Tina’s Vodka
Travel Distilled tries Tina’s Vodka, a female-owned organic American vodka made from100% sustainably-farmed organic non-GMO corn.
Who is the Tina of Tina’s Vodka?
Tina Karras went from Charlotte to Los Angeles, ‘suitcase and guitar in hand’ (well, actually it was two suitcases), with the intention of making it as a singer-songwriter. While she was working on it she had to pay the rent, though, and did it by working in restaurants. Eventually she got a job at the Roxy Theatre.
At the Roxy Tina kept getting promoted and eventually was given the job of alcohol buyer for the venue. For this she had to attend numerous liquor and wine tastings and educational classes, leading to an increased interest in the spirits business. She’s also interested in organic products and sustainable production, and couldn’t find an organic American vodka made from 100% non-GMO corn, so she decided to make one.
Tina’s Music
All along, Tina had also been pursuing her music and self-funded an album that you can buy on Amazon and on other digital music platforms. You can also find her on YouTube and listen to tracks from her album, Classical Dreams.
She funded Tina’s Vodka using her credit cards and a loan, and both were set to come out when Covid turned up. Not great timing for the launch of two very differing business ventures. Not to mention becoming unemployed when the hospitality industry was badly hit.
Still, Tina persisted and her faith in herself was rewarded when Tina’s Vodka became a hit first in LA and then around the country thanks to distributorship from Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, which has an interesting range of products. It’s an inspiring story, and a confirmation that you should never give up on your dreams.
Tasting Tina’s Vodka
I’d already had a sip or two of Tina’s Vodka and really liked it, which sent me to look up this terrific background story. The bottle itself is a standard vodka bottle, but the simple yet cool design makes it stand out. At the bottom are green shoots of young corn, which the vodka in the bottle grew out of. I like that. The logo is a brilliant graphic of a tree made out of a map of the world, and on top sits the wise old owl, a nod to Tina’s own Greek background, as the owl is a symbol of Athens.
On the nose the vodka is clean and fresh, with a hint of a natural sweetness. Tasting it, that freshness comes through, as does the sweetness, with some citrus and herbal notes, perhaps a dash of mint, and a flinty quality. An excellent vodka to sip or mix.
How to Start a Liquor Company
By the way, if you’re thinking of starting a liquor company you can get some advice from Tina on YouTube:
Buying Tina’s Vodka
The vodka has a very reasonable recommended price of $35 for a 750ml bottle, and is 40% ABV (80 proof). You can find out where to buy it on the Tina’s Vodka website.
Buying Tina’s Vodka
The vodka has a very reasonable recommended price of $35 for a 750ml bottle, and is 40% ABV (80 proof). You can find out where to buy it on the Tina’s Vodka website.
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