Discover vodka made and crafted in Norfolk by independent distillers and spirit producers across the county – from clean, classic vodkas to contemporary flavoured expressions.
Vodka has a reputation for being the quietest of the major spirits: clean, neutral and designed primarily for mixing. But explore bottles from smaller independent producers and you'll discover considerably more variation than that description suggests.
Different raw materials, distillation methods, filtration and the choices made by the distiller can all influence what eventually reaches the glass.
What is vodka made from?
Vodka is produced by fermenting and distilling an agricultural ingredient containing sugar or starch.
Grains such as wheat, barley and rye are commonly used, but vodka can also be produced from potatoes and other agricultural raw materials.
The resulting spirit is distilled to a high strength before being reduced with water to its final bottling strength.
The precise ingredients and production methods vary between producers – which is one reason different vodkas don't necessarily taste identical.
Does all vodka taste the same?
No.
Vodka is generally intended to have a cleaner and more neutral character than spirits such as whisky, rum or gin, but neutral doesn't have to mean completely flavourless.
The base ingredient can contribute subtle differences in character and texture, while distillation, filtration and the water used to reduce the spirit can also influence the finished vodka.
Some are particularly clean and crisp; others have a softer, rounder or creamier mouthfeel.
It's often when you taste vodka neat rather than hiding it beneath a strongly flavoured mixer that those differences become more apparent.
What makes a craft vodka different?
There isn't one universally useful definition of “craft vodka”, so we'd rather concentrate on who made it and how it was produced.
Independent producers can make individual decisions about their base spirit, distillation, filtration and finishing rather than producing vodka solely for consistency on a huge scale.
That gives smaller distillers an opportunity to create a vodka with an identifiable character of its own.
For us, that's considerably more interesting than simply putting the word “craft” on the bottle.
What is flavoured vodka?
Flavoured vodka takes a vodka base and introduces additional flavours from fruit, botanicals, spices or other ingredients.
The possibilities are enormous.
Some retain the clean character of vodka with a relatively subtle additional flavour; others deliberately make fruit or another ingredient the dominant part of the experience.
They're particularly useful for cocktails and mixed drinks where you want to introduce flavour without necessarily using a separate liqueur or syrup.
What's the difference between Vodka and Gin?
They're much more closely related than they might initially appear.
Both begin with a distilled spirit, but gin must have juniper as its defining botanical flavour.
Vodka generally puts much greater emphasis on purity and the character of the underlying spirit itself, without juniper or another botanical having to dominate.
That's why gin might immediately announce citrus, juniper, herbs and spices, while the differences between two unflavoured vodkas can be much subtler.
How should I drink Norfolk Vodka?
A good vodka can be enjoyed neat, chilled or over ice, particularly if you want to appreciate the differences between individual spirits.
Its clean character also makes vodka one of the most versatile cocktail ingredients.
From a Vodka Martini or Bloody Mary to an Espresso Martini or Moscow Mule, it provides a base that allows other ingredients to shine while still contributing alcohol, texture and structure.
Flavoured Norfolk vodkas can be even simpler – sometimes ice and an appropriate mixer are all that's needed.
Vodka made and crafted in Norfolk
Our Norfolk Vodka collection brings together spirits from independent producers around the county, from classic unflavoured vodka to more contemporary flavoured expressions.
The precise ingredients and production methods differ between producers, so take a look at the individual bottles to discover what makes each one distinctive.
Whether you're looking for a Norfolk-made spirit for cocktails, something to drink simply over ice or a locally produced gift, explore our current selection of Norfolk vodkas below.
