Arbikie Nadar Vodka Highland Estate 70 cl 43%

A pea pulls nitrogen out of the air and leaves the soil better than it found it. That does not sound like something belonging in a vodka bottle. At Arbikie it is nonetheless the entire starting point.

Expert description

Arbikie Nadar Vodka is a Scottish Vodka distilled from peas grown at Arbikie Distillery and bottled at 43%.

Peas are legumes and fix their own nitrogen. They therefore need no synthetic fertiliser, and fertiliser is otherwise one of the heaviest entries in the ledger when grain becomes spirit. The sums end with each 70 cl bottle saving more than 1.53 kg CO2e beyond what it costs to produce.

Behind the bottle sits five years of doctoral research by distillery master distiller Kirsty Black in partnership with Abertay University. A gin came first, in 2020, and the vodka followed the year after as the first climate positive vodka in the world.

In flavour terms it is not neutral, and that is deliberate. The peas leave something green and floral that grain vodka never delivers, and 43% gives the spice room to open out.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and floral with crushed white pepper behind it. A green, almost vegetal breath sits underneath the whole thing.

Palate

Intense and lively. The spice arrives early and broadly, yet the mouth fills at the same time with a creamy sensation that softens the edges.

Finish

Long and distinct. The pepper draws out while the floral note returns right at the end.

Specifications

Name: Arbikie Nadar Vodka
Distillery: Arbikie Distillery
Region/Country: Angus, Scotland
Type: Scottish Vodka
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5060398440524
Serving suggestion: Neat and cool in a small glass, or in a Martini where the floral side has room.

Flavour profile

Floral · Spicy · Creamy · Green

Did you know?

The name comes from the Gaelic word for nature. Arbikie used it first on a gin in 2020, and that one is equally climate positive. The ledger for the gin bottle reads minus 1.54 kg CO2e.

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Frequently asked questions about Arbikie Nadar Vodka

What does climate positive actually mean?

That the production removes more carbon dioxide than it releases. The peas fix their own nitrogen and need no synthetic fertiliser, and the residue from distillation becomes animal feed. Net, each bottle saves more than 1.53 kg CO2e.

Can you taste the peas?

Yes, and that is the whole point. A green, almost vegetal layer sits under the aroma alongside a floral tone that grain vodka never provides. It is far from neutral, but not vegetable-like in any awkward sense.

How should it be served?

Cool, but not ice cold. The freezer shuts the floral side down and leaves only the pepper. Around ten degrees you hear both, and a small glass with a narrow opening gathers the aroma.

Which drinks suit it?

Clear drinks where the base can be heard. A Martini, a Vesper or something simple with tonic and a basil leaf. In heavily spiced drinks the detail disappears. Browse more bases in our range of Vodka.

Is it gluten free?

It is made from peas, water and yeast, with no grain involved. If you have a diagnosed gluten allergy you should still check the distillery’s own declarations, since production conditions can change.

Who is Kirsty Black?

Master distiller at Arbikie and the person who developed Nadar through five years of doctoral research with Abertay University. She has been listed among the leading female master distillers in the world by Spirits Business Magazine.

Does it make a good gift?

Yes, particularly for someone interested in sustainability or in spirits beyond the obvious. The story of the peas and the carbon ledger tells itself, and the flavour is distinctive enough to be remembered.