365 | Spirits | Sweden, $10 to $20, 750 ml

"ABSOLUT VODKA is made exclusively from natural ingredients, and unlike other vodkas, it doesn’t contain any added sugar. In fact ABSOLUT is as pure as vodka can be. Still, that purity has a certain taste: Rich, full-bodied and complex, yet smooth and mellow with a distinct character of grain, followed by a hint of dried fruit."

"Citron’s bouquet sings with fresh, vibrant, lemon zest right from the opening bell; the prototypical citrus-flavored vodka bouquet. Palate entry is so clean and effortless that you just want to consume more immediately; at midpalate, there’s a rush of lemon zest and oil. The distillers reached the ideal degree of flavor balance, without submerging the vodka presence." 90-95 pts.

"Clear. Mild aromas of shredded wheat, frosting aromas follow through on a supple entry to a dry, oily medium body with sweet cream, vanilla, and mineral notes on the lightly peppery fade. Very nice and smooth."

"Clear. Intense, sweet clementine/tropical, perfumed aromas. Soft, rounded texture. Moderately lush and fruity mouthfeel gives way to a bold, mineral and grain accented palate."

"The pear scents of the bouquet are very inviting. The palate entry is clean, ripe, fruity and keenly pear-like; at the midpalate the taste turns softly ripe and sweet. Finishes elegantly and with a last minute thrust of pear that’s vivid, crisp and authentically pear-like. An outstanding flavoring job." 96-100 pts.

"The opening perfume is extremely raspberry-like; aeration tones down the jammy intensity a little as the bouquet turns seed-like. The palate entry is fruity, mildly sweet, ripe and pleasant; at midpalate there’s a slight embers-on-the-tongue warmth that accompanies the ripe raspberry flavor. Ends comfortably fruity and acidic." 85-89 pts.

"Offers an intensely bean-like aroma that’s assertive and properly bitter; with further time the fragrance turns plumper and sweeter. Palate entry is clean, acidic and bittersweet; by midpalate, the flavor profile displays focused, well-knit tastes of vanilla bean and cocoa bean. Aftertaste is long, semisweet and intensely vanilla-like." 90-95 pts.

Clear. Roasted-grilled peppers, green tomato and dried herbs. Bold, rich texture. Explosive, peppery flavors add great zest concentration to a full, weighty palate. Very well structured and delineated.