Skip to main content

Review: Arbikie Potato Vodka, The Scottish Vodka You Want, but Can’t Have (Yet)

Arbikie-7
Image used with permission by copyright holder


Editor’s Note: Last November we had the pleasure of spending 10 captivating days in Scotland. Below is but one adventure of many from our stay. We hope the joy we experienced comes through in all our posts and missives from our adventure, which no doubt read better with a wee dram in hand.

When you think Scotland, I can almost guarantee you that you don’t think of vodka. Obviously Scotch whisky. Maybe sheep. Definitely Hendrick’s Gin. Probably haggis. Not vodka, though. Hardly ever vodka.

Recommended Videos

Surprisingly, though, there are a number of distilleries that are producing clear spirits and, as the companies grow and develop, are quickly making a name for Scotland as being some place known for more than just Scotch Whisky (not that that would necessarily be a bad thing. It is their largest export, after all).

Arbikie-Vodka-w-Highlands-BG
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Arbikie Distillery is one such distillery. Overlooking the Lunan Bay in Angus in the Scottish Highlands, Arbikie (pronounced Ar-bee-kee) is run by Stirling brothers David, Iain, and John, and utilizes the on-site farm that has been in their family for four generations to produce the ingredients for their spirits. Arbikie vodka is made with three different types of home-grown potatoes—Cultura, King Edward, and Maris Piper.

Arbikie-Vodka-Wide
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Our Review

Appearance: Clear with a little bit of viscosity leading to decent legs when swirled.

Nose: This is certainly a vodka. Ethanol on the nose, though not overpowering. Underneath the boozy notes are a current of earthy, potato-y notes that mix with a slight hint of sweetness that almost resembles vanilla.

Palate: A little more body than you would expect in a typical vodka. Slight sweetness and a little bit of earthiness. All-around smooth character. A hint of banana on the back end of the flavor accompanies a growing warmth in the mouth.

Arbikie-Vodka-Potaoes
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finish: A fairly long finish for a vodka that continues to have the pleasant warming character.

Final Thoughts: It’s always harder to review a vodka than it is a whiskey or a non-neutral spirit. Inherent in the fact that it is a neutral spirit is, you know, neutrality across various facets. Allowing some of the character from the base ingredients into the spirit is a good thing in my book and here, Arbikie does it wonderfully. There is enough texture and flavor to know you haven’t just picked up any old vodka, but not so much as to make you think that it is something else. Arbikie straddles the line well and, if this is any indication of the quality of white spirits coming out of Scotland, then I cannot wait to see others that we have not seen yet.

Unfortunately, Arbikie, which is 43% ABV is not yet available in the US, but hopefully will be soon. Overseas, it retails for around $43.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Love s’mores and coffee? This Joel McHale-approved treat combines both
The s'mores and coffee combination you didn't know you needed
Joel McHale

Just in time for s'mores season, Seattle's Best Coffee is taking coffee beyond the brew with Coffee Roast Mallows, a limited-edition variety pack created in partnership with XO Marshmallow. Inspired by the smooth taste of Seattle's Best Coffee, this cozy treat is approved by Seattle-native Joel McHale, an actor, comedian, and coffee aficionado.
Launched today, the coffee-inspired marshmallow variety pack features four toasty flavors along with a bag of Seattle's Best Coffee Campfire S'mores Flavored ground coffee. Dan Gaul, co-founder of The Manual, interviewed McHale to get the scoop on this latest release. Here's what he shared.
Why McHale loves Coffee Roast Mallows

Known for his sharp wit and passion for coffee, McHale brings the perfect blend of humor and hometown pride to “toast” as the hilarious face of Seattle's Best Coffee's new “May Smoother Coffee Bring Smoother Days” campaign. "These limited edition [coffee marshallows] are flavored and inspired by their coffee roasts—like the light roast, the dark roast, the medium, and then s’mores," says McHale. "Now, you can have this sweet treat with your coffee, or just put them in the cup like I do and eat them that way."
Growing up in the Northwest in Seattle, s'mores hold a special place in McHale's heart, reminding him of camping memories from his childhood. "You know, [our family didn’t have much money. I’m the youngest of five, so it’s not like we had a ton of money to go somewhere else. So, camping was our vacation in the summer," he shares. For him, this nostalgic coffee and s'mores duo evokes campfire feelings, taking him back to the good ol' days.
Though McHale is also a huge fan of iced coffee, he loves adding marshmallows to hot coffee for a cozy campfire feeling. Unaffected by coffee's caffeine, McHale says it doesn’t make his heart race.
What's inside each box

Read more
Wolves and Willett are collaborating on a new, limited-edition whiskey
Wolves and Willett are collaborating on their third whiskey
Wolves Whiskey

Wolves is a luxury California whiskey brand. Willett Family Estate is a renowned, historic Kentucky whiskey brand. The two companies are again partnering to release an exciting, limited-edition whiskey. The third installment of the collaboration between the two brands is a rye whiskey that was matured for a decade.
Wolves x Willett 10-Year Rye Whiskey

This limited-edition expression is a blend of rye whiskeys. First, Willett hand-selected 10-year-old Kentucky rye barrels. The Wolves Head Blender Eddie Gonzalez picked a 10-year-old rye whiskey that was matured for seven years in Indiana before being finished for three years in Northern California. The two whiskeys are blended to make this complex, multi-layered expression.

Read more
A summery cocktail duo for National Tequila Day
Summer-approved drinks that put the famed spirit on a pedestal
A glass of Summer Sangria in between a plate of watermelon slices and a bottle of 1800 Silver Tequila.

National Tequila Day is coming right up, falling on July 24th this year. And while we believe most days are suitable for fine agave spirits, a day solely devoted to the stuff seems extra fitting. This year, instead of the standard Margarita or Paloma, perhaps it's time to try something a little different.

We were offered a couple of options from 1800 Tequila and after mixing a few up on a hot summer's day, we thought it was time to share the goods. By adding things as simple as fresh fruit and syrups, these cocktails deliver extra layers of enjoyment. Sometimes, a little twist is all it takes from something to seem new and refreshing.
Blackberry Ranch Water

Read more