Absolut Boston is the third city-themed vodka from the massive spirits company, but the first of that bunch I’ve had the chance to sample. Some thoughts — before the bottle vanishes altogether.

Absolut Boston is flavored with black tea and elderflower, an interesting and overall quite successful combination. Everyone loves elderflower — you can’t turn around in a bar without getting hit by a bottle of St. Germain — but the addition of tea is what makes this vodka so intriguing. Yes, elderflower is strong at first sip, but the tea component comes along quickly after, and in fact starts to dominate the vodka within a few seconds. The finish offers a lightly bitter black tea character, which makes you rush back for another sip to get that sweet elderflower back onto your tongue.

As with most Absolut versions, Absolut Boston has a hard edge to it, a medicinal character that the company’s flavoring agents never manage to cover up. It’s textbook Absolut with a twist. And quite an interesting one. Try it in any number of cocktails (try this one) where elderflower liqueur is called for.

80 proof.

B+ / $29 (one liter bottle) / absolut.com

Absolut Boston Vodka

$29

8.5

Rating

8.5/10