Archie Rose Original Vodka

Great vodka

Nose: Crisp, clean with mild but well-defined botanical components. Light citrus, green apple skins, a hint of raspberry (but very delicate), mint, coriander and eucalyptus (also very delicate). There is a floral quality to the overall nose. Palate: Faintly sweet arrival with a mild white pepper bite. Yuzu and green apple in the development with a hint of liquorice. The mouthfeel is creamy and silken. Finish: Medium/short. Mineral and light pepper finish tailing into a clean, fresh aftertaste with just a suggestion of citrus. I was uncertain where to classify this spirit because although Archie Rose simply call it their “Original” vodka it is unmistakably a botanical spirit and not simply unflavoured vodka. However, neither is it what I think of as a “flavoured” vodka. There is no heavy-handed injection of flavourings here but instead a subtle and diaphanous infusion of complex botanicals. Mrs Cascode & I attended a gin-blending course yesterday (despite the torrid 41 degree Celsius weather in Sydney!) and we tasted this vodka as part of a flight of spirits following the event. When tasted in isolation this presents as a very delicately flavoured vodka but in the context of several gins, and especially once you have tasted some of their undiluted botanical extracts, it is obvious that this is basically Archie Rose’s Signature Gin executed with a lighter touch and no juniper component at all (and I suspect no coriander or orris root either). Very refreshing, it works well with tonic and also with soda water for a lighter-bodied long drink, and for me anyway it is far more interesting taken neat than any unflavoured vodka I’ve tasted. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)