Sipsmith Barley Vodka

This is Sipsmith's Sipping Vodka — the London distillery's rare step beyond gin, made to be drunk slowly rather than shot cold. It's distilled from English grain on Sipsmith's copper pot still and bottled unfiltered, which is deliberate: the fine filtering that strips most vodka of character is exactly what Sipsmith leaves out.

Sipsmith opened in West London in 2009 and was the first copper pot distillery to run in the capital in almost two centuries. The vodka comes off the same small still as the gin, made only from the heart of the run.

Being unfiltered, it actually tastes of something. The nose is soft and sweet — vanilla with a biscuity, grainy edge. The palate is creamy and rounded, gently sweet, with a warm brightness and no burn. The finish is clean and lightly vanilla'd. At 40% it's smooth enough to sip neat over ice, and it makes a superb Vesper or a clean, characterful martini.

Pour it when you want a vodka with some personality — over ice after dinner, or as the backbone of a proper vodka martini.

How to Serve

Straight from the freezer into a chilled glass, or over a single big cube. In cocktails it's built for a Vesper or a crisp vodka martini with a lemon twist.

Where to Drink It

Dukes Bar, St James's — for a vodka martini done properly. American Bar at The Savoy — faultless classics. Bar Lotus — relaxed enough for a slow, neat pour.

Food Pairings

Made for the Russian table — blinis with smoked salmon, or a spoonful of caviar if the night calls for it.