The collaboration between award-winning distillery In the Welsh Wind
and KWS — one of the world’s largest seed suppliers — has produced a three-grain vodka that is an excellent addition to the Cardigan-based distillery’s lineup.
The partnership represents several firsts for the Cardigan distillery — not only is it the first vodka to be produced by the brand, but the story of the spirit is told on every bottle, thanks to the label. The ‘seed to glass’ journey is depicted in another distillery first, through the eye-catching augmented reality label commissioned by KWS and developed by tech company Juice Immersive.
Three Grain Vodka is a combination of barley and rye supplied by KWS, which is then blended with a wheat-based spirit to create the final drink.
The origins of this vodka began when KWS’ Digital Innovation Team sought an authentic partner to produce a consumer product from its seeds.
“The final product is smooth and rich. As a varietal vodka, the flavours of the barley and grain are present — as we wanted them to be,” said Ellen Wakelam, co-founder of In the Welsh Wind, “There’s a distinct rye finish, along with flavours of vanilla and cold ice cream on a warm crepe. It’s as good to sip neat as it is mixed into a cocktail or served long with a good quality tonic.”
She added: “Bringing the story to life via our very first AR label is also incredible. We’re excited to have the opportunity to tell the story of the grain, from seed developed by KWS and nurtured by farmers to a finished vodka. The label, which is artistically stunning, complements our other In the Welsh Wind products.”
Meredith Mendola, Operations Lead for KWS’ Digital Innovation Team, said: “We could not pass up the opportunity to partner with an authentic bespoke spirits brand and a talented extended reality agency to show how our high-quality seeds become the products you enjoy.”
The big question, of course, is, does it live up to the hype? After cracking open a bottle in the post-Christmas haze as we work to clear our inboxes before the new year, we can confirm that Three Grain Vodka definitely meets expectations.
It’s smooth and elegant, with no hit of overwhelming spirit on the nose or the palate when sipped neat. Add just a little ice, and the smoothness is even more evident. For a vodka, it has plenty of flavour, too, from the notes of rye and barley that are immediately obvious to the subtle hints of sweet vanilla in the finish. It’s well-balanced and enjoyable to drink.
If you aren’t a neat vodka fan, Three Grain Vodka would be a great cocktail mixer, as while there are plenty of flavours in the spirit, they aren’t so strong as to alter the flavours when mixed, making it a truly versatile spirit which would be a great addition to any drinks cabinet.
What: In the Welsh Wind Three Grain Vodka
How much: £40
Where: inthewelshwind.co.uk
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