with delicate spice

Specs

• Producer: DSP CA 162 (Ansley Coale, Craft Distillers + Crispin & Devin Cain, Tamar Distillery — Mendocino County, California)
• Style: Craft Vodka — wheat + aromatic-wine grape blend
• Distillation: Antique Germain-Robin Cognac still, then Holstein pot still
• Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
• Size: 750ml

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