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

By Ben Alger

Are you ready to Rökk? The man known as ‘Rökker’ who founded Madison-based Maximum Ink Music Magazine ventures into the spirits arena with the recently-launched Rökker Premium Vodka. The website reads like a tour diary revealing the motivation for this loud but simple vodka. While spending time on tour in Iceland with Madison-based rock band Last Crack, Rökker discovered a local favorite called ‘Black Death Vodka,’ which inspired his own brand of hard ‘rökkin’ nectar.

In general, vodka is a clear and pure spirit born of few ingredients. Heavy filtration is used in some varieties to allow the addition of flavors. More traditional vodka is not filtered as extensively, allowing the retention of the pure taste of the original ingredients. Because of this, taste from brand to brand can vary immensely. Rökker is a simple and clean-smelling vodka the instant your nose enters the glass. Its smooth flavor reveals a slight grain taste reminiscent of more traditionally-produced Polish vodka. For those about to Rökk, “we salute you.”