Brilliant Vodka 1L is a 42% ABV (84 proof) craft vodka distilled from soft white organic wheat by Lifted Spirits in Kansas City, Missouri. Its slightly higher proof than the standard 40% ABV gives it a fuller body and more expressive grain character, setting it apart from conventional vodkas in the category. Quick Facts: ABV: 42% (84 Proof) | Origin: Kansas City, Missouri, USA | Style: Organic Wheat Vodka | Distillery: Lifted Spirits Production & Heritage Lifted Spirits is a craft distillery based in Kansas City, Missouri, known for small-batch production with an emphasis on ingredient quality. Brilliant Vodka is built on two foundational choices: soft white organic wheat as the base grain and reverse-osmosis purified water. Rather than stripping away all character through aggressive charcoal filtration, the distillery uses a precisely selected filtration process designed to retain the wheat's natural sweetness and texture while achieving clarity and smoothness. The result is a vodka that intentionally expresses its raw material rather than hiding it. Tasting Notes Aroma: Fresh-milled wheat dominates the nose immediately, carrying a clean cereal sweetness. Given time to open, delicate lemon notes emerge alongside the grain, adding brightness without becoming sharp. Taste: The entry is soft and sweet with orange and lemon citrus arriving early. The mid-palate builds steadily toward a lemon-raspberry peak that carries surprising complexity for a vodka. The mouthfeel is elegant throughout, with a gentle hint of sweetness that avoids cloying territory. Finish: Lemon pastry lingers initially before transitioning to a milky, rounded texture accented by white pepper, raspberry sherbet, and whole orange peel. The finish is clean and round, fading gradually without harshness. How to Drink Brilliant Vodka At 42% ABV, Brilliant rewards neat sipping slightly chilled, where its wheat-driven sweetness and citrus complexity are most apparent. A single large ice cube opens the texture further without diluting the delicate aromatics too quickly. Vodka Martini: The lemon and white pepper notes hold their own against dry vermouth, making a clean, grain-forward Martini. Lemon Drop: The natural citrus character in Brilliant amplifies fresh lemon juice rather than competing with it. Moscow Mule: The soft wheat sweetness and raspberry undertones complement ginger beer's spice, producing a more layered take on the classic. Best For Vodka drinkers exploring craft-distilled, grain-forward alternatives to mass-market brands Gifting someone who values organic ingredients and small-batch production Hosting cocktail nights where a slightly higher-proof vodka adds structure to mixed drinks Building a home bar with American craft spirits from independent distilleries Frequently Asked Questions What does Brilliant Vodka taste like? Brilliant Vodka leads with sweet citrus — orange and lemon — layered over a soft organic wheat base, building to a lemon-raspberry peak. The finish is clean and round with white pepper, raspberry sherbet, and lingering lemon pastry character. How does Brilliant Vodka compare to Grey Goose? Both are wheat-based vodkas, but Brilliant uses organic soft white wheat and is bottled at 42% ABV versus Grey Goose's 40% ABV French winter wheat profile. Brilliant tends to be more overtly grain-forward and citrus-driven, while Grey Goose leans toward a lighter, more neutral style. Is Brilliant Vodka good for sipping neat? Yes — the 42% ABV and retained wheat character give it enough body and flavor complexity to drink neat or slightly chilled, unlike more neutral vodkas that rely on mixers for interest. Where is Brilliant Vodka made? Brilliant Vodka is produced by Lifted Spirits, a craft distillery located in Kansas City, Missouri. It is distilled using locally sourced reverse-osmosis purified water and organic soft white wheat. What foods pair well with Brilliant Vodka? Smoked salmon or cured fish complement the wheat sweetness; fresh oysters on the half shell highlight the clean citrus notes; mild soft cheeses like burrata echo the milky finish; lemon tarts mirror the pastry-like fade; and white pepper-crusted seared scallops pick up on the spirit's peppery undertones. What sizes does Brilliant Vodka come in? Brilliant Vodka is available in a 1L bottle, which offers additional volume over the standard 750ml format. Is Brilliant Vodka worth the price? Brilliant Vodka positions as a premium craft vodka, justified by its organic wheat base, reverse-osmosis water, and small-batch distillation at a higher-than-standard 42% ABV. For drinkers who value transparent sourcing and grain-forward flavor over neutrality, it represents strong value within the craft vodka tier. Why Brilliant Vodka? What distinguishes Brilliant from the crowded vodka market is its refusal to chase neutrality. By starting with organic soft white wheat, purifying water through reverse osmosis, and filtering with restraint rather than excess, Lifted Spirits preserves a genuine grain personality that most commercial vodkas deliberately strip away. The 42% ABV — two points above the legal minimum — gives the spirit enough weight to stand on its own neat while also adding backbone in cocktails. For anyone tired of interchangeable vodkas that taste like nothing in particular, Brilliant makes a credible case that vodka can actually have something to say.
