Absolut Vanilla

Nose: Butterscotch! Palate: Sweet arrival with vanilla and butterscotch flavours just barely covering the ethanol foundation. The texture is creamy. Finish: Short. Dilute caramel in the aftertaste. Whoa! That was unexpected. After trying Absolut Lime and Citron flavoured vodkas I was expecting this one to be straight-up vanilla essence, but it is nothing of the kind. Why did they not call this Butterscotch Vodka and be done with it, because that is for sure what it is. Big, warm, hefty and slightly floral but the toffee notes are much more prominent. I guess there is a resemblance to the sort of vanilla flavour you get in Vanilla Coke, but this is really something quite different, and all of its own. It’s so artificial and strange it’s oddly compelling, but unlike the Lime and Citron Absolute (which are deliciously smooth and crazy easy to drink) there is some alcohol heat to this. It’s OK, and I’m sure there are countless ways it can be enjoyed. As with all the Absolut I’ve tasted thus far it has no particular faults, however whereas the citrus-based versions go very well with tonic as gin replacements I don’t think this would work in that context. It would probably go well with coffee and it could be killer as the vodka in an espresso martini! I’m probably the worst person in the world to rate this. I can only critique it on the basis of what I like and this is a spirit that I would probably not use very much. However, if you are looking for an interesting new mixer or something fun and unusual to take to a party then you might well rate it much more generously. Tasted from a 50ml retail sample. “Above Average” : 80/100 (3 stars)