Black Death Vodka

Black Death Vodka began in Iceland in the 1980s and became an international cult name on the strength of its skull branding and provocative image, now bottled by Burlington Bottling. Underneath the design it is a straightforward grain vodka, made from grain and pure water, distilled and filtered to strip the rougher congeners and leave a smooth, clear spirit. Grain keeps the character neutral and mild with a faint sweet edge, and at 37.5% it drinks soft rather than hot. The contrast between the rebellious look and the gentle liquid is the whole joke.

The nose is light cereal with a hint of citrus and subtle spice, the palate is soft and smooth with sweet grain, a touch of pepper and a creamy texture, and the finish is clean, mild and dry. A vodka with a bit of theatre to it deserves a serve with the same energy, so build a Moscow Mule: pour it over plenty of ice in a copper mug, add fresh lime and top with spicy ginger beer. The mild spirit lets the ginger and lime do the work, and the skull-marked bottle earns its place on the bar while it pours.