New Amsterdam Vodka

New Amsterdam consistently stands out as an affordable vodka with a surprisingly elegant bottle. A staple for budget-conscious Millennials, New Amsterdam always struck me as a vodka I could appreciate back when I disliked vodka (how times have changed!). Revisiting this vodka after trying many others is quite revealing: for its cost, New Amsterdam is an outstanding vodka that's hard to beat. The nose is pleasantly subdued and gentle. There's no blast of alcohol fumes or unpleasant chemical scents. The dominant aroma is sweet corn with a faint hint of alcohol. There's little else to comment on here. Aromas don't get much simpler. Uncomplicated is the defining characteristic of the palate. A very distinct sweet corn flavor is present throughout the entire experience. It remains consistent and doesn't feel like sugar was added to enhance its natural sweetness. It's a pleasant, natural corn sweetness that creates a simple, smooth experience from start to finish. A light bitterness marks the finish, but for a corn vodka, it's a rather mild, gentle bitterness that doesn't detract. Even the burn is very subtle, registering as a light to medium sensation for me. The texture is unremarkable. It leans slightly oily, similar to Tito's but less pronounced. Everything about this vodka is straightforward, accessible, and well-executed. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but conversely, there's nothing wrong with it either. It's a well-crafted vodka, and for $10, it easily surpasses many competitors at higher price points.

I sampled both the standard New Amsterdam and the Peach and Apple flavored varieties. Generally quite unremarkable across the board. The unflavored New Amsterdam is about what one would expect from a vodka at its price point. A slight burning sensation, not particularly smooth even when chilled, and an unpleasant aftertaste. It's evident even the unflavored version is intended for mixing rather than sipping neat, unfortunately. The flavored versions (Peach and Apple that I tried) fare slightly better, but not by much. Considering they are 70 proof compared to the 80 proof of most traditional vodkas, they are a little less harsh in that regard. However, they are sugary/syrupy and almost excessively flavored. The Apple, in particular, brings to mind 99 Apples. Ultimately, I have no reason to recommend New Amsterdam. It's average to below average. Numerous other vodkas in that price range are significantly better: Russian Standard or Effen are far superior for unflavored options at that cost.

I sampled this vodka during a business trip; it's suitable only for basic mixed drinks. The aroma is reminiscent of rubbing alcohol mixed with baby oil. While it's inexpensive, which isn't necessarily bad, it does mix well with OJ and coke, which is its primary strength. It brings back memories of college shots, and I hope I've moved past that stage. It serves best as a mixer, and I didn't care for it neat.

Certainly not bad for the price, but this is a very plain grain vodka. It has a slightly buttery character with flavors of orange creamsicle and a hint of cough syrup, finishing with a touch of grain bitterness. It also has a fair amount of ethanol, but not enough to ruin the experience. I won't be purchasing it again, but it's acceptable for ten dollars.

To my taste, I detect virtually nothing from this, extremely neutral with just a whisper of sweetness and ethanol. Very much the classic American vodka. Which where I live it's priced almost the same as a certain popular brand and a premium option. Which also similarly I find to be very neutral vodkas.

The description mentions burning, but I think "peppery" would be more fitting. As a peppery vodka, it has a good flavor that lets you know you're drinking something. Try with a lemon or a liqueur. Don't sip it by itself.