Heritage & Distillery
Blavod's claim to fame is its colour — an inky black achieved through the addition of catechu, a tannin-rich herb from South-East Asia that imparts its dark pigment without, according to the brand, significantly altering the vodka's flavour profile. Whether this constitutes a genuine innovation or merely a visual gimmick is a question that has divided opinion since the brand's launch, and the answer depends largely on whether one regards vodka's traditional colourlessness as a convention to be respected or a limitation to be transcended.
The spirit itself is triple distilled from grain — a perfectly competent production method that, at 37.5% ABV, places Blavod at the lower end of the strength spectrum for premium vodka.
Production & Tasting
On the nose, Blavod is clean and largely neutral, with soft grain aromas and a very subtle herbal undertone that may or may not be attributable to the catechu. It is not a dramatically aromatic vodka, and the black colour — while striking in the glass — does not translate into any corresponding boldness of flavour on the nose.
The palate is smooth and straightforward, with gentle grain sweetness and a texture that the brand claims is enhanced by the smoothing properties of catechu. Whether this represents a genuine flavour contribution or a placebo effect born of expectation is difficult to determine definitively, but the overall drinking experience is pleasant if unremarkable. The finish is short to medium, clean, and slightly herbal.
Verdict
Blavod is a vodka whose primary appeal is visual — the black colour is striking and makes for dramatic cocktails (a Black Martini is genuinely impressive to look at), and as a conversation starter at a party it has few equals. The liquid itself is competent but unremarkable, and at £25.25 one is paying a premium for the colour rather than for exceptional quality. An entertaining novelty backed by an adequate spirit.
