Alpha Noble

France

Alpha Noble vodka

the pro

This is a review of Alpha Noble vodka from France. I sampled it in Germany in 2011. It’s clear, 40% alcohol, and I thought it was good but not ultra premium.

Last night I was going to have some vodka with a pro. I chose to bring a bottle of Alpha Noble vodka. This is a French brand from the mid-top shelf range, and it’s not exactly cheap. Only the good stuff for the pro, or so I thought…

who owns Alpha Noble vodka?

It’s 2021 now, and I am so confused: why does this self-styled ULTRA PREMIUM brand not have its own dedicated website? I looked for it everywhere, and all I could come up with was the website of a German import company called Borco. They import pretty much the complete Roust portfolio:

Borco vodka portfolio
from borco.com/en/products/alpha-noble on October 9th 2021

I am not sure if they own Alpha Noble vodka or if they simply import it. Anyway, here is their

Alpha Noble vodka page
from borco.com/en/products/alpha-noble on October 9th 2021

NO DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE. There weren’t any press releases, either.

There was an introductory text, but it was long and didn’t feel very original:

Alpha Noble vodka introduction
from borco.com/en/products/alpha-noble on October 9th 2021

Words like HIGHEST QUALITY, SIX-FOLD DISTILLATION, and STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY seem like basic talking points. And not just for premium vodka brands.

I would have expected more from a brand that positions itself in the mid-top shelf range.

sour

“Well, what do you think?” the pro asked me after the first shot.

I didn’t want to embarrass myself, so I mumbled something along the lines of: “7 out of 10, goes down easily, but lacks individuality, might be good in a mixed drink.”

The pro only said one word: “sour.”

So we were going to give it a 6 out of 10 or something.

no hangover

As the evening went on we went further into the vodka. Soon I was listening to myself telling stories about tears in Turpan and swindlers in Detmold. I was beginning to feel embarrassed, and when I realized that I had had way too much to drink, I stumbled home.

Then, much to my surprise, on the next morning, I received an email from the pro: “the vodka was pretty good,” he said, “there was no hangover.”

no ultra premium

All in all, the taste of Alpha Noble vodka still seemed a bit sour. The aftertaste was good but not great. There was a hint of sweetness in the aroma.

I liked the lower part of the bottle design but not so much the cap. And the price of about 18€ for 700ml seemed tolerable.

This is a good vodka. It’s nothing fancy, though. I suggest using it in a mixed drink.