Celebrating its tenth anniversary last year, Virtuous Spirits was set up by Swedish taste nerd, chef and visionary Claes Stenmark in 2013. Striving to produce vodkas that could perfectly reflect the unfiltered, full-flavoured best of the Nordic food scene, the five-strong namesake vodka range is made using natural ingredients and a unique process based on the continuous distillation of organic rye.
While many distillers will cut away some of the head and some of the tail and use the so-called heart of the distillate for their final product, Virtuous Vodka goes a step further, only using the very core of the heart of the distillate. This is what they call the heart-of-the-heart.
Not one to follow just for the sake of it, for the flavoured vodkas, Claes uses a natural maceration process, which involves steeping real organic fruits and botanicals in the spirit to release their true flavours.
The Virtuous flavoured vodkas also go against the grain and industry standards that favour clear flavoured vodkas by retaining the colours provided by the raw ingredients. Taking no shortcuts in his mission for fine flavour, the full range is unfiltered to let the raw organic ingredients sing.
The Virtuous portfolio is also gluten-free, vegan and contains no added sugar or artificial ingredients. Any sweetness derives solely from the natural ingredients with which the vodkas are made.
“We’ve long respected Claes and his Virtuous brand so it’s a huge honour to take on the distribution in the UK,” said Love Drinks MD Samantha Burke. “They are everything we look for in partners and thanks to his flavour-first passion, the Virtuous quintet is as delicious as it is stunning.”
Virtuous founder Claes Stenmark added: “Love Drinks epitomises everything we love in a distributor. They’re flavour-focused, supremely passionate, hugely respected in the industry and, most of all, they’re good people. The work they have done with Hernö has been exemplary so we’re excited to start this next chapter with them.”
The full Virtuous Vodka portfolio, which is available now in 70cl bottles through Love Drinks, comprises the Rye expression along with four flavours:
- Virtuous Chili – 38% ABV
Virtuous Chili is made through the gentle maceration of real organic chili peppers. This provides a well-balanced and authentic chilli pepper flavour. Great in a classic Vodkatini or to provide edge to a Bloody Mary.
- Virtuous Ginger – 38% ABV
While flavouring with ginger can be challenging, Claes has perfected a complex process to ensure Virtuous Ginger retains the root’s unique spiciness and taste. Pairing well with fruity citrus notes, Virtuous Ginger is excellent on its own as an aperitif, over ice and as a shot but is versatile enough to be used in a wide range of cocktails.
- Virtuous Raspberry – 38% ABV
Virtuous Raspberry has a striking taste profile thanks to the ripe raspberries used in the maceration process. A special acidity and sweetness from the raspberries perfectly balances out the vodka. Virtuous Raspberry will actually mature over time, developing into a more complex flavour. Virtuous Raspberry is great on its own but is superb for long drinks and cocktails. Try simply poured over ice with lemonade and a squeeze of lime for a sublime summer sipper.
- Virtuous Bitter Lemon – 38% abv
Through the careful method of maceration, the organic lemons release both the sweet and acidic lemon virtues from the yellow zest, and the distinct bitterness from the lemon peel. The result is a completely different take on lemon vodka with a wonderfully sharp yet sweet aroma. Virtuous Bitter Lemon is made with real organic lemons, lending the vodka an unusually natural lemon taste. Superb in all manner of drinks and cocktails, try it with crushed ice and a sweet mixer like lemonade or iced tea.
For more details on Virtuous Vodka, click here.
