Chicago Vodka 750ML

Chicago Vodka 750ML is a wheat-based vodka distilled five times and filtered nine times, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Awarded a Silver Medal and 89-point score from Best Tasting Spirits, this expression distinguishes itself through a patent-pending filtration process so slow it takes five full days to filter a single batch of just 600 bottles.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Wheat Vodka  |  Distillery: Chicago Distilling

Production & Heritage

Chicago Distilling operates out of the Goose Island neighborhood in downtown Chicago. The distillery uses a wheat-based recipe, running the spirit through five distillations before subjecting it to nine separate filtrations using a patent-pending system that restricts flow to just 30 liters per hour. That painstaking pace — five days for 600 bottles — is the core of what separates Chicago Vodka from mass-produced competitors. The result is a spirit that retains subtle grain character rather than stripping it to pure neutrality, giving drinkers something to actually taste.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lemon pound cake leads the nose, backed by a clean ethanol lift that signals the wheat base without harshness. The aromatics are restrained but inviting, suggesting sweetness before the first sip.

Taste: The entry is sweet citrus layered over soft, creamy wheat with a noticeably thick, oily mouthfeel. Flavor builds steadily toward a lemon cookie peak at mid-palate, then transitions into a warm peppery sting joined by mineral texture. The wheat grain provides structure throughout, preventing the spirit from thinning out.

Finish: Bittersweet with distinct lemon peel and a faint charcoal quality from the extensive filtration. A whole-milk richness lingers unexpectedly, adding body and length to the close.

How to Drink Chicago Vodka

Neat or slightly chilled showcases the oily texture and lemon-wheat interplay best; a single ice cube opens the creamy mid-palate without diluting the finish. For cocktails, three strong options stand out:

• Lemon Drop Martini — The natural lemon pound cake character reinforces the cocktail's citrus core without needing extra sweetener.
• Moscow Mule — The peppery mid-palate spice dovetails with ginger beer, while the creamy wheat body keeps the drink balanced.
• Vodka Martini — The thick mouthfeel and mineral finish hold up against dry vermouth better than thinner, more neutral vodkas.

Best For

• Vodka drinkers seeking grain character rather than total neutrality
• Gifting to someone with a connection to Chicago or Illinois craft spirits
• Hosting a cocktail night where the base spirit needs to carry flavor
• Introducing craft-distilled American vodka to friends used to mainstream brands

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chicago Vodka taste like? Chicago Vodka delivers sweet citrus and creamy wheat up front, building to a lemon cookie peak before finishing bittersweet with lemon peel, charcoal, and a distinctive whole-milk richness.

How does Chicago Vodka compare to Tito's? Both are American-made, craft-positioned vodkas at 40% ABV, but Chicago Vodka uses wheat rather than corn, which yields a creamier texture and more citrus-forward flavor. The patent-pending nine-stage filtration also produces a noticeably thicker mouthfeel compared to Tito's cleaner, more neutral profile.

Is Chicago Vodka good for sipping neat? Yes — the five-times-distilled, nine-times-filtered process creates enough texture and flavor complexity to reward neat sipping, especially when served slightly chilled to highlight the oily body.

Where is Chicago Vodka made? Chicago Vodka is produced by Chicago Distilling, located in the Goose Island neighborhood of downtown Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Chicago Vodka? Smoked salmon or lox, where the creamy wheat character complements the brine; lemon-dressed oysters, which echo the citrus notes; mild soft cheeses like burrata; light pasta dishes with olive oil and herbs; or dark chocolate, which plays off the bittersweet charcoal finish.

What sizes does Chicago Vodka come in? Chicago Vodka is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Chicago Vodka worth the price? Chicago Vodka positions as a premium craft vodka. The labor-intensive filtration process — five days per batch of 600 bottles — justifies its placement above mass-market brands, and the 89-point Silver Medal from Best Tasting Spirits confirms it delivers at that tier.

Why Chicago Vodka?

The defining feature here is patience. A patent-pending filtration system that moves just 30 liters per hour, requiring five full days to complete a single 600-bottle batch, is a production commitment almost unheard of in the vodka category. That process preserves the wheat grain's natural creaminess and citrus character rather than erasing it. The Silver Medal and 89-point score from Best Tasting Spirits validate the approach as more than a gimmick. For drinkers who want a vodka that actually tastes like something — lemon, cream, pepper, mineral — without crossing into flavored territory, this is a genuinely distinctive American craft expression.