Originally published in the Product Spotlight section of Volume 5, Issue 3 of Alcoholmanac Magazine

By Daniel Downes

What’s the next step for a family that already owns cookie, pineapple and sausage companies? Why, get in the vodka business, of course! That’s exactly what Shay Smith, president of Hawaii Sea Spirits LLC, did in 2005 when he started producing Ocean Vodka. Hand-crafted in Maui using sugarcane, Ocean Vodka is USDA-certified organic, gluten-free and blended with deep ocean mineral water. The name derives from the family’s “deep love” of the ocean and a portion of the profits from sales of the vodka are donated to ocean conservation efforts.

Having never had sugarcane vodka before, I was surprised that more companies aren’t using it. Leaving a light, crisp taste, there is a pleasant level of sweetness. This is by far one of the smoothest, cleanest vodkas I’ve ever tasted. Perfect as a mixer or cocktail ingredient, but be forewarned—the martinis made using Ocean Vodka go down far easier than should be safe.