Royal Dragon Imperial Rye Vodka

Product of: Russia

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Royal Dragon is distilled five times in a century old copper pot still from organically grown winter harvest rye. The opulent/bling bottle has a hand-blown crystal glass dragon inside and edible 23 carat gold leaf flakes from Switzerland which sink to the bottom of the bottle until shaken.

We are told no additives are used but the brand's UK importers are being tight-lipped as to which distillery actually produces the spirit.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 11/04/2014

Appearance:

Crystal clear with gold flakes which sink to sit in the bottom of the bottle/glass until agitated.

Aroma:

On the previous sample bottle of Royal Dragon we were sent in March 2013 we found off notes reminiscent of new car tyre rubber. Thankfully it would appear that that was a rogue bottle as this new sample has a more appealing nose with white pepper, charcoal and faint notes reminiscent of aniseed and hairspray (and we don't mean to be disparaging).

Taste:

Silky mouthfeel but with fiery white and black pepper corn spice on an otherwise fairly neutral palate.

Aftertaste:

Long lingering cracked black pepper spicy heat. We sampled the previous sample next to this new sample and the two vodkas are very different. The first sample was softer on the palate but with notes we found reminiscent of new car tyre while peppery spice dominates this recent sample. Interestingly the natural cork stopper on the first sample has been replaced by a synthetic stopper. Was this the issue?