Heritage & Distillery
Hayman's is one of the great names in British gin distilling, and Respirited represents an ingenious extension of that heritage — a vodka produced from grain spirit that would otherwise be discarded during the gin production process. The concept is elegantly circular: the spirit that does not meet the precise specification required for Hayman's gin is repurposed, charcoal-filtered, and bottled as vodka, reducing waste whilst creating a product of genuine quality. The sustainability credentials are real, extending to the bottles, which are made from recycled glass.
Production
The base spirit is the same high-quality grain neutral spirit that Hayman's uses for its gin production — a pedigree that guarantees a certain minimum standard of quality. Charcoal filtration removes any botanical traces from the gin-making process and smooths the spirit for its new purpose. The bottling at 40.2% ABV — fractionally above the conventional 40% — suggests that the precise strength is determined by the character of each batch rather than by dilution to a predetermined target.
Tasting Notes
The nose is clean and bright — soft grain, gentle citrus zest, and a subtle floral lift that may represent a faint echo of the botanical heritage of the base spirit. On the palate, the vodka is smooth and approachable with gentle cereal sweetness, white pepper, and clean minerality. It is well-made and honest — not a spirit of great complexity, but one of genuine quality. The finish is short to medium, clean and crisp with gentle peppery warmth.
The Serve
Respirited is an honest mixer — it performs its function in cocktails with quiet competence, allowing other ingredients to shine while providing a clean, smooth base. A Moscow Mule or a Vodka Collins are both well served by this spirit.
Verdict
Respirited is a commendable initiative — a spirit that does the right thing environmentally without compromising on quality. At under twenty-six pounds, it represents excellent value, and the Hayman's provenance provides an assurance of quality that many craft vodkas at this price point cannot match. Recommended as a daily-drinking vodka with a clear conscience.
