Javelin Vodka Review

Javelin Vodka is made in California with the express purpose of supporting the people of Ukraine by donating all proceeds to the non-profit charity Razom.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has seen acts of unbelievable horror and cruelty as families have been ripped apart and lost their loved ones in the conflict.

However, it’s also produce incredible acts of kindness as people all over the world try to help. As just one example, friends of ours in Scotland have given over their home to house a Ukrainian mother and her three children, giving them a refuge in their friendly little Scottish village, Moniaive.

Javelin Vodka

A few thousand miles away in California, the O’Neill Vintners & Distillers are also doing what they can to help. In their case it’s producing a vodka and donating all proceeds to the non-profit charity Razom, which is helping to rebuild Ukraine.

Razom concentrates on providing critical humanitarian war relief including providing medicine, hospital supplies, communication devices, and with evacuating vulnerable populations. If you’d like to help, beyond buying Javelin Vodka, you can go to Razom’s Amazon Wish List where you can directly purchase the most-needed supplies and donate them.

The name Razom, by the way, means ‘together’ in Ukrainian. And why Javelin Vodka? You can read all about the creation of the meme about Saint Javelin during the Russian invasion of Ukraine here.

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers was founded in 2004 and is better-known for its wines, though they have also made spirits such as their small-batch California brandy, BRANDYLAB.

In a generous gesture to start the ball rolling, they have donated $50,000 to Rezom, and will be producing 5,500 cases of Javelin Vodka in the first year, with all proceeds also going to Rezom.

Making Javelin Vodka

Javelin Vodka is a blend of super-premium neutral grain spirit and a grape-based spirit, the blending being done by O’Neill’s Master Distiller, Erik Ettner.

Tasting Javelin Vodka

The first thing you notice is the handsome bottle. If you look from the sides or the back it looks like a clear vodka bottle but from the front you see the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag overlaid with a white dove of peace.

I’m sure the distillers felt a responsibility to produce a quality vodka in order to raise money for this worthy cause, and they’ve certainly done that. It’s perfectly neutral on the nose, and tastes as smooth as can be. There are hints of peppermint and vanilla on the palate, and a note of liquorice, making for a top-shelf vodka in a mid-shelf price range. It was enjoyable on its own for sipping, and made for a good long drink mixed with a Q Tonic and a dash of lemon juice. It looks terrific on the shelf, too.