NAS
Hard Cut
45%
NAS
In March, "Rocky IV" star Dolph Lundgren punched his way into the spirits industry with the debut of Hard Cut Vodka. Distilled in Idaho using potatoes and water sourced from the Rocky Mountains (a coincidence at best), Hard Cut describes itself as a firm response to a vodka category "gone soft." The spirit is bottled at 90 proof and costs a smidge less than $30.
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Abundantly neutral with whispers of wheat and buttery mashed potatoes. A hint of sweetness halfway between apples and nougat rears its head after a few whiffs.
Fantastic mouthfeel that lingers on the palate with a soothing creamy character. Pairs nicely with the spirit's light flavors of sourdough bread, vanilla bean and pear. Going with the above-average proof point was definitely the right choice. The mouthfeel leaves plenty to chew on, but it doesn't veer into that nasty ethanol territory you often get from budget-friendly vodkas.
Lemon zest, green apple, wet earth and bread linger and vanish on the backend.
Truth be told, I was surprised to hear we were getting a new celebrity-backed vodka in 2025. It feels like a trend that's come and gone, leaving behind far too many competitors for any one brand to stand out. But Hard Cut does a more than admirable job. It's got subtle sweetness, a pleasant kick and a gummy mouthfeel that works wonders for an otherwise largely flavorless spirit. Hats off to Dolph for a solid addition to the bar cart.
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Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
