Eristoff Premium French Vodka 70 cl 37,5%

In 1806 a Georgian prince sat in the Caucasus refining a recipe for grain spirit. The Eristoff family had land, titles and a wolf's head on the coat of arms, and the name travelled onwards with the recipe across two centuries. The wolf still stands on the bottle today, but the spirit is made in France.

Expert description

Eristoff is a French Vodka made from 100% grain, triple distilled and charcoal filtered, bottled at 37.5%.

The story begins in Georgia, where Prince Nikolai Eristoff put the recipe in place. Production itself now sits in France, from where the vodka is distributed across the European market, and the brand belongs to Bacardi. It is one of those vodkas that grew large without ever making a fuss about itself.

Production runs strictly by the book. The grain has to carry the right moisture content before fermentation, distillation happens in three stages with demineralised water for dilution, and the spirit finally passes through charcoal. That filtration removes the last traces of harshness and heavier alcohols, and it is what gives Eristoff the smooth feel it is known for.

The result is neutral in the literal sense. There is no prominent grain character, no sweetness and no sharp edge, which is exactly the intention. A vodka like this is not meant to take up room in a drink but to make room. Alongside the original sits a range of flavoured versions, all built on the same clean base.

Tasting notes

Nose

Nearly silent. A distant grain note and something close to wet stone, but no perfume and no sweetness.

Palate

Light and smooth with a hint of sweetness on the attack. The grain sits well back, and the alcohol feels milder than 37.5% usually does.

Finish

Short and clean with a small streak of pepper at the end. Nothing lingers, and that is the whole point.

Specifications

Name: Eristoff
Producer: Eristoff
Region/Country: France
Type: French Vodka
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Triple distilled from 100% grain, charcoal filtered
Serving suggestion: On the rocks with a wedge of lime, in a Vodka Tonic or as the base of a Moscow Mule.

Flavour profile

Neutral · Smooth · Light · Dry

Did you know?

Charcoal filtration of spirits became widespread in Russia in the 1700s, long before anyone could explain the chemistry behind it. All that was known was that charcoal made the spirit milder. The principle is the same as pouring water through a filter jug in your kitchen today.

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Frequently asked questions about Eristoff

What does triple distilled mean in practice?

That the distillate runs through the plant three times, with fresh heads and tails cut away each time. Every pass removes more of the heavier alcohols, which are the ones responsible for headaches and harshness. Three passes are enough to reach a clean base without stripping everything.

Why is it filtered through charcoal?

Because charcoal has an enormous surface area relative to its size and binds the molecules that cause bitterness and sharp aromas. It is an old Russian technique and still the most effective way to soften a vodka without adding anything to it.

Why is it French when the story is Georgian?

Because the recipe and the name travelled while production moved. Prince Nikolai Eristoff assembled the recipe in the Caucasus in 1806, but today the vodka is produced in France for the European market. It is not unusual for old spirits names to be made somewhere completely different from where they were born.

Can you taste that demineralised water is used?

Indirectly, yes. Water without minerals contributes nothing to the flavour, and that is precisely the intention: the end result should be as neutral as possible. Vodkas built on mineral rich spring water often carry a faintly saline or chalky tone, and that is absent here.

What is the difference between Eristoff and the coloured versions?

The base is the same, but the coloured versions have flavour added, among them sloe, watermelon and passionfruit. The original has nothing added, which makes it the one to reach for when the vodka is going into something that already has flavour of its own.

Is 37.5% too little for a cocktail?

No, but it changes the recipe slightly. At 37.5% you get a little less structure than at 40%, so it can pay to increase the measure or reduce the ice in a shaken drink. In a simple highball with tonic or ginger beer the difference is barely noticeable.

Who owns Eristoff today?

Bacardi, which holds the brand alongside Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire among others. The wolf head from the bottle is still the same one, and it gets plenty of use in the marketing. To see other houses, browse our Vodka brands.