Union Forge Vodka
Travel Distilled reviews Union Forge Vodka from Pennsylvania and made at the oldest continually-operating distillery in the state.
Union Forge Vodka is made in Pennsylvania from Pennsylvania Rye and is distilled in the oldest continually-operating distillery in the Keystone State, also known as the Birthplace of America.
The vodka is made using Pennsylvania Rye from McKean County and pure spring water. It’s produced by the Philadelphia-based Charles Jacquin et Cie., Inc, a company that is better-known for being America’s oldest cordial producer, and also the maker of specialist drinks like their Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog and Irish Manor Irish Cream Liqueur.
The company was founded in 1884 with the express intent of producing old-world cordials in the United States. They survived Prohibition by switching to non-alcoholic cordials, switching back again to the alcoholic cordials when they could. By the 1950s they had over forty different cordials and liqueurs to their name, and the company has now been family-owned and operated for the last three generations.
Union Forge Vodka
Union Forge Vodka is a fairly new adventure for this old company, then, having only been released in April 2022, though even before it was released it was already an International Spirits Challenge 2022 gold medal winner in a blind-tasting. Not bad for a new kid on the block.
The first thing to say is what a fantastic bottle it is, with lettering embossed in the glass and a little handle making it look a bit like a bottle of moonshine. This ain’t no moonshine, though!
Tasting Union Forge Vodka
On the nose the vodka is very clean and fresh-smelling, with a hint of liquorice. On the palate it’s equally clean, definitely a classy vodka with a smooth mouth-feel, and that hint of liquorice is now joined by a dash of something spicy which stays with you on the finish. I’m not surprised it won a gold medal in a blind tasting. It’s definitely a vodka you can sip and savor, neat or on the rocks, and I’m guessing that touch of spice means it’s going to make an excellent Bloody Mary. The bottle’s a keeper, too.
Buying Union Forge Vodka
You can find out more on the Union Forge Vodka website and on the Jacquin’s website, where you’ll also find some cocktail suggestions from some of their employees for their unique range of drinks. Check them out.
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