X Muse Scottish Barley Vodka

Product of: United Kingdom

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Pronounced "Tenth Muse" this vodka is a blend of two different vodkas, both distilled from fermented heritage barley strains: Plumage Archer and Marris Otter. The two barleys are distilled separately and produce two distinctly different vodkas with more Plumage Archer vodka used in the final blend.

This vodka's spiritual home is Scotland's Bonnington Estate, home to Jupiter Artkland and the aquifer that is the source for the water used to make X Muse. The bottle shape was inspired by the estate's Cells of Life landform designed by Charles Jencks. And, also on display at the estate, Ian Hamilton Finlay's 2008 Xth Muse was the inspiration for this vodka's name.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 27/11/2021

Appearance:

Crystal clear.

Aroma:

Eathy baked crispy potato skin, pear drops, and green apple peel.

Taste:

Fruity entry with baked apple, pear drops, and cider, then baked potato skin and assertive cracked black pepper spice.

Aftertaste:

Baked potato skin, pear drops, and cereal.

Overall:

Anyone misguided soul that believes vodka is tasteless should try this most characterful barley vodka. If it had been presented to me without my knowing the base ingredient I'd have guessed potato rather than barley. I'd also not believe it to be distilled to 96% alc./vol purity as is required for a "vodka". X Muse is expressive of its raw ingredients but has a pronounced peppery spice. It's fantastic in a 5:1 stirred Dry Martini (forgo orange bitters and garnish with an olive rather than a twist).