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Balls.

Balls.

Proof: 80
Color: clear
Nose: astringent & sweet
Taste: neutral
Finish: sweet, vanilla & warm
Value: plenty of bang for your buck

Words I hoped I’d never have to say:

I just tasted Balls.

Oh Gawd… did I just type that?

Still, someone is a marketing genius.  Anyway… As you all know, I think that Vodka should be as neutral as possible (like Green Mark & Tito’s) unless it’s making a statement (like Jewel of Russia).  And somehow, Balls manages both.

This American made, Non-GMO corn-based vodka manages to be (mostly) neutral, yet still have its own flavor profile. I know you’re dying to hear my “Let’s Not Mince Words” quote for Balls… so here:

Mildly sweet & smooth, I like the taste & mouth feel of Balls.

As with a few other American Vodkas I could mention, Balls shies away from standard grain choices and heads for Whiskey territory with corn.  But not just any corn: Non-GMO corn.  That’s a big deal these days as the majority of corn grown in the U.S. of A. is genetically modified.  And it’s that corn base that makes me think:
…If they aged Balls for a good 10 years in American Oak, it’d be the best damn Whiskey outside of Kentucky.

I’m gonna ramble on about the corn for just a bit longer.  It’s the corn that gives Balls it’s sweet tones, vanilla notes, and smooth finish.  I could mention another American Corn Vodka here, but that one has managed to distill & filter away all the corn character to achieve something very neutral.  I like the fact that Balls has some taste.

As you’ll note by the picture, I got my hands on some big Balls.  Hey, I meant a 1.75 liter bottle.  Sheesh.  But apparently, size doesn’t matter.  Big or small, Balls satisfies.

I like the fact that Balls has some taste.

Now, the vanilla I mentioned really only appears on the finish. The taste is mostly neutral with clean sweet notes.  I know, it seems strange saying that Balls is clean and sweet with a vanilla finish, but jokes aside: it is.

Thanks to those very specific characteristics, Balls lends itself well to being sipped straight. Personally, I like my Balls a touch chilled.  The chill tames some of the astringency present on the nose, but doesn’t dull the taste.  I know it’s odd thinking that the smell of Balls doesn’t match its flavor, but it’s true.

As I did with another Vodka review recently, I’m going to point out some Vodka-based cocktails that Balls would rock:

The hint of vanilla on the finish lends itself well to all of the above cocktails.

This is one purpose-filled vodka that will be hanging around my home bar for a long while.  Got some Balls near you?  Grab some.  You won’t regret it.

Final Rating: 92 out of 100