Tito's Handmade Vodka 1.75L

Tito's Handmade Vodka 1.75L is a corn-based American vodka distilled six times in copper pot stills, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). Winner of a Double Gold Medal at the 2001 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, it helped launch the craft spirits movement in Texas and remains one of the best-selling vodkas in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Austin, Texas, USA  |  Unaged Corn Vodka  |  Distillery: Mockingbird Distillery (Fifth Generation, Inc.)

Production & Heritage

Founded in 1997 by Bert "Tito" Beveridge, Fifth Generation, Inc. operates out of Mockingbird Distillery — Texas' first legal distillery. Rather than relying on industrial column stills common in large-scale vodka production, Tito's is micro-distilled in old-fashioned copper pot stills, a method more closely associated with single malt Scotch and French cognac. The base spirit is made entirely from yellow corn rather than the wheat or potato bases typical in the category, then distilled six times to achieve a clean, subtly sweet profile before being filtered and proofed with water.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Subtle charcoal and roasted grain appear first on the nose, giving way to sweeter notes of corn mash and a faint wisp of pipe tobacco. There is a gentle creaminess underlying those grain-forward aromas that signals the corn base.

Taste: The entry carries a lightly smoky, charred character that transitions into a moderately viscous, oily mid-palate. Sweet corn and a touch of vanilla cream emerge alongside cracked black pepper spice, producing a rounded, semisweet impression with noticeable body for a vodka.

Finish: Medium in length with a distinctive oily, almost bacon-like richness that lingers. A delicate lemon note and white pepper warmth trail off cleanly without harshness.

How to Drink Tito's

Tito's works well chilled and served neat or over ice, where its corn sweetness and creamy texture come through most clearly. It also earns its reputation as a versatile cocktail vodka.

• Vodka Tonic — Tito's earned the UCC Chairman's Trophy for World's Best Vodka Tonic at the 2010 Ultimate Cocktail Challenge; the corn sweetness balances tonic's bitterness without overwhelming botanicals.
• Moscow Mule — The subtle black pepper spice and oily body stand up to ginger beer and fresh lime without disappearing.
• Bloody Mary — The smoky, slightly savory character of the spirit complements tomato, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce naturally.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for regular cocktail mixing in a cost-effective format
• Hosting gatherings where a crowd-pleasing, versatile vodka is essential
• Introducing friends to American craft-distilled spirits
• Batch cocktail preparation for parties, brunches, or tailgates

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tito's taste like? Tito's Handmade Vodka delivers sweet corn grain and a touch of vanilla cream up front, followed by cracked black pepper spice, an oily mid-palate, and a clean finish with faint lemon and smoky undertones.

How does Tito's compare to Ketel One? Both occupy the mid-tier vodka segment and together dominate on-premise vodka sales, but they differ at the base: Tito's is corn-distilled in pot stills, yielding a sweeter, oilier body, while Ketel One uses wheat and a combination of pot and column stills for a crisper, more citrus-forward profile. Tito's also carries a gluten-free designation due to its corn base, which can be a deciding factor for some drinkers.

Is Tito's good for cocktails? Tito's is widely regarded as one of the most reliable mixing vodkas at its price point; its subtle sweetness and clean finish make it disappear into citrus-forward drinks while its oily body adds texture to spirit-forward builds like a Vodka Martini.

Where is Tito's made? Tito's Handmade Vodka is produced at Mockingbird Distillery in Austin, Texas, which was the first legal distillery in the state when it was established in 1997 by Fifth Generation, Inc.

What foods pair well with Tito's? Smoked salmon and blinis complement the spirit's faintly smoky character. Oysters on the half shell highlight the clean, briny contrast against corn sweetness. Mild cheeses like fresh mozzarella or burrata echo its creamy texture. Grilled corn on the cob reinforces the grain-forward profile. Dark chocolate with sea salt plays off the pepper spice and subtle sweetness.

What sizes does Tito's come in? Tito's Handmade Vodka is widely available in 50ml, 375ml, 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L bottles; this listing is the 1.75L handle format, the most economical option per pour.

Is Tito's worth the price? Tito's positions as a mid-tier vodka that consistently punches above its price class — its Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95-point rating from Wine Enthusiast place it alongside expressions that cost significantly more, making the 1.75L format particularly strong on value.

Why Tito's?

Few vodkas can claim both craft credibility and mass-market success the way Tito's can. It was pot-distilled from corn in Austin before "craft spirits" was a recognized category, earning a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in its early years and a four-star ranking from Spirit Journal in both 2001 and 2007. The 100% yellow corn mashbill gives it a character that stands apart from wheat and potato vodkas — slightly sweeter, noticeably rounder, and more textured on the palate. In the 1.75L format, it delivers that same copper-pot-still quality at a volume that makes sense for anyone who reaches for vodka regularly.