Bench Mark

Bench Mark is a vodka from Massachusetts, produced under the BENCHMARK label. The details on file don't give a base ingredient, proof, or distillation method, so the character described here is what's typical of the category, not a measured profile of this bottle. Most American vodkas in this style are built to be neutral. Expect a clean nose, a light, slightly oily texture on the palate, and a short finish with little more than faint grain sweetness or a touch of peppery warmth. If you like vodka with a distinct personality, this isn't that style. If you want a spirit that disappears into a drink and lets the other ingredients lead, it is. That neutrality is the main reason to choose it for mixing. In a Moscow Mule, a clean vodka lets the ginger beer and lime carry the drink. Pour 2 ounces over ice in a copper mug or highball glass, add about half an ounce of fresh lime juice, and top with a spicy ginger beer. A Bloody Mary needs a base that stays out of the way of tomato, horseradish, celery salt, and Worcestershire, and a neutral vodka suits that. A Cosmopolitan works the same way: vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry, and fresh lime, shaken hard and strained. In an Espresso Martini, vodka adds the alcohol without competing with the coffee. Shake it with fresh espresso and coffee liqueur until the foam forms. For a Martini, a clean vodka suits a dry, minimal build. Stir or shake about 2½ ounces with a half-ounce or less of dry vermouth over plenty of ice. Strain it into a chilled coupe or martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist or olives. Keep the vermouth fresh and refrigerated once opened, since it affects the drink more than most people expect. To drink it neat, store the bottle in the freezer. Cold mutes any alcohol bite and thickens the texture slightly. Serve it well chilled in a small rocks glass or a stemmed glass. It pairs naturally with salty, rich, or briny foods such as smoked fish, pickles, cured meats, and potato dishes.