Tower Vodka

The budget-friendly alternative to a popular vodka, this spirit proves that while imitation can be flattering, cheap flattery often comes at a cost. What little aroma this vodka possesses is elusive. It carries scents of dusty fields, an intense, undefined sweetness, and a hint of alcohol. Initially, it evokes the muted, dusty character of another vodka, but it lacks that pleasant yeasty quality. Its flavor profile is equally understated. A pleasing sweetness from the corn is present in the initial and middle stages, but it's unremarkable. Midway through, a bitterness emerges, typical of corn-based vodkas, reminiscent of an unidentifiable citrus zest, like that found in generic restaurant salad dressings – not bad, but entirely forgettable. There's also the faintest hint of corn, barely perceptible even when actively searching for it. The finish offers a moderate to mild burn, slightly stronger than its well-known counterpart, but less noticeable due to the preceding bitterness preparing the palate. This vodka isn't ideal for sipping. Like its inspiration, it functions best as a mixer, leveraging its noticeable sweetness. It's also acceptable for shots, though the burn is more pronounced than the brand it emulates. Honestly, distinguishing it from that other vodka would be difficult, except for its texture: this one is notably more watery, whereas the other is oilier. It's as if a familiar vodka and a widely available one had a child; the aroma and sweetness lean towards the former, while the watery consistency, strong neutrality, and bitter finish are reminiscent of the latter. Unfortunately, it's simply a less interesting version of both. Nevertheless, for those seeking a budget-friendly and serviceable option for a gathering, it's a decent, if uninspired, choice.

Nose - dry grain, bitter herbal notes, black pepper, dusty bland sweetness, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - sweet grain, black pepper, unidentifiable citrus zest, bitter herbal notes, bland corn sweetness, paper, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with citrus, sweet grain, and bitter herbal notes. This is basically a Tito’s imitation sold by Total Wine. It has many of the same characteristics, and I would probably struggle to tell them apart. The aroma is extremely similar, though perhaps a bit more herbal and alcoholic. The taste is similar, but the strong paper note I notice in Tito’s is thankfully reduced. If not comparing them directly, I'd say the Tower is slightly better, but it's too close to definitively say. I think they've managed to create a decent alternative to Tito’s, and for $3 less per bottle, I would choose it if those were my only choices. It probably goes without saying, but I'd much rather drink Jim Beam Original.

Tower vodka has a scent like neutral distilled water. The initial taste is neutral with distilled water and a hint of semi-bitter citrus. The finish is a hot ginger spice. It tastes so watered down, you question if it's 80 proof. The bottom line is it's not good drunk neat or in a mix.

A neutral corn vodka from Texas. Clearly a spirit produced in bulk for Total Wine to rival Tito's. That being said, Tower lacks the oily texture of Tito's and is comparably neutral – at a lower price.

Chilled to 34 degrees Fahrenheit, straight from the refrigerator. Medium sweetness across the entire palate, easy to drink. Slightly warming as it goes down. A very reasonable price; I will purchase it again.

A crisp, corn-based vodka from Texas; distilled six times in copper stills for a complex finish. April 2016 / July 2017 / March 2018 / November 2019