It seems like not all that long ago that I was learning to drive in Albany, NY. I still remember not having a great grasp of where the right side of the car was. Well – at 16 – I really didn’t understand where most of the car was. Even so, I remember driving nervously up and down Albany-Shaker road regularly (living not far off it). On Saturdays, we’d go to Wendy’s, turning on to British-American Boulevard. Driving past the nondescript buildings that made up the business park was more entertaining than continuing down Albany-Shaker, evoking memories of when my mother once ran over a planter in a Cadillac teaching me to drive in the snow. While it’s been years, it seems like Oligan Distillery (who makes Oligan Vodka), might be changing my mind about where the entertainment on Albany Shaker Rd lies.
Oligan Distilling is new – like just barely a year old new. Despite this, it hasn’t stopped them from offering not only Oligan Vodka, but also a couple of different gins. After trying a few samples I purchased, one of the co-owner was nice enough to show me around the distillery. Even though Oligan is small, it’s one of the few distilleries to have semi-automated continuous feed. That said, the still is operating at nowhere near capacity, and at the time I visited – it was suggested it was barely at 35% capacity. Expansion is implied, if not planned.
Still, you have to start somewhere – and somewhere is with a corn based vodka. The corn is local – grown in Schaghticoke – which should help to give a slightly sweeter flavor. The owner suggested part of the plan was to get to 100% corn vodka, allowing Oligan to move toward gluten free – like another big vodka we’ve talked about. Still, the bottle I received isn’t quite there – but is it good?
Oligan Vodka
Sight: Clear – with some really long legs.
Smell: It’s clean with a slight vanilla odor, and a little bit of burn. Later, a waft of spiciness comes through and wraps with a subtle fruitiness. There’s a tiny kick of almost creaminess.
Sip: The body is light, and dances easily across the palate. It gets a little thin through the mid palate, but smooth. There’s the subtle fruitiness again and it’s complimented with a spicy nature.
Savor: The ending is palate coating, and somewhat spicy with a bit of minerality and grain. A touch of bitterness rounds things out.
Oligan Vodka is a very pleasant addition to the vodka scene. It has a very smooth and light body for what it is, but doesn’t compromise flavor. Price wise, you will pay a little bit more here, as there’s some economics of scale in play. That said though, if you’re looking for a new vodka to try in Albany, Oligan Vodka certainly fits that bill and has some surprises that make it worth the while.
In Cocktails
Oligan plays well with other ingredients – and that lightest little tingle of spice stands out. It gives it an edge that helps play against the warmth of ginger in a mule or the bite of lime. While it’s not the smoothest – it plays well, not overtly accentuating any bitter flavors. In a martini, it bends towards the minerality side a little, but gives this subtle kind of almost of creamy weight.
Oligan Vodka Overall
You always root for the home team right? You have to. Even when you move away. Oligan is putting out a nice product for a distillery starting out, and it’s got a nice streak of uniqueness thanks to the rye. I think Oligan is off to a promising start, their vodka is certainly interesting, and I can’t wait to see what they do next. Check them out if you’re in Latham, NY.
Other’s Share Their Thoughts on Oligan Vodka