58 and Co launches Olive Oil Vodka

London-based distillery 58 and Co has kicked off a new series by partnering with Citizens of Soil to create a vodka infused with olive oil.

The Co-Lab series will see the B Corp-certified brand create spirits using excess products from ‘like-minded’ companies. The first launch is an olive oil vodka that ‘celebrates the fresh and flavourful aromatics’ of Citizens of Soil’s olive oil. The partnership began when 58 and Co founder Carmen O’Neal used Citizens of Soil’s product in a Dirty Martini, which is described as the vodka’s perfect serve. “The Co-Lab series is really showcasing what the ‘Co’ in 58 and Co is all about – connection, collaboration and community,” said O’Neal. “We’re so much more than gin and this olive oil vodka is the perfect example of the brand’s vision, innovative ambition and sustainable ethos. “I’ve known about Sarah [Vachon, founder of Citizens of Soil) and been a fan of Citizens of Soil for a while now. This opportunity ticked all of the boxes for a Co-Lab – fellow B Corp, female-founded, repurposing by-product and the ingredients for a Dirty Martini.” On the nose, the vodka is ‘herbaceous’, while it’s ‘rich’ and ‘spiced’ on the palate. Its finish is creamy, clean and full-bodied. The olive oil vodka has an ABV of 43% and retails at £49 (US$62) for a 700ml bottle, with a 10ml bottle of Citizens of Soil’s olive oil included with every purchase. “We’ve thought about every step of the process so there’s absolutely no waste,” continued O’Neal. “Our distillery is solar powered, the bottles are made from recycled glass and the labels from discarded grape skins. “We’ve even taken the ‘rescued’ olive oil used in distillation, filtered it and bottled it up to use as a garnish for your olive oil Dirty Martini. “The team and I experimented for months to develop the recipe and perfect the distillation process and the resulting liquid is stunning.” Only 75 bottles are available in the first batch. A second batch is currently in production and uses excess oil from a different harvest. The second release in the Co Lab series will be a shochu created in collaboration with British sake brewery Kanpai. In April last year, 58 Gin rebranded to 58 and Co to support its expansion into different spirits categories. Earlier this month, Sapling Spirits created a coffee vodka using spent grounds from a hotel group.