Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka 750ML

Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka 750ML is a 40% ABV craft vodka distilled entirely from Pennsylvania potatoes in a 750ml bottle. Rated 5 stars by F. Paul Pacult and scoring 96/100 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, this expression has been ranked the top vodka in the world by the Spirit Journal three consecutive years (2011–2013).

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, USA  |  Style: Potato Vodka  |  Distillery: Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries

Production & Heritage

Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, led by Master Distiller Barry Young, produces Boyd & Blair in Shaler Township, Pennsylvania, using 100% locally sourced Pennsylvania potatoes and champagne yeast for fermentation. What separates this vodka from nearly every commercial competitor is a strict hearts-only bottling policy — the distillery discards both heads and tails of the distillate rather than recycling them to improve yield, sacrificing volume for purity. This commitment to using only the cleanest center cut of the distillation run accounts for the spirit's notably smooth, bite-free character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with clean potato starch and fresh linen before revealing a lemony brightness edged with sea salt. It reads as crisp and inviting without any harsh ethanol burn.

Taste: Entry is luscious and semi-sweet, with a silky, chewy texture that immediately distinguishes it from grain-based vodkas. The mid-palate develops cocoa bean, maple, honey, and a mild earthy sweetness, while subtle hints of vanilla and black pepper emerge as the spirit opens up. A touch of lime adds brightness and keeps the palate from feeling heavy.

Finish: Clean, bright, and graceful with a buttery fade that lingers without overstaying. The finish carries a delicate earthiness and a whisper of honey that reinforces the potato-driven character.

How to Drink Boyd & Blair

Sipping neat or slightly chilled is the best way to appreciate the full weight and semi-sweet complexity — the hearts-only distillation gives it enough character to stand on its own without needing ice. That said, the creamy body and clean finish make it exceptional in cocktails:

• Vodka Martini: The buttery texture and sea-salt aroma create a richer, more layered Martini than grain vodkas typically deliver.
• Espresso Martini: Cocoa bean and maple mid-palate notes complement coffee liqueur and espresso naturally.
• Moscow Mule: The lime brightness and black pepper hints amplify ginger beer without competing with it.

Best For

• Gifting a spirits enthusiast who appreciates small-batch American craft
• Blind-tasting sessions to demonstrate what potato vodka can achieve
• Elevating a home Martini with a spirit that has genuine texture and depth
• Stocking a craft-forward home bar with award-winning domestic spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Boyd & Blair taste like? Boyd & Blair delivers a semi-sweet, creamy palate with notes of honey, cocoa bean, maple, and a touch of vanilla and black pepper, finishing clean and bright with no harsh bite.

How does Boyd & Blair compare to Chopin Vodka? Both are 100% potato vodkas, but Boyd & Blair is American-made with a noticeably weightier, chewier body and a sweeter mid-palate compared to Chopin's leaner, more mineral-driven Polish style. If you enjoy Chopin but want more richness and texture, Boyd & Blair is the natural step up.

Is Boyd & Blair good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the hearts-only distillation yields a spirit smooth enough to drink at room temperature or lightly chilled, with enough flavor complexity to reward slow, attentive sipping.

Where is Boyd & Blair made? Boyd & Blair is distilled by Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries in Shaler Township (Glenshaw), Pennsylvania, using potatoes sourced from local Pennsylvania farms.

What foods pair well with Boyd & Blair? Smoked salmon benefits from the spirit's lemony brightness and sea-salt nose. Dark chocolate mirrors the cocoa bean and maple mid-palate. Fresh oysters complement the clean, mineral finish. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie match the buttery texture. Honey-glazed charcuterie echoes the semi-sweet honey notes.

What sizes does Boyd & Blair come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Boyd & Blair worth the price? Boyd & Blair positions as a premium craft vodka, and its 96-point Ultimate Spirits Challenge score, 5-star Pacult rating, and hearts-only production method justify a higher price point than mass-produced alternatives — it competes with the best potato vodkas globally.

Why Boyd & Blair?

Few vodkas in any category hold a 96-point score from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge alongside a 5-star rating from F. Paul Pacult and three consecutive years as the Spirit Journal's top-ranked vodka worldwide. The hearts-only distillation policy is genuinely rare in commercial production, where tails recycling is standard practice to maximize output. Combined with a 100% Pennsylvania potato mashbill and champagne yeast fermentation, the result is a vodka with real texture, flavor, and provenance — not just marketing language. For drinkers who believe vodka should taste like something, Boyd & Blair is one of the strongest arguments in the category.