Decadent Vodka

Another Total Wine exclusive vodka, this one is reportedly made in France then bottled and branded in Minnesota. There's not much more information on this vodka to the point where I couldn't even figure out what the base grain was. If I had to take a guess I'd say Winter Wheat based on the aroma and taste, but I can't be too sure. The bottle just tells us it's made from "premium grains." Lack of information aside, this actually does have a great nose. Leathery fruits, a hint of creaminess, and what I believe to be the smell of wheat vodka all linger nicely on the nose. We even have a touch of peppery goodness at the end that makes this a pleasant vodka to smell. However, the taste doesn't follow much of the nose. It has a creamy, well-rounded texture and feel. The reason why I'm convinced this is a wheat vodka is that following the creamy front, the midpalate reminds me of winter wheat vodkas like Contari. Whatever tastes this has are very subtle and almost elegant. Curiously, in the mid-back palate, a lot of minerality begins to come through, and it defines the back palate. I wouldn't call it unpleasant so much as completely unexpected. I'm sure that has to do with the water source they chose, because it's in stark contrast with the aroma and front palate of the base grain. The finish has a noticeable burn, but it feels sophisticated. This isn't the rough burn of a poorly crafted product. More like the assertive, confident burn of a vodka that's not afraid to have some character and make its presence known in a mixed drink or cocktail. As mentioned before, the texture isn't like water, as there is a thick, almost cream-like texture. While I'm not entirely sold on Decadent Vodka overall, with its somewhat disjointed palate and distinct burn, it's still a vodka I'd keep on the shelf now and then. This is just good enough where you can sip on it when you want a more assertive yet subtle vodka, and as a mixer, it has enough presence to not get lost in the mix. However, there are better bottles at similar price points that make it hard for me to fully recommend this outing.