Don't Forget to be Brave: Hammer Spring Habenero Vodka

Halloween is here. The spooky season, the season for confronting your fears, the season for looking those fears in the eyes and laughing it off, the season for bravery. Halloween is a time to celebrate that which makes us afraid. That which makes us feel our humanity and our true insignificance in the world. The thing about fear is that it doesn't discriminate, what one finds frightening another might find delightful. So at this, the season of the ghouls and ghost look your fears in the eye and never ever forget to be brave. 

The Distillery

Hammer Spring is a newer distillery in the city of salt which has a variety of options for the ever discerning palate. They offer a truly unique Gin and the only potato Vodka made in the state of Utah, their grain-based Hidden Vodka that has a percentage of sales going to combating human trafficking, and they offer a delicious coffee liquor and JP's World Famous Whiskey Syrup. They also offer the subject of today's fear-based discussion, a truly unique and powerful spirit: The Habenero Vodka. 

The Spirit

Remember that spooky talk about being brave? This spirit is not for the faint of heart. This is a bold, unique, and dare I say spicy spirit? Full disclosure - I am not a big fan of Vodka. Not since I left college and swore to never touch a Smirnoff bottle again. This is no Smirnoff. This spirit starts with the only potato vodka made in the state of Utah and then is infused with pure habanero extract. The first time I tasted this at the distillery master distiller and owner JP had this as the last sampling in our tasting. For good reason. As he poured a quarter of an ounce into the tasting cup I thought to myself wow that isn't a lot. I was wrong. So very wrong. This is a case of a little goes a long way. This baby packs a punch. 

At first taste, the habanero flavor comes through in spades, a little sip is all you need. The burn and I'm not going to lie there is a burn, comes at the tail end on the back of the tongue and lingers like a house guest that can't take the hint to leave. Unlike your unwanted house guest this burn is very welcome, that hearty warm feeling you get when you sip a good spirit? The burn amplifies that feeling leaving you warm, comfortable, and most of all feeling pretty darn good. The thing that surprised me the most about this was that despite the heat it is packed with flavor. The habanero flavor comes through and is pleasant on the tongue. This particular bottle is only available at the bottle shop in the distillery you will not find it in Utah liquor stores. 

Sir Hiss Does a Slither. He ain't afraid of no heat. 

If you are the type to shy from the spice, if you think mayo is too spicy this one may not be for you. However, if you get into the spirit of the season, if you look at your fears in the eye, laugh. and try this, I do believe you'll be surprised. This vodka is a joy and nothing to be afraid of, but if you are . . . Don't forget to be brave. 

Spirit Guides Cocktail

The Smokey Pepper Paloma

1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup mezcal (No tequila here!)

1/4 cup club soda

1 oz Hammer Spring Habenero Vodka (add more or less depending on the level of heat desired)

~ Justin, Elder Statesman of the Spirit Guides

Hammer Spring Distillery 
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
3697 West 1987 South

Winter Hours
1:00pm-6:00pm Tues-Sat
Closed Sundays and holidays.

Tours and tastings available by walk-in or appointment.
Private tours and events available

Please note that the spirit guides paid for this bottle for this review.