Smoke Lab Aniseed Flavored Vodka, India

A Basmati rice Vodka base infused with an infusion of Aniseed to deliver a light Ouzo-like note.

NV Group is one of the largest distilling companies in India. They were originally founded in 1994 as a Liquor distribution company in NewDelhi. The company then took on the task of bottling the Spirits they distributed from some of the largest brands in the world — Bacardi, Cutty Sark, and brands from Pernod Ricard. The natural next step was the distillation and development of their own house brands, including The Discovery, Blue Moon, Party Special, Royal Envy, Crazy Romeo, Moha Rum, and the newest Smoke lab, among others.

Smoke Lab” is a cool-sounding name, but we need to get something important out of the way.
The Spirits bottled under the Smoke Lab brand are NOT smoky in flavor. So, why call the brand Smoke Lab? We have no idea. But now that we’ve told you what Smoke Lab isn’t, let’s focus on what it is.

Smoke Lab Aniseed starts with the signature Smoke Lab Vodka — a five-times distilled pure Vodka Spirit made from local Basmati rice and Himalayan spring water. Then they gently infuse aniseed into the mix, delivering a gentle, herbal quality consistent with fennel and licorice. The flavor profile sits somewhere between Vodka and Ouzo.

Smartass Corner 1:
Basmati rice is staple of Indian Cuisine with a nutty, floral aroma. More than 70% of the world’s Basmati rice is grown in India, The name comes from the ancient Sanskrit, meaning “fragrant.”

Smartass Corner 2:
Aniseed is originally from the Mediterranean region. In India it is known as “Saunf.”