In the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a city known for its soulful music and vibrant history, Old Dominick Distillery has unveiled a game-changer with the launch of its reformulated Memphis Vodka on June 26, 2025. This isn’t just another bottle on the shelf—it’s a bold step forward, blending time-honored craftsmanship with a modern twist that’s sure to catch the attention of anyone who appreciates a clean, crisp drink. With a focus on quality and affordability, Old Dominick is pouring a little piece of Memphis into every glass.
The distillery, a fixture in Memphis since its founding in 1866 by Domenico Canale, has always been about capturing the spirit of the city. Their latest offering, the reformulated Memphis Vodka, takes that mission to a new level. By tapping into the unique qualities of the Memphis Sand Aquifer, using a meticulous charcoal filtration process, and refining their distillation techniques, Old Dominick has created a vodka that’s as smooth as a summer evening on the Mississippi River. It’s designed to stand out in your favorite cocktail or shine on its own, neat or over ice.
Image credit: Old Dominick Distillery
Chris Canale, owner of Old Dominick Distillery, is clearly proud of what his team has achieved. He explains that the new vodka is a complete reimagining of their previous recipe, built from the ground up to deliver a cleaner, crisper taste. “We took everything we learned from our earlier vodka and pushed it further,” Canale says. “The result is a spirit with incredible smoothness that still has character. And it all starts with the water we use—Memphis’s aquifer water is something you can’t find anywhere else.”
That water is the secret weapon behind Memphis Vodka’s distinct profile. Drawn from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, it’s naturally filtered through layers of sand and gravel, resulting in a purity that’s hard to beat. Lead Distiller David Valentine, who has been steering the distillery’s production since taking over from longtime Master Distiller Alex Castle, emphasizes the water’s role. “The aquifer gives us water with minimal impurities and amazing clarity,” Valentine says. “It’s the foundation for a vodka that’s as pure as it gets, letting us craft a spirit that’s true to what vodka should be.”
The process doesn’t stop at the water. Old Dominick employs a multi-step distillation method that strips away anything that could muddle the vodka’s clean taste. Charcoal filtration, a nod to Tennessee’s whiskey-making traditions, adds an extra layer of refinement, smoothing out the edges while preserving just enough character to make every sip interesting. The result is a vodka that’s versatile—whether it’s the backbone of a classic martini, the kick in a Bloody Mary, or simply poured over ice for a no-fuss drink.
Image credit: Old Dominick Distillery
What sets Old Dominick apart isn’t just the quality of their vodka but their commitment to keeping it accessible. Priced to fit into the budgets of everyday drinkers, Memphis Vodka doesn’t ask you to break the bank for a premium experience. This approach reflects the distillery’s broader mission to make high-quality spirits that anyone can enjoy, not just collectors or connoisseurs. The reformulated vodka has replaced the brand’s previous version and is now available at retailers across the Mid-South, from Tennessee to Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Illinois, with plans to expand into Wisconsin and Georgia.
Old Dominick’s roots run deep in Memphis. Founded over 150 years ago by Italian immigrant Domenico Canale, the distillery has a storied past that includes surviving Prohibition and reemerging in 2017 as a modern operation in a historic downtown warehouse. Located at 305 South Front Street, the 50,000-square-foot facility is more than just a production site—it’s a destination. Visitors can take a tour to see the grain-to-glass process up close, from the gleaming stills to the oak barrels aging whiskey in the back. The tour ends with a tasting that showcases the distillery’s full lineup, including their acclaimed Tennessee Whiskey, Huling Station Bourbon, Formula No. 10 Gin, and the fan-favorite Memphis Toddy, a bourbon-based cordial revived from an 1880 recipe.
The distillery’s bar is another draw, offering craft cocktails made exclusively with Old Dominick spirits. Imagine sipping a Memphis Martini, where the vodka’s clean profile lets the other ingredients shine, or a Memphis Mary, spiced up just right for a weekend brunch. Canale hopes drinkers will embrace the local pride in these cocktails, saying, “When you use our vodka, you’re not just making a drink—you’re making it Memphis.”
For those who want to dive deeper, Old Dominick offers more than just a bottle. The distillery hosts events, from bottle signings to private parties, in a space that blends industrial charm with Southern hospitality. Their tasting room and retail shop are stocked with everything from bottles of their signature spirits to branded merchandise, perfect for grabbing a souvenir after a tour. The distillery’s commitment to community is evident in its role as a gathering place, where locals and visitors alike can share a sip and a story.
Memphis Vodka isn’t just a drink—it’s a reflection of the city’s grit and heart. Old Dominick has taken a classic spirit and given it a distinctly local twist, using natural resources and time-tested techniques to create something that feels both timeless and fresh. Whether you’re a vodka enthusiast or just someone who enjoys a good cocktail, this reformulated spirit is worth seeking out. Next time you’re at a bar or browsing a liquor store, look for Old Dominick Memphis Vodka. It’s a taste of Memphis, bottled and ready to pour.
