Two James Spirits 28 Island Vodka
Two James Spirits 28 Island Vodka is the first bottling from Detroit's first licensed distillery since Prohibition — 82 proof (41% ABV), 750mL, distilled in Corktown from a blend of 70% corn and 30% organic winter wheat. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 41% (82 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Base: 70% corn, 30% organic winter wheat
- Style: Small-batch vodka, unaged and unflavoured
- Origin: Corktown, Detroit, Michigan, USA (Two James Spirits)
- Distillery: First licensed distillery in Detroit since Prohibition (founded 2012)
Named for the Bootleggers' Islands
During Prohibition, the Detroit River held 28 islands, and bootleggers smuggling liquor down from Canada hid their loads on them while they waited for a safe run into the United States — many of those islands have since slipped under the water. Two James, founded in 2012 by Detroit natives David Landrum and Peter Bailey with its tasting room open in Corktown in 2013, named its first distributed spirit for that river-running past. Browse the rest of our vodka shelf, or see the house's gin and bourbon on the Two James Spirits vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Character: Buttery and balanced in the distillery's own description, with hints of vanilla and a subtle spice, and a light natural sweetness from the corn-and-wheat base. Finish: Warm and clean, with the wheat keeping it soft rather than sharp.
How to Enjoy
The distillery's own serve is a Moscow Mule — vodka, lime juice and ginger beer with a lime wheel — but the buttery, slightly sweet profile also holds up in a Martini or a simple vodka soda where the base spirit has nowhere to hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called 28 Island? For the 28 islands once in the Detroit River, where Prohibition bootleggers hid Canadian liquor while waiting to bring it into the United States.
What is 28 Island Vodka made from? A blend of 70% corn and 30% organic winter wheat, distilled in Corktown, Detroit — and bottled at 41% ABV, a touch stronger than the standard 40% vodka.
Was this Two James' first product? Yes — it was the first spirit in the line to be distributed, ahead of the house's gin and bourbon.
Detroit's river-running vodka — pick up Two James 28 Island Vodka online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.