Heritage & Distillery
Portobello Road Distillery, situated in the heart of London's Notting Hill, has earned its reputation as one of the capital's more adventurous small-batch producers — a distillery whose willingness to experiment with unusual ingredients and techniques has produced a portfolio of considerable range and ambition. The distillery's potato vodka, which serves as the base for this coffee expression, represents a deliberate departure from the wheat-based orthodoxy that dominates British vodka production, and the richer, more textured spirit that results provides an ideal canvas for the bold flavours of Colombian coffee.
Production
The process is elegantly simple in conception and demanding in execution: high-quality Colombian coffee beans are toasted and then steeped in Portobello Road's British potato vodka for a full 24 hours, after which the spirit is redistilled with the beans still present in the still. This dual-extraction method — maceration followed by vapour infusion — captures both the deep, oily richness of cold-brewed coffee and the brighter, more volatile aromatics that are released during distillation. The result is a coffee vodka of remarkable complexity and depth.
Tasting Notes
The nose is immediately captivating — rich dark roast coffee dominates, accompanied by bitter chocolate and toasted hazelnut, all underscored by the earthy warmth of the potato base spirit. On the palate, the vodka is lusciously creamy with genuine espresso intensity, dark chocolate ganache notes, and a subtle caramel sweetness that balances the bitterness without compromising it. The body is excellent — substantial without being syrupy. The finish is long and warming, with roasted coffee grounds and cocoa lingering before a clean, bitter-sweet fade.
The Serve
This vodka was practically designed for an Espresso Martini — and indeed, it simplifies the cocktail considerably, as the coffee character is already deeply embedded in the spirit. Simply shake with ice, a shot of fresh espresso, and the merest touch of sugar syrup. It also makes a remarkable Black Russian when paired with quality coffee liqueur.
Verdict
A genuinely impressive flavoured vodka that treats its coffee component with the seriousness it deserves. At under thirty pounds, this represents outstanding value for a spirit of this quality and complexity. One of Portobello Road's finest achievements.
