Permafrost Alaska Vodka 750ML

Permafrost Alaska Vodka 750ML is a 40% ABV potato vodka distilled five times and blended with Alaskan glacial water, earning 96 points from the Beverage Testing Institute. This expression also claimed a Platinum Medal from the International Review of Spirits and was recognized in 2009 as the World's Best Potato Vodka.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Foothills of the Alaska Range, Alaska, USA  |  Style: Potato Vodka  |  Distillery: Alaska Distillery

Production & Heritage

Alaska Distillery produces Permafrost from locally grown Matanuska potatoes, a starchy, cold-climate variety cultivated in Alaska's Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The spirit is distilled five times and charcoal filtered to achieve exceptional clarity and smoothness. What truly distinguishes this vodka is its water source: a blend of roughly one part glacial water — including icebergs collected from Prince William Sound — to two parts local spring water. These glacial sources have been accumulating for thousands of years, untouched by modern pollutants, contributing a remarkable mineral purity that sets the final product apart from virtually every other vodka on the market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Clean and restrained, opening with mild custard followed by delicate creamy meringue. There is very little burn on the nose, reflecting the thorough distillation and filtration process.

Taste: A soft, supple entry gives way to a dryish, glycerous medium body. The texture is notably smooth, with subtle sweetness reminiscent of powdered sugar developing across the mid-palate. Faint meringue notes thread through from nose to palate, lending a gentle pastry-like quality without overt sweetness.

Finish: Graceful and elegant, with lingering impressions of wet river stones and a whisper of powdered sugar. The finish is clean and measured, tapering off without harshness or bitterness.

How to Drink Permafrost

The 96-point rating from the Beverage Testing Institute reflects a spirit designed to be enjoyed neat or over a single large ice cube, where its custard and mineral character can develop fully. For those who prefer mixed drinks, Permafrost's clean potato-based profile works exceptionally well in these cocktails:

• Vodka Martini: The meringue-like softness and mineral finish add sophistication without competing with dry vermouth.
• Moscow Mule: Its smooth, glycerous body holds up against ginger beer's spice, keeping the drink balanced and creamy.
• Espresso Martini: The subtle custard and powdered sugar notes complement coffee liqueur and fresh espresso beautifully.

Best For

• Gifting a spirits enthusiast who values unique terroir-driven production
• Side-by-side tastings comparing potato vodka against grain-based expressions
• Celebrating milestones with a platinum-awarded American craft spirit
• Building a premium home bar anchored by an award-winning domestic vodka

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Permafrost taste like? Permafrost Alaska Vodka delivers soft custard and creamy meringue notes with a dryish, glycerous medium body, finishing with powdered sugar and wet river stone minerality. It is exceptionally smooth with no harsh burn.

How does Permafrost compare to Chopin Potato Vodka? Both are premium potato vodkas recognized for their clean profiles, but Permafrost differentiates itself through the use of Alaskan glacial water and icebergs from Prince William Sound, contributing a distinct mineral purity. Chopin, distilled in Poland from Stobrawa potatoes, tends to present a slightly earthier, more robust potato character.

Is Permafrost good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 96-point BTI rating and five-time distillation make it one of the smoothest potato vodkas available, well-suited to neat sipping at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Where is Permafrost made? Permafrost Alaska Vodka is produced by Alaska Distillery in the foothills of the Alaska Range, using Matanuska potatoes and water sourced from Alaskan glaciers and Prince William Sound icebergs.

What foods pair well with Permafrost? Smoked Alaskan salmon highlights the vodka's mineral notes. Blini with crème fraîche and caviar complement its custard-like softness. Mild, creamy cheeses such as burrata echo its glycerous texture. Lightly cured gravlax works well against the clean finish. Dark chocolate truffles bring out the powdered sugar sweetness on the palate.

What sizes does Permafrost come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Permafrost worth the price? Permafrost positions as a premium craft vodka, and its combination of a 96-point BTI score, Platinum Medal from the International Review of Spirits, and singular production involving glacial water makes it a strong value within the upper tier of American potato vodkas.

Why Permafrost?

Very few vodkas can claim a water source as singular as icebergs harvested from Prince William Sound and glacial runoff that has been collecting for millennia. That alone sets Permafrost apart from the crowded premium vodka field. Backed by a 96-point score from the Beverage Testing Institute and a Platinum Medal for World's Best Potato Vodka, the accolades confirm what the liquid delivers — a texturally rich, mineral-driven spirit with genuine sense of place. For anyone seeking a potato vodka rooted in provenance rather than marketing, Permafrost makes a compelling case.