Merchant's Choice Classic Vodka 70 cl 40%

Some bottles are built for the other side of the bar. Merchant's Choice was put together for bartenders who need an English vodka that does its job and otherwise keeps out of the way of everything else in the shaker.

Expert description

Merchant's Choice Classic Vodka is an English Vodka distilled from British grain and bottled at 40%.

The brand comes from Symposium, an independent British spirits merchant that assembled a range of craft spirits with bar use in mind. Alongside the vodka there is a London Dry Gin in the same range, and the two are meant to stand side by side behind a bar rather than on a collector's shelf.

The vodka itself is distilled from grain in Great Britain and aims at a clean, crisp mouthfeel. There is neither botanical nor added flavouring in it; the whole ambition is that it should carry a cocktail without drawing attention to itself.

It is not empty for all that. A clear citrus note sits at the front, and beneath it a soft vanilla that means it can also be drunk neat if it is cold enough. Pepper arrives only right at the very end and reads more as a sensation than an actual flavour.

Tasting notes

Nose

Pale and clean with obvious citrus peel. A hint of vanilla sits underneath it.

Palate

Crisp and smooth with sharp citrus notes up front. The vanilla comes in halfway and rounds the edges off.

Finish

Short and dry with a discreet press of pepper. No bitterness is left behind.

Specifications

Name: Merchant's Choice Classic Vodka
Producer: Merchant's Choice
Region/Country: England, Great Britain
Type: English Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Distilled from British grain
EAN no.: 5021692001149
Serving suggestion: Ice cold in a small glass, or as the base of a Vodka Collins or a Cosmopolitan.

Flavour profile

Clean · Crisp · Citrus-led · Soft vanilla

Did you know?

Vodka is one of the most tightly defined spirit types in law: the distillate has to be purified to at least 96% alcohol before it is diluted back down. That is why the difference between two vodkas so often lies in the water and the filtration rather than in the raw material.

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Frequently asked questions about Merchant's Choice Classic Vodka

What is it made from?

Grain grown in Great Britain. Grain based vodka gives the light, crisp character the brand is after, where potato would have added body and molasses more sweetness. No sugar, flavouring or botanical is added.

Is it entirely neutral, or can you taste something?

There is more in it than the word Classic suggests. Citrus peel sits clearly at the front, and a soft vanilla follows halfway before the pepper closes things down. Neutral enough for a cocktail, but not so stripped that it turns dull served neat.

Which cocktails work best?

The classic, tart ones. A Vodka Collins, a Cosmopolitan or a Moscow Mule make use of the citrus, and in an Espresso Martini the vanilla becomes an asset. Creamy drinks are also an option, since it never punches through with harshness.

Who is behind the brand?

Symposium, an independent British spirits merchant. They assembled the range as an alternative to the big international names, aimed squarely at the bar trade, and chose to keep both packaging and expression sober rather than building a story around the bottle.

Can it be used in cooking?

Yes, and that is genuinely one of its best uses. Vodka pulls aroma compounds out of tomato and chilli that neither water nor fat can reach, and it is used classically in a penne alla vodka. The alcohol evaporates during cooking and leaves the aroma behind.

How long does an opened bottle keep?

Several years if the closure seals tightly. Vodka is far too strong to spoil, but the citrus is the first thing to fade once air gets into the bottle. If it is destined for drinks, you will barely notice.

What characterises English Vodka?

Grain and a dry, straightforward style. England has gained a great many new distilleries over recent decades, and they typically work with barley, wheat or oats from their own region and land drier than the Eastern European houses. See the other Vodka brands if you want to compare countries.