1941 Craft Vodka

This vodka is quite unusual. It's much like a rival to Tito's from Minnesota, with comparable marketing that emphasizes "craft vodka" and targets a very sweet, corn-based flavor profile. At about $14 for a 750 mL bottle, 1941 Vodka is clearly aiming to take market share from Tito's, and the similarities extend beyond just their promotion and cost. The scent immediately brings Tito's Vodka to mind with its sweet, dusty grain aroma, but this version is oddly more refined and distinct. Tito's aroma is subtler, requiring more effort to discern the smells. Here, the sweet grain scent is prominent, though the base grain is difficult to identify. My initial guess was corn, which research confirmed, but its corn characteristics are faint. While I detected a dusty grain smell, it's less intense than in either Tito's or Tower Vodka (Total Wine's alternative to Tito's). A pleasant hint of ethanol is present, without detracting from the sweetness or being unpleasant. So far, this sounds standard, making you wonder why I called it a weird vodka. The taste, however, is all over the place. It's intensely sweet, proudly showcasing its corn base, yet also tastes strangely dusty, mirroring its aroma. There's a pleasant buttery note too, reminiscent of wheat vodkas, giving it an almost creamy texture. Most notably, it lacks the bitterness found in the finish of most corn vodkas, but it still feels unpolished. Somewhere in the mid to back palate, ethanol emerges and dominates. It's not harsh or overly noticeable, but it makes it difficult to recommend as a straight drink, even with its pervasive and amazing sweetness. The finish has a moderate burn, manageable and easily masked in most drinks or cocktails. Once you get past the sharp ethanol transition, a pleasing sweet corn flavor remains, concluding the vodka on a positive note. The texture is somewhat watery but not devoid of character. Ultimately, 1941 Vodka stands as a worthy competitor to Tito's and merits consideration if you're a fan. I still believe superior vodkas exist at similar or lower price points, but if you desire the distinct sweetness of corn vodkas, this might be your budget option. It's just a bit too rough around the edges for a higher rating, but it's far from a bad vodka.

Silky and smooth