Griffin Vault Vodka England 70 cl 40,6%

A griffin is assembled from the two animals the medieval world feared most: the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. It was placed on coats of arms and above vaults to guard whatever lay behind. Hence the name on this bottle.

Expert description

Griffin Vault Vodka is an English Vodka from Red Griffin, filtered through English oak charcoal and bottled at 40.6%.

The filtration is what the bottle rests on. Activated charcoal is used in vodka production everywhere, but the type of wood matters to the result, and here English oak has been used. Oak charcoal is denser and harder than birch, for example, and it polishes the distillate more thoroughly.

The result is a very clean vodka with a distinctly soft mouthfeel, where the edges are gone without anything having been added. The 40.6% sits a shade above the norm, and those extra tenths register as a little more body when it is drunk neat.

The style is the classic neutral one: no botanicals, no sweetening, no fruit aroma. That makes it a working bottle behind the bar, where the other ingredients need room and where you do not want the vodka setting the agenda.

Tasting notes

Nose

Clean and discreet. A lightly honeyed grain note with a suggestion of dried lemon peel.

Palate

Soft and rounded. The sweetness sits in the middle, and an earthy touch of cassia and white pepper comes through towards the end.

Finish

Short and tidy. The warmth lifts quickly and leaves a dry, almost chalky trace behind.

Specifications

Name: Griffin Vault Vodka
Producer: Red Griffin
Region/Country: England
Type: English Vodka
ABV: 40.6%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Filtered through English oak charcoal
EAN no.: 5021692118120
Serving suggestion: Ice cold from the freezer in a small glass, or as the base of a Moscow Mule or Vodka Tonic.

Flavour profile

Clean · Soft · Lightly honeyed · Neutral

Did you know?

The word vault in the name means both an arched ceiling and a strongroom, and both senses suit the griffin. Medieval imagery used the creature as a guardian of treasure and tombs, precisely because it combined the strongest of all land animals with the sharpest of all birds.

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Frequently asked questions about Griffin Vault Vodka

What is a griffin?

A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the winged head of an eagle. It comes from the ancient Near East and later became a frequent motif in European heraldry, standing for strength and vigilance. That is why it sits on the label.

What does filtering through English oak do?

It means the distillate is led through charcoal burned from oak rather than the more common birch. Oak is denser in structure, and the filtration removes more of the harsh compounds. The result is a very soft and clean vodka.

Why is it bottled at 40.6% and not 40%?

Those extra tenths are a deliberate choice, not an accident. Slightly higher strength gives a touch more body in the mouth and holds the aromas together better, without making the bottle hard to drink neat.

Does it taste of oak?

No. Charcoal filters, it does not add, and there is no cask maturation involved. The vodka is clear in colour and carries none of the vanilla and caramel notes you know from a cask.

Can it be drunk neat?

Yes, and it takes being chilled right down. Ice cold from the freezer it turns tight and almost syrupy in texture, which suits the neutral style well. At slightly higher temperature the light grain sweetness comes through more clearly.

What is it best for behind the bar?

Drinks where the other ingredients should lead. A Moscow Mule, a Vodka Tonic, a Sea Breeze or a Bloody Mary all work, precisely because the vodka does not lay its own character on top. It is a base, not a lead role.

What separates a neutral vodka from one with character?

The degree of filtration and the choice of raw material. A vodka like this one is filtered hard to end up clean, where unfiltered vodkas keep the grain sweetness and texture. To compare the two directions, browse our Vodka brands.