Zlatogor Grenade Vodka

Zlatogor has been produced at the Zolotonosha distillery in Ukraine since 2000 and has made its name with bottles cast in unusual shapes, this one a ceramic grenade. The liquid inside is a classic grain vodka filtered through charcoal, a step that draws fusel oils and rougher compounds out of the spirit and is the main reason for its clean character. After filtration it is given a 24 hour resting phase, during which the distillate settles and softens before bottling. Held at 38% in the small 350ml ceramic, it is built as much for the shelf as the glass.

The nose is mild with gentle grain notes. The palate is clean and soft with the same quiet cereal character, leading to a long finish. A charcoal-filtered vodka this restrained is at its best straight and very cold, so keep the grenade in the freezer and pour it neat into a chilled shot glass. The low temperature thickens the texture and tames the spirit, letting that soft grain note come through cleanly, which is the traditional way these eastern European vodkas are drunk.