Effen Vodka (75cl, 40%)

A wheat vodka made by Hooghoudt Distillers in Groningen, in the northern Netherlands, a family distillery established in 1888 and now part of Suntory Global Spirits. The wheat spirit is made by continuous column distillation at low temperatures, then filtered and blended with pure spring water from the Groningen reservoir, and bottled at 40% ABV. Tasting descriptions find a clean, soft, slightly sweet vodka. One notes creamed wheat, toasted vanilla and hints of dulce de leche on the nose, with a rich palate and smooth finish. Others find a neutral, mineral nose and a very clean palate with cracked black pepper spirit spice, or delicate citrus, sweet grain and subtle vanilla. It is designed as a base for cocktails such as a martini, vodka soda, Moscow mule, Bloody Mary or cosmopolitan, and is also pleasant neat and chilled.