Esmé Vodka

Nose: Soft grain, lavender, coriander, white pepper, floral soap, mint, lemon-lime soda, earthy cocoa, with a mild to moderate ethanol burn. Palate: Soft grain, lemon-lime soda, lavender, rose, powdered sugar, mint, ginger, vanilla, white pepper, with a moderate alcohol bite. It finishes quickly with floral, citrus juice, mint, and pepper flavors. Besides having a slightly soapy quality, the nose is quite pleasant. It resembles a diluted modern gin more than a vodka. The lemon-lime, mint, and cocoa notes work well together. The palate starts mostly sweet, with floral and citrus flavors developing. The mouthfeel is quite thin and the finish is very fast, especially considering the fullness of the flavors. Overall, this is alright. It doesn't really drink like a traditional vodka. I suspect it's wheat-based due to the soft graininess, but I can't find official confirmation. I'd classify it similarly to Ciroc, though it's not as good. It's an average sipper, but likely not neutral enough for a house vodka. I consider it a step below Jim Beam Original, but I wouldn't be entirely disappointed to drink it neat again.

The aroma is surprisingly floral! Roses, but also some citrusy floral notes like lemon blossoms. Quite intriguing and appealing! The palate echoes this nose with a strong, though not overwhelming, floral hit of rose alongside lemon and orange blossoms. Pepper emerges. This is harsher than I'd prefer, but there's some nice pepper to accompany it. The floral notes are genuinely authentic rather than artificial – quite an achievement! The viscosity is quite good, maintaining a spring water feel without seeming thin. It is perhaps slightly too sweet though. To be honest: this is extremely floral for a vodka and also quite sweet. It's enjoyable to sip, but very specific and might not appeal to many seeking a more traditional vodka. I am enjoying it, but it feels a bit like a novelty. But a tasty one. Do I still prefer Chopin Wheat? Absolutely. Would I be happy sipping this? Absolutely. I'd rate this similarly to Tobaritch, so in the 14 to 15 range. It's not highly complex, but it's quite tasty. The harshness is a bit pronounced, though. I think I'll stick with a 14.

Overall assessment: 15/23 Yes, this is very floral. It's not particularly thick or smooth; in fact, it's a little sharp. I like it, but it's challenging to determine its best use. Ocean offers a cleaner, smoother, more neutral profile while retaining some sweetness. This isn't excessively harsh, though. It's less smooth and robust than Kirkland French vodka, but it lacks that same bitterness. I'd place this, Kirkland French, and Belvedere on a similar level, around 14 or 15. I'll give it a 15.

Wow, that floral flavor is incredible, yet it's so delicious and this vodka is truly smooth and clean! It lacks the sulfur notes found in Esmé Black Shield. This is an excellent spirit for sipping. While this vodka is certainly expensive and unconventional, it is tasty and enjoyable to drink neat. For $20, it's easy to acquire something nowhere near this good. I'm ranking this alongside Chopin Wheat and Ocean Organic as one of the genuinely outstanding vodkas.