Finlandia Botanical Wildberry & Rose

I've kept this on my shelf so long, I can't recall if I acquired it this year or last. My partner easily falls for marketing, so when she ventures near the vodka area, she'll grab something, even though neither of us consume vodka. Consequently, she selected this very low proof, probably overly sweet flavored spirit, swayed by the advertising, yet she hasn't touched any of it. So, I thought, today's already going poorly, let's embrace it by sampling this after work as the weekend begins. (A side note: it's truly a remarkable anthropological observation of how inherently foolish and self-absorbed drivers are, but it's fascinating how that foolishness intensifies during the final months of each year.) Hopefully, the base barley provides that signature European dry, smooth, subtle sweetness, and the added flavors aren't too dominant. The appearance is attractive, but I desire a deeper, darker shade, as this looks quite dilute given the pale pinkish tint. The aroma surprisingly focuses well on the foundational spirit, offering a hint of breadiness or even a subtle pretzel note. The berry taste is present, both tart and sweet, with the tartness slightly prevailing. The rose petal is also noticeable and effectively conveys a floral aspect, but it's overshadowed by the berry's sourness. The texture, as anticipated, drinks like water, but concludes with plain vodka characteristics, very nondescript overall. It's in the mid-palate, the tasting's center, that the added flavors emerge, with a delicate floral rose petal tasted first, followed by a general red berry blend that's mildly sweet, but thankfully less tart. As mentioned, the finish is neutral and dry, offering little to discern the base spirit's grain, if one were unaware. The overall flavor is quite pleasant, and if you intend to mix this (which I assume most buyers do), I'd opt for less assertive mixers, as the proof and body of this vodka are both far too weak to contend with anything possessing bold flavor bases or profiles. As the bottle indicates, tonic or club soda are suitable choices, with a splash of fresh citrus being a positive addition. While the label claims no added sweeteners, I would never accept that this is free of sugar or other potent dehydrators, considering the low proof and introduced flavors; thus, although the low alcohol content makes it more accessible, I'd remain cautious.

An excellent buy for the price. Combine 5cl with 15cl of tonic water and add one-eighth of a lime for a fantastic G&T substitute.