Open Road American Vodka Review

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The other day we dropped into a distillery without any real plan — one of those “we’re in the area anyway, let’s just see what’s inside” kinds of stops. No expectations. No checklist. Just curiosity.

And honestly?
We weren’t expecting much.

Sometimes these spontaneous gambles pay off.
Other times… well… the experience is the real reward.

But this time?

This time we were shocked.

Not only was this distillery operating mere miles from our house, but somehow we’d never heard of it. We even asked others in the area and half of them shrugged like “never been, never heard of it.”

Let us tell you something right now:

Go check it out.

Open Road Distilling Co. is one of those rare places you stumble into and immediately realize you’ve discovered a hidden gem. A full distillery. A lively restaurant. Family-friendly vibes. Good food. Good cocktails. Bottles you can take home.

It’s the kind of place you bring friends to and feel confident you’re about to impress them with a “local find.”

But today’s spotlight isn’t the restaurant.
It’s the bottle we walked out with — the one that surprised us the most:

Open Road American Vodka.

Now let’s be honest upfront:
We’re not the biggest vodka drinkers on the Tasting Team. Some of us lean bourbon. Some gin. A few love agave.

But others on the team are vodka people — the “I want it clean, pure, smooth, and not harsh” crew.

And this bottle?
Yeah. It impressed everyone across the board.

Vodka reviews often fall into two categories:

1. “It tastes like nothing.”
2. “It tastes like regret.”

Open Road sits comfortably in the rare third category:
Clean, smooth, lightly flavorful, and genuinely enjoyable.

Appearance

Crystal clear. Pure. Almost glossy in the glass.
Exactly what a premium American vodka should look like.

Aroma

Soft, clean, and elegant with:

• A touch of white pepper
• Light minerality
• A quiet, natural sweetness
• And just enough ethanol to remind you it’s 80 proof — but nothing sharp
• 
  

Palate

Smooth — shockingly smooth for the price point.

You’ll find:

• Soft, round mouthfeel
• Natural sweetness
• A little white pepper
• Gentle baking spice
• A suggestion of lemongrass

It’s subtle, intentional, and well-crafted.
Not loud. Not flashy.
Just good vodka.

Mouthfeel

Silky. Full. Polished.
It rolls across the tongue instead of stabbing it — a major win in the vodka world.

Finish

Medium length.
Clean.
Soft.
A final whisper of white pepper.

It disappears exactly the way a well-distilled vodka should:
Smooth exit, zero burn.

Overall Complexity

The most interesting part is how much character this vodka has without ever becoming intrusive.

That comes from real craftsmanship:

• Corn-based neutral spirit
• Distilled on traditional pot stills
• Heads and tails removed
• Only the “hearts” kept
• Light filtration (not the over-filtered “stripped” flavor of commercial vodkas)
   

It’s what small-batch spirits are supposed to be:
Simple idea.
Serious effort.
Clean execution.

“I wasn’t expecting to like this vodka… but here we are. Smooth, soft, and actually enjoyable neat.” — The Bar Book Tasting Team

✔ Versatile Cocktails

This vodka disappears seamlessly into:

• Mules
• Espresso Martinis
• Transfusions
• Lychee Martinis
• Highballs
• Vodka sodas with citrus

Because of its softness, it lets other cocktail ingredients shine.

✔ For Non-Vodka Drinkers

If you’re someone who thinks you don’t like vodka, this is a great bottle to test that theory.

✔ For Vodka Enthusiasts

Clean. Smooth. Approachable. You’ll appreciate the clarity of craftsmanship.

✔ For Hosting

Perfect “don’t overthink it” bottle that guests will enjoy no matter what cocktail they request.

✔ For Locals

If you’re anywhere near Open Road Distilling Co. —
you owe it to yourself to stop by.
Grab lunch. Have a cocktail. Pick up a bottle for home.

This is one of those rare distillery finds that feels like you’ve discovered something before the rest of the neighborhood catches on.

You can check how this vodka lines up with your personal palate using The Bar Book’s Flavor Matching Technology.

Explore it here:
👉 Open Road American Vodka on The Bar Book

The app will tell you if it’s a match, a wildcard, or a fun surprise — before you buy the bottle.

The Bar Book Tasting Room
Where Flavor Meets Story.
Tasted and Reviewed by The Bar Book Team.
https://thebarbook.app

If you would like us to spotlight your brand for FREE, send us an email — we’ll gladly add your bottle to our lineup of stories, tastings, and flavor deep dives.