Private Club Vodka is a relatively new entrant to the crowded vodka market. It’s made from American corn, distilled four times and bottled in Rochester, NY–and that New York theme runs through the packaging, with a gold Empire State Building emblazoned on the white bottle. It comes from Empire Spirits 1972, a company that–up until this vodka release–was focused on making pouches of ready-mixed cocktails.

Private Club Vodka pours crystal clear in the glass. On the nose, mild alcohol top notes give way to aromas of grains, minerals and sweet cream. Take a sip, and the medium-bodied spirit is sweet with vanilla and more cream, plus some mild fruit. It’s soft and warming and finishes dry, with more of those mineral notes lingering until the close. We’d have preferred the sweetness dialed down a notch, but at $20, the New York-made Private Club Vodka is a solid buy.

Stats:
— 40% ABV