Crystal Head Vodka Aurora (Gift Box)

Crystal Head built its reputation on additive-free vodka in a distinctive skull bottle, and the Aurora edition wraps that in a metallic finish that nods to the Aurora Borealis. The base is English wheat, which gives the soft, rounded body, cut with pure Canadian glacier water. What sets it apart is the processing: five distillations and seven filtrations, three of those passes through semi-precious Herkimer diamond crystals. The aim of all that filtering is a clean spirit without the glycerine or citrus oils some brands add, so the 40% liquid stands on the grain and water alone.

The nose is fresh and lightly spicy, with black pepper and citrus. The palate is silky and balanced, sweetish cereal with subtle floral notes and a fine pepper edge, finishing long, smooth and pleasantly dry with a touch of spice. Clean and unadorned, it makes a fine Vodka Martini: stir 60ml with a dash of dry vermouth over ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with a lemon twist expressed over the surface, letting the citrus oils meet the vodka's own pepper and floral notes.