The Spirit You Might Have Missed
Walk into the cellar door at Wildstreak Distillery and you'll notice the gins first. The Australian Dry Gin with its lemon myrtle aromatics, the pink-hued Rosé Gin, the juniper-forward Classic Dry. They're beautiful bottles and they draw the eye. But if you look a little further along the bar, you'll find something quieter and, for a lot of spirit lovers, just as impressive: our Small Batch Vodka.
It's triple distilled, 40% ABV, and made right here in the Hunter Valley at our distillery on Hermitage Road. At $60 a bottle, it sits in a different space to the mass-produced vodkas you'll find on most shelves. This is a spirit with real character, and it's worth getting to know.
What Triple Distillation Actually Means
You'll see "triple distilled" on plenty of vodka labels, but what does it mean in practice? Each pass through the still strips out more impurities: the harsh alcohols and off-flavours that cheaper spirits carry. The first distillation separates alcohol from the fermented base. The second refines it. The third is where the real craft happens. The distiller makes precise cuts, keeping only the smoothest fraction of the spirit (the "heart") and discarding the rest.
The result is a vodka that's clean on the palate without being stripped of all personality. You'll taste a crisp, smooth spirit with a gentle whisper of vanilla on the finish. That's not a flavour additive. It's the natural character of a well-made, carefully distilled spirit.
Tasting Notes
Pour a small measure neat at room temperature before you mix anything. Good vodka reveals itself without ice. Our Small Batch Vodka is crisp and clean upfront, with a smooth, rounded mouthfeel that comes from that triple distillation process. The finish carries a subtle vanilla warmth: not sweet, just a hint of softness that lingers. It's a spirit made with sophistication and elegance in mind, and you can taste the care that goes into each small batch.
If you're used to vodka being "flavourless," this one might surprise you. There's genuine character here.
Three Ways to Drink It
Neat or on the rocks. The simplest test of any vodka. Pour 30mL over a single ice cube and let it open up for a minute. The vanilla note becomes more pronounced as it chills slightly. This is a spirit that doesn't need anything to hide behind.
The Espresso Martini. Arguably the cocktail of the decade, and heading into the cooler months, it's the perfect after-dinner drink. Shake 45mL of Small Batch Vodka with 30mL fresh espresso, 15mL coffee liqueur, and a teaspoon of sugar syrup. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. The vodka's clean profile lets the coffee shine, while that vanilla whisper ties everything together.
Classic Vodka Martini. For the purists: 60mL vodka, 10mL dry vermouth, stirred (not shaken) over ice, strained into a chilled glass with a lemon twist. The triple distillation gives this cocktail a silky texture that cheaper vodkas simply can't match.
Food Pairings
Vodka's clean profile makes it one of the most food-friendly spirits going. A chilled shot alongside fresh oysters is a classic pairing: the spirit's crispness cuts through the brininess beautifully. Smoked salmon on blinis with a vodka soda on the side is another natural match.
If you're visiting us at the cellar door, Wildstreak Kitchen serves platters Wednesday through Sunday and pizza on Fridays through Sundays. Both pair well with a vodka cocktail to start your afternoon. The antipasto platter with its cured meats and marinated vegetables is a particularly good match with an ice-cold vodka soda and a squeeze of lime.
The Broader Wildstreak Range
The Small Batch Vodka sits alongside a growing spirits collection at Wildstreak Distillery. If you're exploring the range, here's the full lineup:
- Australian Dry Gin ($75, 40% ABV): lemon myrtle, grapefruit, lime, tangelos and macadamia.
- Classic Dry Gin ($75, 40% ABV): a robust juniper base with aromatic botanicals and a smooth finish.
- Australian Rosé Gin ($75, 37% ABV): delicate rose petals and ripe summer berries.
- Christmas Gin ($60, 39% ABV): gingerbread, Christmas cake and candied fruit on a classic dry gin base.
If the gins catch your eye, the Wildstreak Gin 3 Pack ($199, save $26) is a good way to try all three signature gins at home.
Visit the Distillery
Wildstreak Distillery is part of the Peter Drayton Wines and IronBark Hill Brewing Co venue at 694 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, just six minutes off the Hunter Expressway. You can taste the full spirits range at the cellar door, alongside our wines and craft beers.
We're open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Bookings are recommended on weekends, especially if you're planning a tasting for a group.
And if you'd like to bring Wildstreak home with you, Wine Club members receive 20% off spirits and dining, 30% off wine, and free shipping on online orders. It's a good way to keep your home bar stocked between visits.
