U’Luvka Vodka

U'Luvka comes from Poland and takes its name from the little wooden cups, uluwka, that were traditionally used to serve vodka. The spirit is triple distilled and then carbon filtered, the charcoal pulling out heavier oils and leaving a notably soft, even character, and that combination of process and polish is what earned the brand its early competition gold. The flowing, sculptural bottle is part of the identity, but the liquid is the point: a clean, balanced grain vodka with a little more elegance than its price band usually offers.

The nose is fine and pure, with cereal notes and a flick of white pepper. The palate is soft and velvety, with sweet grain, a touch of citrus and a pleasant stony minerality, before a long, clean and refreshing finish with gentle warmth. That softness and faint citrus make it a good base for a Vodka Sour: shake it with fresh lemon juice, a little sugar syrup and a touch of egg white for body, so the bright acidity sits against the vodka's smooth grain and the texture turns silky.