Taste test

THIS WEEK:

Valt

A new vodka made

with Scotch malt

John Hudson, London

The design of this bottle really has the wow factor. It would stand out on a pub's shelf and looks completely different to anything I've seen in a bar before. It creates the impression that the drink is going to be a cut above other vodkas too, although probably a lot more expensive as a result.

The idea of it being from Scotland is an unusual point of difference, as most vodkas seem to be Russian.

The drink itself tastes a bit sweet, which I wasn't expecting so you could probably have it on its own with ice. But I tried it mixed with tonic and a slice of lime, which is the way I'd normally have vodka.

It was a nice drink, although it helped that I used a good-quality bottle of tonic rather than some of the stuff you get served in a pub, which would have totally masked the taste.

On the back of the bottle there was a lot of information about how it has been made, which I found quite interesting. The fact that it's apparently made with some of the same ingredients used in malt whisky would no doubt appeal to Scotch fans.

I don't really like whisky, but using its heritage to market a vodka is definitely a clever idea. The only thing that would stop me buying this is the price, because it's bound to be expensive in a pub. But anywhere that's big on whiskies would no doubt do well with it.

Score 16/20