Review: Fuzzy’s Vodka
One of the biggest names in the golf world is expanding his vast empire into spirits.
That’s right, we’re talking about Frank Urban “Fuzzy” Zoeller.
Admittedly, today’s club kids may not be familiar with Zoeller, a golfer whose heyday was from the late-1970s to mid-1980s. If they do know the name, it may have something to do one of the endless controversies that have surrounded him in later years. Why, it’s enough to make a man turn to… an ultra premium vodka, that’s what!
This vodka, made by Bend Spirits in Oregon, appears to be made from a mishmash of grains, and then Zoeller’s zest kicks in: It’s filtered 10 times through charcoal and “crushed volcanic rock” before being blended with Cascade Mountain water and bottled at 80 proof. Then it gets really weird: A portion of each batch is aged for two months in oak barrels, then blended back into the mix.
The results: Tastes like vodka. For starters, I don’t get any oak character here, though it’s possible that aging has toned down some of this vodka’s harshness. It’s medicinal, but not overpoweringly so, though it is disappointingly lacking in much real secondary character aside from a little butteriness on the finish — again, something that might be chalked up to that time in oak. What 10 filtering sessions can really do here, though, is a bit of a mystery.
Interesting process, to say the least, but I have to say, the end result is rather tame.
80 proof.
B / $30 / fuzzyvodka.net [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Fuzzy's Vodka
$30
It’s probably better for the planet if I purchase this vodka instead of a bottle of Stoli or Russian Standard, and yet I’m never excited to see a new ‘Made in the U.S.A.” vodka. Of course, there’s the pretty great Tito’s that I doubt could be topped by any country. Anyhoo, I’d rather my money go overseas than to a country club in this country. Want a true American original (and something with flavor)? Try Bourbon.
TETON GLACIER IS BETTER
Why can’t you actually find fuzzy in bend Oregon??