Grey Goose Cherry Noir 750ML is a French flavored vodka infused with natural black cherry essence, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle. What distinguishes this expression from the crowded cherry vodka category is its use of handpicked black cherries sourced from the steep hillsides of France's Basque Country, combined with Grey Goose's signature wheat-based spirit — and its full 80-proof bottling, which is notably higher than most cherry-flavored vodkas on the market.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof) | Origin: Picardy & Cognac Region, France | Style: Black Cherry Flavored Vodka | Distillery: Grey Goose (Maître de Chai: François Thibault)Production & HeritageGrey Goose is produced under the direction of François Thibault, the brand's Maître de Chai, using soft winter wheat grown in the Picardy region of northern France. The base spirit is blended with spring water from Gensac-la-Pallue in the Cognac region, naturally filtered through Champagne limestone. For Cherry Noir, the finished vodka is infused with 100% natural essence of ripe black cherries handpicked by local farmers in the French Basque Country — a detail that separates it from competitors relying on synthetic flavoring or non-origin-specific fruit sources. The decision to bottle at 80 proof preserves the backbone of the base vodka, allowing the cherry character to integrate rather than dominate.Tasting NotesAroma: Vibrant and immediately recognizable — ripe dark cherries lead, followed by sweet red fruits and a subtle undercurrent of almond. A whisper of warm spice rounds out the nose.Taste: The entry is lush with tart dark cherry, quickly broadening at mid-palate into sweet baking spices — cinnamon, allspice — alongside soft vanilla and a fleeting banana note. A creamy mouthfeel carries balanced acidity, keeping the sweetness in check and letting the clean wheat vodka profile show through.Finish: Warming and bright, with the natural cherry essence lingering well beyond expectations for a flavored vodka. The finish is long, clean, and pleasingly dry, with a last echo of dark stone fruit.How to Drink Cherry NoirAt 80 proof, Cherry Noir holds up well chilled and sipped neat or over a single large ice cube, where its dark fruit complexity can unfold without dilution washing it out. It also brings unexpected depth to cocktails: Black Forest Martini: Shake with crème de cacao and a dash of cream — Cherry Noir's tart fruit provides a sophisticated counterpoint to chocolate sweetness. Cherry Collins: Combine with fresh lemon juice and club soda for a refreshing long drink where the Basque cherry character stays front and center. Manhattan riff (vodka-based): Substitute Cherry Noir for whiskey alongside sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters — the dark cherry and spice notes mirror the classic template remarkably well. Best For Hosting a cocktail party focused on fruit-forward, spirit-driven drinks Gifting to a vodka enthusiast who has moved beyond unflavored expressions Building a home bar with versatile, premium flavored spirits Pairing with dessert courses at dinner gatherings Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Cherry Noir taste like? Cherry Noir leads with tart, ripe black cherry flavor balanced by warm baking spices like cinnamon and allspice, with a creamy texture and a long, clean finish. It is noticeably less sweet than many flavored vodkas, leaning toward dark stone fruit rather than candy.How does Cherry Noir compare to Absolut Cherrys? Cherry Noir is bottled at a higher 80 proof versus Absolut Cherrys' 80 proof (though many cherry vodkas sit at 70 proof or lower), and uses natural black cherry essence from France's Basque Country rather than a blend of cherry varieties. Grey Goose's wheat-based spirit also provides a creamier, richer base compared to Absolut's winter wheat profile, which tends toward a sharper, more grain-forward character.Is Cherry Noir good for cocktails? Its full 80-proof strength and balanced dark fruit character make it an excellent cocktail ingredient that won't get lost under mixers. It works particularly well in shaken drinks where tartness and spice can shine through citrus and sweeteners.Where is Cherry Noir made? Cherry Noir is produced in France, using soft winter wheat from the Picardy region and spring water from Gensac-la-Pallue in the Cognac region, naturally filtered through Champagne limestone. The black cherries used for flavoring are handpicked in the French Basque Country.What foods pair well with Cherry Noir? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cherry and spice notes directly. Duck breast with cherry reduction mirrors the spirit's fruit profile. Aged Comté cheese contrasts with its tartness for an elegant pairing. Almond biscotti picks up on the subtle almond note in the aroma. Fresh berries with crème fraîche provide a light dessert match.What sizes does Cherry Noir come in? Grey Goose Cherry Noir is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, though availability of other sizes may vary by market.Is Cherry Noir worth the price? Cherry Noir positions as a premium flavored vodka, sitting above mass-market cherry vodkas in both price and production quality. The use of natural Basque Country cherry essence, French wheat base spirit, and full-strength 80-proof bottling justifies its placement in the upper tier of the flavored vodka category.Why Cherry Noir?In a category where most cherry vodkas rely on artificial flavoring and reduced proof to appeal to the widest possible audience, Cherry Noir takes a different path. The use of handpicked black cherries from the French Basque Country — not a generic cherry flavoring compound — gives it a dark, tart fruit character that reads as genuinely fruit-derived rather than confected. Bottling at full 80 proof preserves the structural integrity of Grey Goose's wheat-based spirit, so the cherry flavor integrates into the vodka rather than masking it. For anyone looking to move beyond basic flavored vodkas without leaving the category entirely, this expression represents one of the more serious options available.
