Heritage & Distillery
VRSD is a relatively recent entrant to the British craft vodka market, but the No.3 expression suggests a producer with a clear understanding of what it wants to achieve. Using 100% British wheat as its base material, the distillery has produced a vodka that balances the clean neutrality demanded by the cocktail market with sufficient character to merit consideration as a sipping spirit — a balance that many producers attempt and few achieve.
Production
The vodka is distilled three times from British wheat, a grain whose soft, creamy character provides a more approachable base than the peppery rye favoured by Polish and Scandinavian producers. Charcoal filtration removes impurities while preserving the subtle mineral character that distinguishes this expression from more aggressively filtered competitors. Bottled at 40% ABV, the spirit has sufficient weight to stand up in cocktails without overwhelming more delicate ingredients.
Tasting Notes
The nose is clean and bright — soft wheat, mineral chalk, and a faint citrus note that adds a touch of lift. On the palate, the vodka is creamy and versatile with a subtle mineral character that provides genuine interest, gentle cereal sweetness, and white pepper spice that builds gently in the mid-palate. The balance is well-judged, and the spirit is approachable without being bland. The finish is medium in length, clean and mineral with a soft peppery warmth.
The Serve
VRSD No.3 is a natural cocktail vodka — its clean, mineral character makes it an excellent base for a classic Martini or a Gimlet, where it provides structure without competing with the other ingredients. Served neat over ice, it reveals enough character to maintain interest across several sips.
Verdict
A well-made British wheat vodka that achieves its stated aim of being both clean and interesting. The mineral character adds a point of differentiation in a crowded market, and the overall quality justifies the price. A solid, if unspectacular, addition to the craft vodka landscape.
