Luxco, a distillery based in St. Louis, Missouri, is the proud producer of Hawkeye vodka. As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have had the pleasure of tasting and analyzing a wide range of distilled beverages, including Hawkeye vodka. Luxco, known for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship, has successfully created a brand that specifically caters to the residents of Iowa, the state famously known as “the Hawkeye State.”
Hawkeye vodka is just one of the many products in the Hawkeye lineup. Luxco offers an array of distilled beverages under the Hawkeye name, including blended whiskey, rum, gin, flavored vodka, and of course, their most popular product, vodka. However, in this answer, I will focus solely on the production of Hawkeye vodka, as it is the flagship product of the brand.
Luxco takes great pride in the production process of Hawkeye vodka, ensuring that every bottle meets the highest standards of quality. The journey begins with the careful selection of ingredients. Luxco sources the finest grains to create the base for their vodka. The grains undergo a meticulous milling process to extract the sugars needed for fermentation.
Once the grains have been milled, they are mixed with water to create a mash. This mash is then heated and enzymes are added to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. The mixture is cooled and yeast is introduced, kickstarting the fermentation process. The resulting liquid, known as the wash, is left to ferment for a specific period, allowing the yeast to consume the sugars and produce alcohol.
After fermentation, the wash undergoes distillation. Luxco utilizes a state-of-the-art distillation apparatus to ensure the highest level of purity and smoothness in their vodka. The wash is distilled multiple times, using both column stills and pot stills, to remove impurities and create a clean, crisp spirit.
Once the distillation process is complete, the vodka is carefully filtered to further refine its character. Luxco employs various filtration methods, including charcoal filtration, to ensure the vodka is smooth and free from any unwanted flavors or aromas.
The Hawkeye vodka is bottled and ready to be enjoyed by consumers. Luxco takes great care in packaging their products, ensuring that the bottles not only contain a high-quality spirit but also reflect the brand's commitment to excellence.
In my personal experience, I have found Hawkeye vodka to be a versatile and enjoyable spirit. Its smoothness and clean flavor profile make it suitable for sipping on its own or mixing into cocktails. The attention to detail and craftsmanship that Luxco puts into the production of Hawkeye vodka is evident in every sip.
Luxco, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is the distillery responsible for the creation of Hawkeye vodka. With their dedication to quality and meticulous production process, they have successfully crafted a vodka that captures the spirit of Iowa and satisfies the palates of discerning consumers.