Review: Grey Goose Essences, Complete Lineup
Review: Grey Goose Essences, Complete Lineup
Grey Goose makes standard flavored vodkas, and now it expands those offerings with a spinoff line called Essences, part of the new craze in vodka that sees brands relying on real fruit and natural ingredients — and no added sugar in the case of Essences — to create unusual flavor combinations that at least give the appearance of being healthy-ish. According to Grey Goose, it’s the brand’s “most expansive innovation to date … made with all-natural ingredients and meticulously developed with the highest-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that have become synonymous with Grey Goose.”
Three flavors are available — all designed to be served with a simple soda water mixer. We tried them all. Who’s ready for boozy spa water?
Each is bottled at 60 proof.
Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass – Strawberry aromas burst immediately as this is poured from the bottle, though an herbal element on the nose also offers a nod to the lemongrass component. Dry on the palate, the berry note turns out to be ephemeral, fading away in surprisingly short order and letting the underlying vodka carry more of the weight. Quite herbal on the finish, that lemongrass character presents as rather peppery, making for a curious counterpoint to the sweet fruit notes up top. B [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary – Less overtly fruity on the nose — the rosemary character is a bold one here — but otherwise this vodka is fairly well balanced between its two primary components. Again, the palate is quite dry, with a mild peach character — almost apricot at times — showing fairly clearly from start to finish. On the whole, the experience is quite mild but expressive with its core flavoring agents. If either peach or rosemary make an appearance in a cocktail you’re working up, this might not be a bad base spirit to consider. B+ [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Basil – A classic combination IRL, but what about in a vodka? The combo is initially clear and works reasonably well here, though the watermelon aroma fades quickly and the palate eventually turns to something closer to cantaloupe or honeydew than sweet watermelon. Of this trio, this is the vodka which could benefit the most clearly from some sweetness, something which could help to brighten up the finish — where the basil element reigns completely, especially after some time in glass allows the fruit to settle down. B [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
each $30 / greygoose.com
Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass
$30
