42 BELOW

5 StarStarStarStarStar

42 BELOW is a 42% ABV vodka from New Zealand. The vodka is produced by 42 BELOW Ltd and imported by 42 BELOW Importing Company. The quality is considered to be amazing. The average price is around $31.65 per 750mL. Rated 5 out of 5 based on 15 reviews.

The bottle states the following:

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.”

42 BELOW Vodka Review

5 StarStarStarStarStar

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.

Rated 5 out of 5.

Robert Brodrecht

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Knv

    5 *****

    A great vodka at a much better price, where I live, than the more premium brands. I find myself buying vodka for the sake of mixing into cocktails very often off late. Being a young lad with no income, Grey Goose is hard to afford on a bi-weekly basis, each bottle(700cl) running in excess of $120, and so I was on the lookout for a vodka that’s more affordable while also being a star product. Considering that all you get around my city is Stolychinya, Absolut, Grey goose, belvédère, ciroc, finlandia and ketel one apart from the locally produced brands, which still run from $15 for the undrinkable stuff to $25 for Smirnoff, the recent stock of 42 Below seemed like a blessing. I picked one(700cl) up for around $45 and promptly made my way over to a friend’s place. I usually chill the vodka in the freezer for atleast an hour so I might’ve not felt some qualities that are pronounced closer to room temperature. It was an excellent mixing vodka and was a hit all around. I’m not very fond of shots and so I can’t help you there but as a mixing vodka it was great. It had a faint taste through the drink and made it very easy to chug a glass in a breeze. If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable vodka which stays in the background of your cocktail, don’t look anywhere else. I strongly recommend 42 Below to anyone on a budget.

    Knv

    Reply

    • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Knv

      * meant 70 cl

      Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Robinator

    5 *****

    Got myself a 1L bottle at the local liquor store for 13 bucks and I love it so much haha super smooth

    Robinator

    Reply

    • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

      Wow! $13 per liter is great! I finally saw a bottle of 42 Below at the local liquor store about a week ago, but it was something like $15 per 0.5L (no fifth or 1L bottles), so I passed in favor of trying a bottle of Tito’s for only the second time since discovering this amazingly informative forum. If I recall correctly, Tito’s was the first bottle that I trialed at home when I began my vodka discovery quest back in early 2010.

      Reply

      • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

        I still haven’t found a bottle to try, except for the couple of overpriced small 0.5L bottles. Hopefully the liquor store that has 42 Below in flavors, will stock the regular vodka soon, too.

        Reply

        • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

          I haven’t found anything but the flavored 42 Below versions lately. It is a bit of a tease, but I am sure that a bottle of the straight stuff will show up at one of the local liquor stores soon.

          Reply

          • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

            Still looking…

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By LK

    No Rating

    I enjoy this vodka very much, but am I the only person to have difficulty getting the @#%$- bottle opened?

    LK

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Vance

    5 *****

    I’ve tastes a lot of vodkas in my time, and I must say this is one of the best. Don’t pay for the name of a Vodka (Ciroc, Grey Goose, Belvedere etc..) pay for the quality. The 42 Below Vodka is just that.

    Vance

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By jasondcmunk

    3 *****

    This my first review and so glad I found Vodkabuzz I love Vodka and love to drink Vodka straight, 42 Below is not one I recommend to drink on ice it kinda bites back on the way down a little to spicy but a light splash of cranberry can take away the bite. worth a try especially for $20 but be prepared to mix it or like I did splash it.

    jasondcmunk

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Eve Woods

    No Rating

    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!!

    Eve Woods

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By AZWolverine

    3 *****

    Good but not great, and a decent value. Sweet initially with a slight bitter character sneaking in later.

    AZWolverine

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By BergTender

    No Rating

    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.

    BergTender

    Reply

    • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Robert

      @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

      • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By TY CORBIN

        Hi robert

        If u drink this neat after something bitter, say, beer or whisky, the perfume sweetness will surprisingly reveal itself than that of other wheat based vodkas.

        Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By bigcor23

    3 *****

    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.

    bigcor23

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Ben

    No Rating

    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

    Ben

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Reimy

    5 *****

    Am normally a scotch and rum drinker but after trying 42 Below a few times am finding it more and more my ‘go to’ beverage. Smooth, clean, clear, 40 % proof here in Australia compared to others 37-38%. To me this is just as good as much more expensive brands. Another bonus and testament to the quality and purity of this beverage is the fact I wake up next day clear headed!

    Reimy

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By M Brown

    5 *****

    I picked up a 1.75 bottle at my local store without reading your reviews. Price was $20.50
    Tried neat room temp.
    Smooth and clean
    Good purchase.
    Recommend

    M Brown

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Blk belt vodka drinker

    5 *****

    42 is my new vodka of choice I was on the titos kick for a while but now I’m very happy with 42.when I’m out I drink goose on the rocks with a splash of seltzer at home the same but with 42.you can’t beat the price

    Blk belt vodka drinker

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Karina G.

    5 *****

    I really wasn’t sure about it when I first spotted it in the my local liquor store but I am so glad I gave it a shot. It is very smooth and pairs well with pineapple juice. A big bottle went for $14.99. I think I’m going to stick with this brand moving forward.

    Karina G.

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Johnniekebab

    5 *****

    Beautiful clean and tasty! no burn or aftertaste. I picked up three bottles from my local supermarket (tesco) was originally up for sale at £24.99 was reduced down to £16.49 and went through till @ £11 was going to buy one bottle grabbed all they had left !!!

    Johnniekebab

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

    5 *****

    I finally enjoyed a 42 Below martini at a famous NYC restaurant last night. The vodka is exquisitely smooth and mild tasting. It reminded me of a combination of Crystal Head and Chopin Potato vodkas. It was well worth the wait to locate this wonderful vodka.

    taffyg2003

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Novice

    5 *****

    I forgot how smooth this stuff is. Cheers…

    Novice

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Dave

    No Rating

    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.

    Dave

    Reply

    • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Robert

      @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

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Poppa

    No Rating

    I love 42 blow nice smooth

    Poppa

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Jody

    No Rating

    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.

    Jody

    Reply

    • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

      @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

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By john3254zx

    No Rating

    Good stuff for the buck

    john3254zx

    Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

    No Rating

    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.

    taffyg2003

    Reply

    • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

      I probably should have spent the $30 on the bottle of straight 42 Below. I haven’t been able to find anything but a few flavored versions since. :-(

      Reply

      • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By taffyg2003

        Still looking for this one…

        Reply

  • 42 BELOW Vodka Review By Rich

    5 *****

    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.

    Rich

    Reply

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