A griffin sits in the coat of arms of Riga, half lion and half eagle, and it has followed the brand onto the label. Behind it stands a distillery that has worked in the city since 1900 and still runs its vodka through both charcoal and silver before it reaches the bottle.
Expert description
Riga Black Vodka is a Latvian Vodka from Latvijas Balzams in Riga, distilled from wheat and rye and bottled at 40%.
Latvijas Balzams dates back to 1900 and today belongs to Amber Beverage Group. The house is best known for Riga Black Balsam, but the vodka is made at the same address, and the two products share both a name and the griffin on the label.
The spirit comes from selected wheat and rye, run up to five times through copper stills. Artesian spring water is then added, meaning water from a sealed aquifer that pushes itself up under its own pressure. The filtration is the pride of the house: seven stages, with both activated black charcoal and silver ions in play.
The rye is the reason it does not simply turn soft. The wheat lays down a round, creamy texture while the rye sends spice into the finish. Aniseed and pepper hold on after the sweetness lets go, and that combination is what makes the bottle useful for more than disappearing into juice.
Tasting notes
Nose
Clean and cool with a light dark rye bread note. A trace of aniseed sits in the background.
Palate
Creamy and soft on the attack, after which the rye spice takes over. Aniseed, white pepper and a dry grain note share the middle between them.
Finish
Medium and spiced. The pepper hangs on and delivers a warmth more obvious than on most pure wheat vodkas.
Specifications
Name: Riga Black Vodka
Producer: Latvijas Balzams
Region/Country: Riga, Latvia
Type: Latvian Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Copper stills, seven stage filtration with black charcoal and silver
EAN no.: 4750021201349
Serving suggestion: Ice cold in a small glass, or in a Bloody Mary where the rye pepper meets the spices.
Flavour profile
Creamy · Spiced · Aniseed and pepper · Clean close
Did you know?
The same house makes Riga Black Balsam, a herbal bitter with 24 ingredients and a recipe traced back to 1752. Its black ceramic bottle is still the most recognisable in Latvia, and the rest of the Riga Black family is named after it.
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