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Distilled in Dayton, Buckeye Vodka to launch next week
The owners of Dayton-based Buckeye Vodka are poised to unveil their new spirit throughout Ohio next week.
The new 80-proof vodka will be available April 1 for ordering by retail stores licensed to sell liquor and spirits in Ohio, and bottles should appear on those stores’ shelves later in the week, according to Jim Finke, co-owner and CEO of Buckeye Vodka. The retail price for a standard-sized (750 ml) bottle will be under $20 — $19.35 in Montgomery County, Finke said. Some local spirits sellers have already pre-ordered multiple cases of the craft vodka based on word-of-mouth enthusiasm, Finke said.
The spirit is the brainchild of Finke, who lives in Centerville, and his brother-in-law Tom Rambasek of Kettering, who owns and operates Crystal Water Company on South Patterson Boulevard in Dayton and who serves as president of Buckeye Vodka. Finke’s brother Chris is chairman.
Finke said he and his brother were looking to launch a business as a family, and drew on the expertise of a friend who produces a craft vodka in Texas. Buckeye Vodka is riding a national wave of artisanal spirits produced by small producers known as micro-distillers.
“Micro-distillers are changing the spirits landscape just like craft-beer makers did for brewing,” Finke said.
The collaboration with Crystal Water is an important component in Buckeye Vodka’s quality, Finke said. Buckeye Vodka uses water that has been softened four times, then filtered through carbon and distilled, helping to produce what Finke described as “a crisp, pure, clean-tasting vodka.” Grains used in making the vodka are sourced in Ohio and the Midwest.
The under-$20 price makes Buckeye Vodka less expensive than most other micro-distilled craft spirits. “We structured our company in a way to ensure ultra-premium quality at a price point that reflects our Ohio sensibilities,” Finke said.
There are no current plans to produce other spirits. “We’re just interested in making vodka right now,” Finke said.
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