Ciroc's flavoured range continues to expand, and the Apple expression is one of their more successful additions. The quintuple-distilled grape base provides a smooth, creamy foundation that apple flavour sits upon very comfortably, and the overall effect is crisp, juicy and refreshing.
The nose is immediately appetising — crisp green apple, fresh and clean, with a touch of the grape-derived sweetness that characterises all Ciroc products. There is a naturalness to the apple character that is not always present in flavoured vodkas, suggesting careful sourcing and integration of the flavouring.
On the palate, bright apple flavour meets the trademark Ciroc creaminess for a combination that is smooth, juicy and very easy to drink. At 37.5% ABV, this is designed for mixing rather than neat sipping, and it excels in that role. Ciroc recommend their Big Apple serve — mixing with cranberry juice and a lime garnish — and it is a genuinely enjoyable drink.
This is a polished, well-made flavoured vodka that does exactly what it sets out to do. Not a spirit for contemplation, perhaps, but an excellent cocktail ingredient and a reliable crowd-pleaser.
