Contari

It's uncommon to encounter Italian Vodkas, and as a Total Wine Spirit Direct purchase with a $2 off coupon, it was hard to pass up. Crafted from winter wheat, the European influence is evident in the aroma. It's direct yet surprisingly pleasing: it smells of wheat, a subtle undefined sweetness, and just a hint of ethanol, confirming it's indeed an alcoholic beverage. The palate is unexpectedly sweet without distinct flavor notes. It's actually nearly as sweet as many corn vodkas, with the added benefit of being distinctly less bitter than corn-based distillates tend to be. A pleasant wheat flavor underlies the entire experience, closely mirroring the nose and lingering to the back of the palate. Beyond the sweetness and wheat undertones, the finish is extremely light, very smooth with only a mild burn and the faintest hints of alcohol bitterness. Texturally, it has a medium viscosity, comparable to other wheat-based vodkas. Overall, this offers a very smooth, sweet experience. It's somewhat one-dimensional and unexciting, but there are no significant flaws. For its price point, it's a steal, providing good sweetness without much bitterness. Definitely give this one a try.

A sharp, winter wheat vodka from Tuscany, Italy. It's made with plate distillation and slow filtration, resulting in a quick, sweet, and spicy finish. May 2019.