New Amsterdam Vodka 100 Proof

There is an immediate warmth, similar to a bottled-in-bond bourbon. It also possesses a pleasant fullness and sweetness. Alongside some peppery notes and harshness, there's an unfortunate, faint hint of sulfur. The sulfur note is very subtle, likely to be masked in most cocktails, but it is present. I appreciate the high proof and the viscous sweetness and richness that accompany it, but beyond that, there isn't much character. I will need to adjust my rating downwards, although this remains a functional vodka. Considering its proof and cost, it's not a poor purchase. The underlying bitterness truly tastes like vodka—just a bit too industrial and uninspired. Be prepared for a very intense burn with this one. For dedicated bourbon enthusiasts, this might be a suitable option. Otherwise, I would suggest a smoother, lower-proof vodka with a more appealing and interesting flavor profile.

Ah, there's a rather nice rich flavor here. It remains quite harsh, though. The palate isn't bad, but it's dull. A decent option if you need to give a drink a bit more intensity, but otherwise not very good. The profile is fine but boring. It's difficult to determine a reasonable final score for this because it's so harsh. There's a hint of something bitter and industrial in here, so I'm sticking with my previous rating. There are some pleasant fruity floral notes, but nothing particularly exciting.

The aroma has a touch of alcohol but is otherwise unremarkable. The taste is immediately harsher than other vodkas due to its higher proof. It has a sweet flavor with some richness and a hint of subtly floral grain. It's quite harsh and not very complex, but I quite like it. It's better than a 12, but likely not a 15. There's a definite suggestion of corn, and also something slightly more herbal. It's good, so I'll start it at 14.

I picked this up since it was very inexpensive and I plan to experiment with creating liqueurs using garden botanicals. My hopes aren't high, but we'll see. The aroma is primarily neutral grain spirit, as anticipated, along with stainless steel and a hint of vanilla. The taste is quite sharp, featuring peculiar notes of concrete and metal; perhaps I’ll describe it as "industrial." The brief finish is simply alcohol.