It seems like every week there's a new vodka brand on the shelves. We also see many falling off and unfortunately, many of those brands are small, local distilleries. Let's recap some that we've sadly had to say goodbye to.
1. Grahams Sweet Tea ( This was the first flavored vodkas that I ever had); and
2. Starlite Vodka. Both of these were made by Treaty Oak Distilling in their earlier years. Now their primary focus is whiskey and they also made a pretty tasty gin. While you can no longer find the vodka on shelves, you can still partake of it out at the distillery ranch in Dripping Springs. It's definately worth the visit.
3. Smith's Vodka - My very first distillery visit in the area was to Bone Spirits in Smithville. I was shown the cozy tasting room that held the beautiful handmade bar and furniture made by the owner, along with some merchandise available for purchase. Sadly, they no longer make their own spirits which consisted of Smith's Vodka, Moody June Gin and Bone Bourbon; and now serves as a broker/bottling facility. However, you can on occassion find a bottle or two on the shelf.
4. Famous Vodka - My only experience with this brand was at Cool River's Vodka Fest (RIP to both). I believe it was out of San Antonio. The thing that stood out for me about this one was that it was in a guitar-shaped bottle. But not to worry, if youre looking for a bottle like that. Sixth Street Vodka & Rye in Giddings makes a cool one. I never really saw Famous on shelves and really wish I had a bottle.
5. Frankly Organic Vodka - (This one hurt!) Frankly Vodka made a variety of flavors in addition to their original. Apple Ginger, Grapefruit Cinnamon, Pomagranate Lemon, Strawberry Lemon and the Lemon Basil flavors made this brand extremely popular. Unfortunately, they ceased operations shortly after the release of the Lemon Basil. I worked for them doing tasting promos and never knew what was going on. We did receive notice that promos in Q4 were canceled and then I found out they were no longer in business when equipment went up for auction. Was extremely sad. BUT... rumor has it that they're coming back. No word on when, under what name or if it will be the same product. In the meantime, there are still bottles on the shelves, so if you're a fan, I suggest you grab them while you can.
6. Frog Pond Vodka - This little distillery was located just off 290 in Dripping Springs. The tasting room had a cool art deco vibe and produced both vodka and gin. We did a stop here on one of my Vodka Bus Tours and had a nice relaxing time on the spacious porch overlooking the hills. It's always disappointing to hear news of these small distilleries shutting down.
7. The Sh!t Vodka -Not to be confused with SH!T Vodka... but it is confusing. Even more so now because there is another Sh*t Vodka out of the Netherlands. The Sh!t Vodka never really took off as the name was in legal debate shortly after launching. Fortunately, i knew the owner of the original version and have a sample bottle that he gifted me back in 2017.
8. Uncle Billy's Vodka - An idea ahead of it's time, this brewstillery located on Barton Springs Road, produced it's own beer,bourbon and vodka. The vodka launched to big expectations with a media event. In 2019, they also released canned craft cocktails paying homage to Austinites with names like Ladybird Lemonade and Leslie's Cucumber Sipper (iykyk). Sadly, the brewstillery closed a few years later.
9. Dank Vodka {New Label} - Not gone, rather, the old label is. This brand is fairly newer and has been through a bottle redesign and now a new label. Grab old bottles and labels if you see them as they're sure to become collector items. Oh, it's also the first terpentine vodka.
10. Ultimat Vodka - Okay, so this brand isn't local and isn't gone. This honestly, is one of the most beautiful bottle designs I've seen. The sleek, ocean blue cylinder with clear flat glass top is exquisite and can be repurposed as a decanter. A few years ago, the lid was replaced by a screw top and bottle is wider (not a fan), so as far as I'm concerned, it is gone in a way. But this isn't from Texas - okay, true - but it's one time owner John Paul DeJoria lives in Austin and that's close enough. :)
Is there another Texas brand you know of that no longer exists? Tell me! Which brand do you miss the most?
1. Grahams Sweet Tea ( This was the first flavored vodkas that I ever had); and
2. Starlite Vodka. Both of these were made by Treaty Oak Distilling in their earlier years. Now their primary focus is whiskey and they also made a pretty tasty gin. While you can no longer find the vodka on shelves, you can still partake of it out at the distillery ranch in Dripping Springs. It's definately worth the visit.
3. Smith's Vodka - My very first distillery visit in the area was to Bone Spirits in Smithville. I was shown the cozy tasting room that held the beautiful handmade bar and furniture made by the owner, along with some merchandise available for purchase. Sadly, they no longer make their own spirits which consisted of Smith's Vodka, Moody June Gin and Bone Bourbon; and now serves as a broker/bottling facility. However, you can on occassion find a bottle or two on the shelf.
4. Famous Vodka - My only experience with this brand was at Cool River's Vodka Fest (RIP to both). I believe it was out of San Antonio. The thing that stood out for me about this one was that it was in a guitar-shaped bottle. But not to worry, if youre looking for a bottle like that. Sixth Street Vodka & Rye in Giddings makes a cool one. I never really saw Famous on shelves and really wish I had a bottle.
5. Frankly Organic Vodka - (This one hurt!) Frankly Vodka made a variety of flavors in addition to their original. Apple Ginger, Grapefruit Cinnamon, Pomagranate Lemon, Strawberry Lemon and the Lemon Basil flavors made this brand extremely popular. Unfortunately, they ceased operations shortly after the release of the Lemon Basil. I worked for them doing tasting promos and never knew what was going on. We did receive notice that promos in Q4 were canceled and then I found out they were no longer in business when equipment went up for auction. Was extremely sad. BUT... rumor has it that they're coming back. No word on when, under what name or if it will be the same product. In the meantime, there are still bottles on the shelves, so if you're a fan, I suggest you grab them while you can.
6. Frog Pond Vodka - This little distillery was located just off 290 in Dripping Springs. The tasting room had a cool art deco vibe and produced both vodka and gin. We did a stop here on one of my Vodka Bus Tours and had a nice relaxing time on the spacious porch overlooking the hills. It's always disappointing to hear news of these small distilleries shutting down.
7. The Sh!t Vodka -Not to be confused with SH!T Vodka... but it is confusing. Even more so now because there is another Sh*t Vodka out of the Netherlands. The Sh!t Vodka never really took off as the name was in legal debate shortly after launching. Fortunately, i knew the owner of the original version and have a sample bottle that he gifted me back in 2017.
8. Uncle Billy's Vodka - An idea ahead of it's time, this brewstillery located on Barton Springs Road, produced it's own beer,bourbon and vodka. The vodka launched to big expectations with a media event. In 2019, they also released canned craft cocktails paying homage to Austinites with names like Ladybird Lemonade and Leslie's Cucumber Sipper (iykyk). Sadly, the brewstillery closed a few years later.
9. Dank Vodka {New Label} - Not gone, rather, the old label is. This brand is fairly newer and has been through a bottle redesign and now a new label. Grab old bottles and labels if you see them as they're sure to become collector items. Oh, it's also the first terpentine vodka.
10. Ultimat Vodka - Okay, so this brand isn't local and isn't gone. This honestly, is one of the most beautiful bottle designs I've seen. The sleek, ocean blue cylinder with clear flat glass top is exquisite and can be repurposed as a decanter. A few years ago, the lid was replaced by a screw top and bottle is wider (not a fan), so as far as I'm concerned, it is gone in a way. But this isn't from Texas - okay, true - but it's one time owner John Paul DeJoria lives in Austin and that's close enough. :)
Is there another Texas brand you know of that no longer exists? Tell me! Which brand do you miss the most?
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