Dao Distillery’s rice vodka is a natural extension of its core mission, translating Vietnam’s traditional ru?u d? into a cleaner, modern style while staying rooted in heritage. Founded by Sacramento-based chemist Binh Dao, the distillery draws on family knowledge of rice fermentation paired with scientific precision, using California-grown rice from the Sacramento Delta as its base material. The process follows classic steps of cooking, fermenting, and distilling rice into a neutral spirit, positioning the vodka alongside Asian rice distillates like shochu and soju but with a distinctly Californian identity. Bottled at 40% ABV, the vodka emphasizes purity and approachability, offering a clean, smooth profile that reflects both the delicacy of rice and the distillery’s blend of tradition and modern technique.