Vodka has long been a popular spirit due to its versatility and mixability. With the rise of the health and wellness movement, many vodka drinkers are now looking for options that are low in calories, sugars, and impurities. Tito’s Handmade Vodka has emerged as a frontrunner in the “healthiest vodka” category due to its craft production process and use of high-quality ingredients. But does Tito’s deserve this reputation when compared to other major vodka brands? Let’s take a closer look at how Tito’s is made and how it stacks up to competitors like Ketel One, Grey Goose, and Absolut.
How is Tito’s vodka made?
Tito’s is produced at Texas’ first legal distillery in Austin. It’s made from corn, rather than the more common grains like wheat or rye. The corn is fermented with yeast, then distilled six times in old-fashioned pot stills. This is more than the industry standard of three to five distillations. The additional distillations result in a purer, smoother spirit by removing more impurities and congeners (byproducts of fermentation). Tito’s doesn’t use a freeze filtration process like many vodka brands. It’s filtered through activated charcoal to remove any remaining impurities. The entire process from raw ingredients to finished product occurs at the distillery in Austin.
Nutrition facts for Tito’s vodka
One 1.5 ounce shot of Tito’s contains the following nutrients:
| Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
As expected for a distilled spirit, Tito’s has zero carbs, sugar, and protein. The calorie count is on par with other 80 proof vodkas.
How does Tito’s nutrition compare to other vodkas?
Let’s see how Tito’s stacks up to some other popular vodka brands.
Ketel One
| Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
Ketel One has an identical nutrition profile to Tito’s, with 100 calories and 0 g of carbs, sugar, and protein per 1.5 oz serving.
Grey Goose
| Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
Grey Goose is nearly identical as well, with just 1 less calorie per serving compared to Tito’s and Ketel One.
Absolut
| Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
Absolut has 96 calories per 1.5 oz, just slightly less than Tito’s, Ketel One, and Grey Goose.
As you can see, most 80 proof vodkas have very similar nutrition profiles, with around 100 calories and no carbs, sugars, or protein per standard shot. In terms of calories alone, Absolut edges out the competition, but the difference is negligible.
How do the ingredients compare between brands?
While the calorie and macronutrient profiles are very similar across these vodka brands, the ingredients and production processes can differ greatly. This is important for consumers who want to avoid potential allergens, impurities, and additives.
Tito’s
As mentioned, Tito’s uses non-GMO corn and distills its vodka 6 times in old-fashioned copper pot stills. No additives or sugars are added.
Ketel One
Ketel One starts with European wheat. It’s distilled in a continuous column still rather than copper pot stills. Ketel One is distilled 3 times then filtered through activated charcoal.
Grey Goose
Grey Goose uses French winter wheat and is distilled in a continuous still. It goes through a 4 step filtration process, including filtration through Champagne limestone, a process they have patented.
Absolut
Absolut uses winter wheat from Sweden. It’s distilled in continuous stills and then undergoes a multi-step filtration process including activated charcoal filtration.
Tito’s stands apart from the other brands by using corn instead of wheat, and by distilling 6 times rather than 3-5 times. The additional distillations and use of pot stills results in fewer impurities in the final product. If avoiding grains like wheat and additives are a priority, Tito’s would be the best option among these vodkas.
Is Tito’s gluten-free?
Many vodka drinkers choose Tito’s because it is marketed as gluten-free. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity often tolerate distilled spirits made from gluten-containing grains, because the distillation process removes the gluten proteins.
However, there is some ongoing debate around whether vodkas made from wheat can be safely considered gluten-free:
– Tito’s is certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group, which requires products to contain less than 10ppm of gluten.
– Many experts consider distilled spirits made from wheat to be safe for those with celiac disease, since the distillation process removes gluten. However, individuals with celiac disease react differently, so some may still react to traces of gluten.
– Some studies have detected small amounts of gluten over 10ppm in certain wheat vodkas. However the testing methodology is inconsistent.
– The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which regulates vodka labeling, maintains that distilled products made from wheat cannot be labeled as “gluten-free” in the United States.
So while Tito’s doesn’t contain any gluten ingredients, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use their own judgment based on individual tolerance levels. Those wanting to err on the side of caution may prefer a vodka made from corn or grapes rather than wheat.
Is Tito’s processed differently than other vodka brands?
As discussed earlier, Tito’s has some unique production methods that differentiate it from many other mainstream vodkas:
Raw ingredients
– Tito’s uses non-GMO yellow corn. Most vodka is made from more common grains like wheat, rye, or potatoes.
Distillation process
– Tito’s distills its vodka 6 times in traditional copper pot stills. Most vodkas are distilled 3 to 5 times in more economical continuous column stills.
– Pot stills result in more impurities being removed compared to column stills.
No freeze filtration
– Many vodka brands use freeze filtration to remove impurities. Tito’s skips this step.
– Freeze filtration results in some loss of flavor. By skipping it, Tito’s preserves more flavor from the corn.
Additives
– No sugars or additives are included in Tito’s. Some brands add glycerol, citric acid, or sweeteners to smooth out flavor.
So Tito’s stands apart by using a less common main ingredient, distilling 6 times in pot stills, avoiding freeze filtration, and processed without additives. This results in a distinctive flavor profile.
Is Tito’s vodka certified organic?
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is not certified organic. The corn used to produce Tito’s is non-GMO, but normal pesticides and fertilizers may be used by the farmers growing the corn.
For a spirit to be certified organic in the United States, it must use certified organic raw materials and include no added sulfites. Tito’s doesn’t currently meet these criteria.
Some vodka brands that are certified organic include Blue Ice, Wheatley, Boyd & Blair, and Square One.
While not certified organic, Tito’s does use non-GMO corn and avoids artificial additives and sugars during the distillation process. So it could still be a good option for consumers looking to minimize pesticides and additives compared to mainstream brands.
Is Tito’s vodka processed sustainably?
Tito’s has implemented several sustainable practices at their distillery in Austin, Texas:
– *Water conservation* – Tito’s helped fund projects to conserve water in nearby Barton Springs. Their stills are air-cooled instead of water-cooled, saving over 75 million gallons of water per year.
– *Grain sourcing* – The corn is sourced from within a few hundred miles of the distillery to reduce transport.
– *Waste products* – The “spent” grain left after distillation is given to local cattle ranchers for feed, instead of wasted. The CO2 byproduct is captured and recycled instead of released.
– *Solar power* – Over 30% of the distillery’s energy comes from solar panels installed on site.
– *LEED certification* – Their distillery achieved LEED Silver certification for its use of green building materials and conservation practices.
While not 100% sustainable, Tito’s has taken steps to reduce their environmental impact and operate more efficiently. They appear committed to improving their sustainability efforts over time.
What is the taste and quality of Tito’s compared to other vodkas?
Smoothness
Tito’s is considered a very smooth vodka due to its 6 distillations and use of pot stills. The additional distillations remove more “heads and tails” – impurities that can contribute harshness. Tito’s won awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its exceptionally smooth taste.
Flavor
The corn contributes a subtle sweetness and smoothness to Tito’s. It lacks the bitter notes found in some rye or wheat-based vodkas. Other brands like Ketel One and Belvedere are comparable in terms of smoothness and flavor quality.
Mixability
The balanced flavor profile of Tito’s makes it very mixable in cocktails. It adds softness without overpowering other ingredients. Grey Goose and Absolut also mix nicely without dominating a drink’s flavor.
Sipping vodka
While not quite as “refined” as an ultra-premium brand like Belvedere or Chopin, Tito’s complex flavor still holds up when sipping straight or on the rocks. Its smoothness makes it very easy to sip neat.
Overall, Tito’s is considered among the top shelf vodkas in terms of taste and quality. It’s exceptionally smooth and mixable, with a pleasing flavor profile. While not quite at the level of a luxury vodka, its quality outpaces lower-end brands.
Is Tito’s worth the price?
Tito’s Handmade Vodka has an MSRP of $30 for a 750mL bottle, which places it in the premium vodka category. However it’s often available for $20-25 per bottle, making it a very affordable premium vodka.
At this price point, Tito’s is considered an excellent value:
– It’s priced similarly to lower-end mainstream brands like Svedka and Smirnoff, but the quality is far superior.
– It’s one of the most affordable vodkas to be distilled in pot stills and undergo 6 distillations. This level of craftsmanship typically costs $40-50+ per bottle.
– It outshines other vodkas in the $20-30 price range, like Ketel One, New Amsterdam, or Svedka. Tito’s has a smoother, more complex taste.
– While Grey Goose costs slightly more, Tito’s is often preferred in blind taste tests. You get comparable quality for less money.
So while Tito’s isn’t the cheapest vodka on the market, it delivers exceptional quality and smoothness at a very reasonable price point. For budget-conscious vodka drinkers who still want quality, Tito’s is undoubtedly worth the investment.
Conclusion
So does Tito’s deserve its reputation as being among the healthiest and highest quality vodkas? Based on our analysis, the answer is yes. With no carbs, sugars, or gluten ingredients, and a distillation process that removes impurities, Tito’s is one of the “cleanest” vodkas available. It’s also crafted with quality ingredients and processes – like 6 copper pot still distillations – normally only found in much more expensive premium brands. Tito’s smooth, corn-influenced flavor strikes the perfect balance of mixable versatility and sippable enjoyment. The fact that it’s priced under $30 makes it almost unbeatable value for money. While not certified organic, and perhaps lacking the prestige of an ultra-luxury brand, Tito’s remains a very smart choice for the health-conscious vodka drinker. So next time you’re comparing vodka options, don’t overlook this craft brand from Texas – Tito’s stands out as one of the healthiest and highest quality choices on the shelf.
