Babicka Wormwood Vodka arrives from the Czech Republic with a genuinely unusual proposition: a vodka infused with wormwood, the same thujone-containing botanical that gives absinthe its mystique. It is a bold move, and one that largely pays off for those willing to approach vodka from a different angle.
On the nose, there is no mistaking the herbal character. Wormwood dominates, accompanied by dried herbs and a faint aniseed note that hints at its absinthe-adjacent origins. The palate follows suit with a bitter-sweet interplay that keeps things interesting — this is not a spirit designed for mindless mixing, but rather one that rewards contemplation.
Production-wise, Babicka uses a clean grain base spirit that has been triple-distilled before the wormwood infusion, which ensures the herbal notes sit atop a sufficiently neutral foundation. The result is a spirit that manages to be both distinctive and drinkable, though it certainly won't please everyone.
Best served chilled and neat, or in a Dry Martini where the herbal notes can play off dry vermouth beautifully. At £34.50, it represents fair value for a genuinely unique proposition in the vodka market.
