Heritage & Distillery
The Southwestern Distillery in Cornwall has built a formidable reputation through its Tarquin's gin range, and Connie Glaze represents the distillery's foray into vodka — a clean wheat spirit distinguished by an unusual filtration method. Rather than the charcoal filtration employed by the vast majority of vodka producers, Connie Glaze is filtered through purified sand prior to bottling, a process that the distillery claims contributes a distinctive smoothness and mineral quality to the finished spirit.
Production
The vodka is distilled from wheat in the Southwestern Distillery's copper pot stills — the same equipment used for its acclaimed gins — before being filtered through purified sand. Sand filtration is unusual in spirits production, though it has a long history in water purification, and the process removes impurities through physical trapping rather than the chemical absorption mechanism employed by charcoal. The result is a spirit with a clean, crisp character and a subtle mineral quality that may be attributable to the filtration medium.
Tasting Notes
The nose is fresh and clean — soft wheat, a subtle mineral quality, and delicate white pepper. On the palate, the vodka is smooth and crisp with gentle cereal sweetness, clean minerality, and a refreshing quality that makes it immediately drinkable. The sand filtration contributes a subtle textural smoothness that is difficult to attribute definitively but feels genuine. The finish is short to medium, clean and crisp with gentle warmth and a mineral close.
The Serve
Connie Glaze's clean, crisp character makes it an excellent Vodka & Tonic — the mineral quality harmonises well with good tonic water. It also performs well in a Gimlet or a Collins, where its refreshing quality complements the citrus elements.
Verdict
Connie Glaze is a well-made Cornish wheat vodka whose sand filtration provides a genuine point of difference. It lacks the depth and complexity of premium competitors, but its clean, crisp character and fair price make it an appealing everyday vodka with an interesting story to tell.
