Ao Vodka

Suntory’s superweapon in Vodka War.

Vodka isn’t known for complexity and long finishes like the amber Spirits, but things are changing. While most of Vodkas are meant to get you blotto ASAP, this particular bottle aims to please. And Suntory knows a thing about that. Ao means blue in Japanese, but it’s also used to describe the shades of green in nature. Since this Vodka is rice-based, it’s quite possible we’re talking about the ao colors of rice paddies. Idyllic and pastoral.

Suntory uses Japanese rice only and they source their water from the island of Kyushu. The rice mash is distilled in small pot stills while bamboo takes care of clarification. This rice juice is sumptuous, clean and crisp. It may remind you of Sake, too. It’s best consumed neat, but if you’d like a cocktail with it, it works like a charm in a dry martini. It’s a sort of Vodka that loves being explored.