Lay’s has branched out from Potato Chips to make… Vodka?

As a neutral spirit made from little more than alcohol and water, vodka can be distilled from all sorts of ingredients, including corn, quinoa, and even old Twinkies. Hey, to each his own.  But historically, the classic vodka comes from potatoes. So perhaps it shouldn’t be too much of a stretch to hear that Lay’s has announced they will be using the same potatoes they cultivate and throw in a fryer to make their classic potato chips… to start distilling their very own Vodka.

Created in partnership with Portland, Oregon’s Eastside Distilling, Lay’s Vodka is made with a blend of Portland Potato Vodka and vodka distilled from Lay’s proprietary potatoes. For the unaware, Lay’s chips are made with a variety of potato developed in-house by Frito-Lay food scientists. According to a 2018 article from the Hartford Courant, they “are drier and grainier than the Russets, Yukon Golds and Red potatoes found in grocery stores.” (And as topical aside, these potatoes were recently in the news as Frito-Lay’s parent company, PepsiCo, has been in an ongoing dispute with Indian farmers who are growing the variety without PepsiCo’s authorization.)

As for taste, Lay’s has kept it simple, foregoing the temptation to create a BBQ or Sour Cream & Onion vodka, and instead opting for a straight 80-proof vodka with a “crisp, clean finish.”

Bottles have launched exclusively at Shop.EastsideDistilling.com/LaysVodka, where they can be picked up for $40 a pop while supplies last (and if similar promotions are any indication, they won’t last long). Promotional photos show that the labels are individually numbered out of a batch of just 1,300 bottles.

“For decades, Lay’s has created joy through iconic chips and delicious flavors,” the company stated. “Now, just in time for holiday festivities, the iconic potato chip brand is transforming its signature, proprietary potatoes into a one-of-a-kind vodka.” I can only assume it pairs well with potato chips.

Since February is National Potato Lover’s Month, maybe it’s time to give Lay’s Vodka a… shot?  Thank you! We’ll be here all week!

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