Premium vodkas target UK drinkers

A host of vodkas from around the world were on display at Distil this month, all hoping to cash in on the UK growth in premium vodka.

Argentinian drinks producer Natur Andino launched its premium Vorsch at the event, which sits alongside the annual London International Wine Fair in May each year.

Vorsch is described as being the world's first five-times distilled fruit-based vodka, made in Argentina from 100% distilled fermented fruit. The producer was also showcasing a premium Malbec spirit at Distil.

A Siberian vodka called Mamont was also hoping to get a piece of the UK's premium vodka action. The drink is presented in a bottle, which is as "curved as a Siberian mammoth's tusk, inside which is one of Russia's finest vodkas".

Mamont is made from Siberian white winter wheat grown around the distillery. It is distilled five times before being filtered through Siberian rocks. The producer also adds a small proportion of cedar nut spirit — apparently the mammoths enjoyed eating cedar nuts.

And Sputnik Vodka unveiled its redesigned bottle, which aim to better reflect the premium quality of the product.

The vodka comes in unusual flavours of rose, horseradish and basil. "Basil is the most popular flavour in the on-trade in the UK," said marketing manager Kate Panina. "But horseradish is growing in popularity because it is great in a Bloody Mary. And rose goes well in fruity cocktails."

Other vodkas on display included a newly-launched Sacred Spirits Vodka, from Sacred Spirits. The vodka joins the producer's gin, which is made in Ian Hart's microdistillery in Highgate, London.

Meanwhile, other flavours to appear at Distil included Wasabi and honey. Wasabi was the spirit on show from Namida.

And Evan Williams Honey Reserve also made its debut at Distil. The drink is made with extra-aged Bourbon and real honey.