Ciroc Apple Premium French Vodka 70 cl 37,5%

A green apple bites back. That is the whole point of this bottle: not ripe, soft apple juice, but the sharp jaw twinge you get from the first bite of an apple that is still a little too firm.

Expert description

Ciroc Apple is a French Vodka built on French wine grapes, infused with natural apple flavour and bottled at 37.5%.

The base is the same vodka as the unflavoured expression: Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc fermented into wine, distilled four times in column stills and a fifth time in a copper pot still. Only afterwards is the apple flavour added. The order matters, because the spirit has already been cleaned up by the time the flavour arrives, so the apple settles on top of the grape rather than mixing into it.

The grape base is no accident for this particular variant either. Apple and white grape share a good deal of the same fresh acidity, which is why the apple note reads bright and sharp rather than like confectionery. The vodka is gluten free, as is the rest of the range.

Tasting notes

Nose

Freshly cut green apple with the skin left on. A cooler, almost stalky green note sits behind it and keeps the sweetness in check.

Palate

Crisp and tart from the first sip. Apple fills the front of the tongue while the grape base provides a soft cushion underneath. The sweetness is clear but never sticky.

Finish

Cleansing and short. The acidity hangs around for a moment, then everything dries out neatly and leaves the mouth ready for the next sip.

Specifications

Name: Ciroc Apple
Distillery: Ciroc
Region/Country: Cognac, France
Type: French Vodka
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Five times distilled
EAN no.: 5010103938235
Serving suggestion: Ice cold with fresh lime and ginger beer, or in an Appletini with a dry vermouth.

Flavour profile

Crisp apple · Fresh acidity · Lightly sweet · Clean finish

Did you know?

The apple variant reached the market in 2015 with green apple as its reference point. Ciroc's own recommended serve is called the Pomme Spritz, pomme being French for apple, mixing the vodka with pressed apple juice, lime, pomegranate juice and ginger beer.

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Frequently asked questions about Ciroc Apple

What does Ciroc Apple taste like?

Like a green apple rather than a red one. There is clear acidity and a light bitterness from the skin, with the sweetness sitting underneath instead of on top. The grape base lends a soft texture that stops the apple from reading sharp or artificial.

At what point is the apple flavour added?

After the fifth distillation. The vodka is distilled and cleaned up first, and the natural apple flavour goes in afterwards. That is why the apple presents as a distinct layer sitting on the spirit rather than something cooked into it.

Which drinks does it work best in?

Anything with acidity and bubbles in play. An Appletini turns fresher than the classic version, and a simple build with ginger beer and lime performs better than it has any right to. It also holds up in a sour with apple juice and lemon. Find more ideas among our Vodka brands.

Can you drink it neat?

Yes, provided it is properly cold. At room temperature the apple turns a touch too sweet and forward, while chilled it reads taut and fresh. Serve it in a small glass as an aperitif rather than at the end of a meal.

Why is it bottled at 37.5% rather than 40%?

Because a lower strength lets the fruit come forward. At 40% the alcohol dominates the aroma and makes the apple sharper than intended. 37.5% is also the lower limit in the EU for using the term vodka, so nothing about the category has been given up.

Is it gluten free?

Yes. The base is purely French wine grapes and no wheat, barley or rye enters production. The flavour is added after distillation and does not change that.

How different is it from the unflavoured Ciroc?

Considerably, even though the spirit underneath is identical. The unflavoured bottling is dry, citrus led and built for the Martini family. The apple version is sweeter, fruitier and performs best in long drinks with soda or juice.