Real Vodka using real water with taste- What a concept these days.
Notes: Eldvatn (translation- “Fire Water”) is from the Faroe Islands, which from all accounts is a very beautiful place, but where sheep outnumber people by at least two to one. The Faroe Islands are north of Scotland (in a straight line between Iceland and Denmark). Using water from deep fed spring where the water has been filtered through the basalt moutains and believed to have healing powers. If nothing else water is the bulk of a vodka and using a good mineral laden water can make a huge difference in taste,mouthfeel and complexity from the start. Eldvatn uses a single grain (strain/variety) wheat and triple distillation for their vodka. While it is yet to find an importer for the United States, it is quite reasonable overseas.
Appearance: Crystal clear, no sediment whatsoever. On swirling, it leaves a thin clear coat on the inside of the glass with scalloped edges forming, some legs, and a fair amount of droplets. Wonderful purity and body.
First Impression: Alcohol and wheat in a heavy,slightly sweet way, tickling and teasing slightly sweet smell to it. Nicely done distillation.
Taste: Nice oily thick entry with slightly sweet taste and a tingle in the middle the tongue with a very restrained warm finish. The oily body is not too heavy – this vodka came by its body honestly-not doped up with sugar, glycerin, or vanilla like a lot of others. A very clean vodka with a great body to it! The mineral like water also adds some nice stony mineral notes, adding gravity depth and complexity to the vodka. Touches of vanilla cream and soda minerals, with a smooth and lingering finish.
Drinks: Chilling down increases the thickness and and enhances the sweetness (but not overly so) and makes it dangerously easy to drink straight. Edvatn is very flavorful and the water adds weight and fullness to a cocktail that you will not see with many other vodkas and so we highly recommend it for such pursuits.The martini was wonderful and the weight and body of the vodka helps it stand up to vermouth of olive brine easily.
NOTE: Use Noilly Prat and keep the vermouth refrigerated after opening for the best taste.
Bottle: Simple clear glass bottle with slightly bulbous neck rounded shoulders. Simple paper label with graphic of islands as a dragon. Dark blue screw cap closure completes the package.
Final Thoughts: A excellent vodka with a good mineral / hard water quality to it that gives it depth,complexity and mouth feel. Not some tasteless rain water or reverse osmosis sissy water cutting a soulless grain alcohol. Real Vodka using real water with taste- What a concept these days.
Website: http://www.eldvatn.fo
Nice if minimalist website. Could use more information.