Nose: Soft, vanilla-tinged ethanol. There is something else intangible that gives the nose a pleasant “creamy” quality (see below for the reveal). Palate: Creamy and soft on the arrival with the faintest possible hint of something spicy and herbal. A little white pepper and some chili. I’ve detected this chili “catch” in all this company’s products now so I’m wondering if it’s part of their distillation signature. Finish: Short. Neutral grain spirit trailing to slight bitterness. Blackwattle Distilling Co. is a new distillery recently established in the Sydney suburb of Rozelle, a couple of blocks from the old industrial foreshore area (which is undergoing redevelopment). Technically this area is called White Bay, but I guess the distillery owners liked the sound of Blackwattle better. We visited a couple of weekends ago and met Mark, one of the two distillers and company owners, who was dispensing free samples to visitors. This was our third taste of the day, after their two gins. Now, I’m no friend of vodka. For me it is an entirely pointless neat experience and only of use in cocktails. Fortunately, this is an OK vodka that is serviceable in any suitable cocktail context. Apparently the distillery's secret weapon here is wattleseed, an Australian native seed. They start with 96% ethanol sourced from the Manildra complex in southern NSW (as does almost every gin distillery in Australia) and then re-distill with wattleseed. This adds creaminess to both the aroma and palate. It’s not at all bad as vodkas go, but even so I have tasted better (yes, I know – how can you even tell the difference?) This is in my opinion the best thing that Blackwattle Distillery is currently producing. We were given a free 200ml sample bottle with our purchase of a 700ml bottle of their O.P. Gin and I’ve already used most of it. In hindsight I should have just bought a 700ml bottle of the vodka. “Above Average” : 80/100 (3 stars)