Vodka Review: 42 BELOW by Robert
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 5 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
3.8000 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $18.34 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
- Percent Alcohol
- 42
- Distilled From
- Grain
- Produced By
- 42 BELOW Ltd
- Imported By
- 42 BELOW Importing Company
- Website
- 42 BELOW
- Cap Type
- Plastic Screw On
Identifying Features
White writing on a clear bottle with the neck wrapped in white plastic. The design of the labels is quite beautiful
Written on the Bottle
Clouds build as they travel across the Southern Ocean and gather around the land mass of New Zealand. The Maori call this Aotearoa, or "Land of the Long White Cloud."
Central Aotearoa is 42 degrees below the equator, which is where 42 BELOW was conceived. And coincidentally, we are located near one of the most sought after Aa rated deep water springs, used in crafting our vodka - some of the world's smoothest. This is why international judges have applauded 42 BELOW for its "controlled finish that releases flavor rather than heat."
Review
42 Below is a vodka made by some fun-loving (if their site is to be believed) Kiwi's down at -48 latitude in New Zealand.
The Shot
The shot is clean in the mouth. There are no noticeable flavors. The shot goes down smooth with a mild burn left on the tongue that slowly reveals itself over a period of several seconds. I haven't even contemplated a chaser. This is a great straight vodka.
The Mixed Drink
The clear taste of the shot is echoed in the White Grape Pomegranate mixed drink. At a moderate mix, the cocktail is easily drinkable, and even chugable if you're in a hurry. Even at a higher 50/50 mix, the drink is acceptable, though the contrasting ingredients come off a little bitter. Like straight, 42 Below is a great mixing vodka.
Opinions
Erin also had the White Grape Pom with 42 Below. She said she could still taste the vodka but it doesn't have a strong ethanol flavor or burn. She gave 42 Below two thumbs up. Daniel said it burned in his mouth, but was smooth on the way down (which was the opposite of what he expected). He seemed to enjoy the shot, though.
42 Below is another great vodka. With great graphic design on the bottle and great taste, you'd be remiss not to have this vodka in your collection. Grab a bottle if you can find it.
If you see the following form, please ignore it.
Comments On 42 BELOW
Rich said on Jul 24, 2009 at 11:15 pm...
Hmm, I think I saw this at the local liquor store when I was picking up a bottle of 360 I'd convinced them to get in stock. I'll have to go check it out.
Reply to This
john3254zx said on Oct 28, 2009 at 2:29 pm...
Good stuff for the buck
Reply to This
Ben said on Mar 27, 2010 at 5:08 am...
This is just great. There is no other words to discibe it. it is easy to finish a bottle by taking shots. Just addictive. Next morning no hang over (my liver was bit tired but........) True perfection or art of Vodka
Reply to This
bigcor23 said on Oct 07, 2010 at 8:58 pm...
42 Below is OK. It has an initial sweetness in the shot that turns bitter then quickly fades with a mild burn. no need for a chaser. It mixed well with cranberry and orange juice and was very pleasant when mixed in an appletini. This vodka is OK but pales in comparissson to Tito's. Good band for the buck.
Reply to This
BergTender said on Dec 04, 2010 at 12:52 am...
My boss got some cases of 42 Below at a discount from his distributor. Because of how inexpensive it was to us, our bar used it as our house/well vodka for a few weeks. During that time, I received a lot of compliments on the taste of this vodka. I think it had a very clean taste, and a smoothness unparalleled by anything else we had on our shelf (except maybe Chopin, but that's hardly a fair comparison due to the price difference). I sold out quickly and should pick some up for myself soon.
Reply to This
Robert said on Dec 06, 2010 at 7:38 am...
@BergTender, I'd love it if I could find a bar that had 42 Below as their well. I feel lucky if Skyy is the well. 42 Below would be almost like winning the lottery.
Reply to This
AZWolverine said on Dec 21, 2010 at 9:29 pm...
Good but not great, and a decent value. Sweet initially with a slight bitter character sneaking in later.
Reply to This
taffyg2003 said on Jun 12, 2011 at 3:41 pm...
I have been interested in taste testing this one ever since I read the review on this site, but haven't been able to find it anywhere. Recently, I saw 42 Below on the shelf of one of the local liquor shops, but it was available only in a few of the flavored versions. I was a bit disappointed, but figured that eventually the store would carry the straight version. Well, just a handful of days ago, I finally saw the regular 42 Below on the shelf. Unfortunately, it was pretty expensive (I think it was almost $30 per fifth) so I decided to forgo the opportunity for now. I still have half finished bottles of Luksusowa and Jean Marc XO, and am expecting a gift bottle of Crystal Head to perform a head-to-head comparison with Jean Marc XO, so I think it will be a while before I purchase a bottle of 42 Below or any other vodka.
Reply to This
Jody said on Sep 04, 2011 at 5:43 pm...
42 below Vodka is a fine top 10 vokda in my book. Very smooth with no ethanol after taste
I personally like Reyka the best- with 42 below, Ketel one, Grey Goose, and Stolichnaya behind it.
Reply to This
taffyg2003 said on Nov 01, 2011 at 11:27 pm...
@Jody, yours is not the first strong recommendation of Reyka. I have seen it on some local liquor store shelves, but have not had he opportunity to try a bottle...yet.
Reply to This
Poppa said on Dec 03, 2011 at 10:49 am...
I love 42 blow nice smooth
Reply to This
Dave said on Dec 08, 2011 at 1:15 pm...
Awesome review. Was just wondering when you say you are drinking a shot how is the vodka in the shot prepared? Is the shot room temperature vodka or chilled like strained over ice or is the vodka stored in freezer and then poured a shot? Thanks.
Reply to This
Robert said on Dec 08, 2011 at 1:27 pm...
@Dave They are chilled in the freezer for several hours, then poured into shot glasses and sipped. "Shot" is less accurate than "sipped straight" in terms of how I drink it, but "shot" is an easier to identify term.
Reply to This
Eve Woods said on Jan 24, 2012 at 3:41 am...
We tried 42 Below for the first time tonight. I was expecting a burning feeling in my mouth and down my throat. That did not happen. I was rather surprised with how smooth it was. There is a minty/melon flavor that I can't quite identify. It is amazing vodka. I do not suggest mixing it with cranberry juice which is what I usually do with vodka. This one is special. I suggest citrus mixes like lemon/lime, sprite, or orange flavors. It is really good all by itself too. Cheers to my new favorite!!
Reply to This