On the Shelf: Long Leaf Tea Vodka

Head-turning product LongLeaf Tea Vodka has already had quite the impressive run at competitions around the globe, particularly at the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition last year where it was named best tea vodka in the world. Distilled in the Hunter Valley region, this Sydney-based brand which launched in 2013, has gone on to become one of the most commended new spirits on the market with a fresh, smooth blend of premium Vodka and Ceylon tea.

LongLeaf is made using certified organic Vodka, pure Australian rainwater, and handpicked tea leaves, inspired by the spirit of Sri Lanka. It’s Australia’s first tea vodka, and for it to already be considered amongst the best in the world is incredible.

Credited for a unique, refreshing, and natural taste with a hint of sweetness and a crispy tea finish, LongLeaf is a obviously a versatile product and one which has the potential to make for some really unique, delicious cocktails.

The journey to create this product is a worldly one, starting in the misty hills of Sri Lanka where founder Ram Krish’s family has been growing tea for generations. Form there, tea is handpicked and shipped to Australia where it is distilled in the Hunter Valley using organic Vodka and pure rainwater.

Also named the best flavoured Vodka in the Asia Pacific region, the spirit has gone on to prove extremely popular at bars and restaurants including Otto, Jonkanoo, and Chiswick.

It’s not hard to taste why this flavoured Vodka has been so popular lately, it’s smooth and well balanced with a crisp finish. The aroma is strong and sweet, reflecting it’s complex character that brings a rich and very full-flavoured hit without overwhelming the Vodka. There is little to no burn, with a soft finish that benefits from the fact that they use actual tea to make this, not resting on synthetically made flavour.

The spirit plays well with fruit-based cocktails, particularly apple and berries. We’d be interested to see how this goes in cocktails served hot.

LongLeaf retails online at Dan Murphy’s and through their website: www.longleaf.com.au. Longleaf is $48.90 for 500ml or $64.99 for 700ml from Dan Murphy’s.

This article was originally on July 13, 2015

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Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.