That is, from a man named “Tito”? I did. After seeing repeated advertisments in the Wall Street Journal, I decided that Tito’s Handmade Vodka wasn’t some fly by night organization. And, although I had reservations about buying vodka made by a guy named Tito in Austin, Texas, I put all prejudice aside and brought home a bottle.
Tito, the owners’ real name, claims to distill his vodka six times in order to obtain the cleanest, smoothest vodka possible. He and his six employees distill the vodka in small batches, using techniques similar to the production of single malt scotches and high-end cognacs.
All boasting aside, technique doesn’t mean a thing unless they truly translates into the liquors taste. To be totally honest, I’m not one who drinks vodka straight. I’ve read plenty of reviews where the critics are gushing about a vodka’s distinctive notes, finishes, and so on. To me, I just can’t get there. I just know when it tastes “clean” or when it causes me make a horrible face.
Tito’s vodka actually lives up to the boasting. I don’t care how he actually makes it, I just know that it is noticely more smooth than most vodkas in its price range. My face doesn’t cringe and I know that if I over measure vodka when mixing a drink, it won’t overpower the cocktail. I can appreciate that. So next time your in the market for a mid-price bottle of eastern Europe’s most famous export, try the bottle from big cattle country.
I must have had a bunk bottle of Tito’s, which I purchased a few years back in my college days when a pretty girl was purveying it (don’t tell shannon!
) I was quite unimpressed, likely because I’ve been spoiled rotten by the absolute highest echelon of Vodka, Hangar one.
OOH! You guys should do a Hangar one review this weekend, and invite your ol’ buddy Todd! (I’ll even buy the bottle!)
Sounds like we’re doin’ Hangar One next!!!
I’m happy to read a review of this. I, too, keep on seeing the ad in the WSJ and keep on wondering about how this is.
Thanks Mike. I do recommend Tito’s. I was really surprised at the reasonable price. Plus, it’s a nice conversation piece.
maybe in future reviews, you could post the price of the liquor? Would help encourage (or discourage) following in your footsteps and trying what you did. Just a thought……. got nuttin, but love for ya and yer website.
Quinn, you make an excellent point, my friend. For example, Tito’s retails around $
2520 per bottle. Todd’s recommendation for Hangar One vodka will cost you around $4030 or so. So if there’s no discernable difference in taste or you plan to mix the vodka anyway, it may make more sense to go cheaper. I still haven’t learned how to tell vodkas apart too well.By the way, nuttin’ but luv for you and your baby’s mama.
I recently moved to Austin from New Orleans. A new friend gave me a bottle of Tito’s, made here in Austin - I was sceptical to say the least.
Very clean taste, when tried chilled but neat. No ugly face.
More importantly to me, I’ve been getting “alcohol” headaches for the past couple of years; a cluster-type migrane, sometimes while still drinking the very first glass of whatever - most often occuring with red wine, but more and more often with good beers, and most recently even with very good vodka drinks.
I just poured out the last drops of the Tito’s bottle, and - in addition to that very clean taste - guess what - no headaches ! Tito’s claims no “phenols, esters, congeners” due to multiple distilling and carbon filtering, which is consistent with recent articles on headaches and hangovers. More congeners = more bad side effects.
Tito has a new long term customer.