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Three Silvers were given out in the penultimate flight, Flavoured/Infused Vodka-Based Spirit Drink, including two for White Claw Spirits Co. Chou noted: “I can see some very expressive combinations of flavours, and some of them did very well in bringing different flavour profiles. The fruity ones were a little bit watered down, and too fake. But the more herbal, savoury ones did very well. There were expressive characters.” Eleven Golds were given out, including one to Neft Vodka, enjoyed for its “smooth palate with a nice body and texture”, and Sapling Climate Positive Vodka, with its nose of “fresh and toasted grain” and “nutty sweetness” on the palate. They make all of their alcohol from 100% raw ingredients that have been grown locally by their founding members for over 100 years. Their unique single variety recipe, using the local Lincolnshire King Edward potato contributes to the distinctive flavour of Edwards 1902, and allows them to control the entire process ‘from soil to spirit’ to create a remarkably smooth, luxurious and now award-winning vodka. Their team members have been working separately on the creation of a new, premium spirit since 2013 but it wasn’t until three families’ paths crossed in 2018 that the Elsham Wold Distillery became a reality.
Filer offered some insight into flavoured vodkas: “Some wild variation in quality in this round, with some very good examples of flavoured vodkas, and, sadly, some poorly balanced and artificial-tasting examples. More care could be taken in production in this category.” They were on the lookout for clean, crisp vodkas, with a smooth mouthfeel and well-integrated alcohol. Their single-variety premium English potato vodka has secured four internationally-recognised awards since its launch in 2020. The multiple-award winning Edwards 1902 outscored some established vodka brands during the blind taste tests, indicating important industry support in its debut year. The largest flight of the competition, Flavoured/Infused Vodka, saw Desi Daru Mango Vodka come out on top. Jones said that it offered: “Lovely natural mango aromas and more pulpy on the palate with a hint of tannic structure. Smooth and well-integrated alcohol.”
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The first went to Desi Daru Mango Vodka, which Rodriguez-Curtis enjoyed for its “fleshy and vibrant” nose. He said: “The palate is smooth, pleasant, good level of mango flavour and good level of enjoyability. The mango has a brilliant freshness. Chilled out of the fridge or freezer, this vodka would be brilliant to enjoy.” Absolut Elyx also took home a Master, impressing Rodriguez-Curtis with its “clean nose, lemon and ripe stone fruit. The palate has a pleasant mouthfeel, good texture and well balanced alcohol”. Also taking home the top award was 8 Mile Vodka, which Perez Terrado said offered: “Clean, grapefruit aroma, great body and mouthfeel around the tongue, followed by delightful peppery heat balance with light bitter astringency.” Nine Golds were also discovered, including one for Pravda, which offered “floral grain notes, an absolutely superb texture, bit of pepperiness, but nice and full with crisp grain notes”.
The Smooth flight saw Desi Daru Mango Vodka take home another Master, enjoyed for its “lovely juicy mango on the nose” and “warming and smooth texture without excessive heat”. The “bright and elegant” Muff Vodka and Altumura Vodka with its “luxurious texture” took home Gold medals. SHS Drinks has extended cordial brand Bottlegreen into alcohol with the launch of an elderflower vodka liqueur made with UK producer Edwards 1902. Banks and Bloom Ice Vodka impressed Filer, who said: “Soft nose with some creamy vanilla, lemon and grain. A smooth and oily mouthfeel with a saline element, and a balanced profile of peppery grain with sweet citrus, and no disruptive heat.” Filer said of the Premium flight: “A flight with impressive quality, considering the value of the products; some still have the distinctive ‘cheap vodka’ flavour and texture, but some present a balance and complexity that is impressive for the price point.”While sales appear to be stagnant for the category in the US, producers continue to invest in new products, capitalising on trends such as sustainability, low-ABV and provenance. Even ready-to-drink brands, such as White Claw and Truly, have made moves into the vodka category as demand for hard seltzers falters. Smith called the flight a “step up in interest and complexity from the previous category, with a more developed character from some of these products”. Shaken, stirred or sipped neat, there are plenty of quality options to discover in this year’s results Nykur Super Premium Organic Vodka completed the Master streak. Rodriguez-Curtis said: “The palate is fantastic, the alcohol is perfectly integrated, balanced well and the texture rounded. The slightly higher alcohol adds to the texture. It feels grown-up and premium, like a vodka you want to enjoy in a Martini.”
A retaste of the highest scorers saw Desi Daru Mango Vodka selected as this year’s Vodka Taste Master. Other Golds went to Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action, enjoyed for its “delicate sweetness and hints of white chocolate and earthy spice”, the “sweet and earthy” Jean Marc XO Vodka, and the “clean and crisp” White Claw Spirits Triple Wave Filtered Premium Vodka. Sarah Lawson, head of marketing for softs at SHS Drinks, added: “While this is the first time we’ve put the brand name to an alcohol product, all Bottlegreen drinks are crafted using specialist, flavour-enhancing processes traditionally employed by winemakers, so the alcohol category isn’t totally alien to us.”
About Edwards Potato Vodka
As evidenced by our Taste Master winner, perhaps a renewed focus on flavours from vodka producers will help to drive growth of the category.
Prousaefs was particularly enamoured of Summum Single Estate Vodka: “Very smooth, crisp and light on the nose and palate. Super easy going and easy to drink, with an almost excellent mouthfeel and lasting finish.” A single entry in the potato-based vodka round saw Nine Tines take a Gold, enjoyed for its “sweetness on the nose and palate, and nice balance – would be great sipped neat, or in a Martini”. Pulse Vodka won a Silver in the following flight, Vodka Base – Corn. Meanwhile, Pod Pea Vodka was the worthy recipient of a Master medal in the Vodka Base – Pea round. Chou particularly enjoyed this expression: “Expressive green, grassy, leafy, lactic notes on the nose. Very complex, with sweet caramel on the palate.” Other Gold winners included: Into the Wild Vodka, with its “clean and neutral nose” and “spice and pepper”; “creamy and sippable” Tanzanite Vodka with its “touch of crushed pine needle freshness and lime zest”; “soft and floral” Riverland Rose Vodka; and Incognito Vodka, with its “creamy sweetness and tangy citrus” on the palate.
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This year’s Vodka Masters headed to the Hippodrome in London, where three panels of judges were tasked with dishing out medals to worthy entrants. The final flight of the day, Vodka Liqueur, saw a Gold go to Edwards 1902 x Bottlegreen Elderflower Liqueur. It was praised for its “light elderflower notes” and “good acidity”. The joint venture is the first time two British companies have come together to produce an elderflower liqueur.
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