featured Spirits

I
n this edition of the Cigar & Spirits Magazine
vodka issue, we present 12 ultra-premium
brands from around the world. Several of
these brands are newer to the market and
have only been around a short time, whereas
others have become long-time staples of the category. There
are many unique choices on the list, which are sure to liven up
any cocktail party. Not to mention that any of these choices are
great for livening up classic cocktails, or for creating new ones.
Among the 12 featured vodkas, there are a number of different coun-
tries represented. Countries of origin include Russia, which shouldn’t
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come as a surprise, but also Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Iceland and
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the United States. Within the U.S. alone, there are vodkas on the list that are
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distilled in New York, Texas, Idaho and Oregon. If you ever wanted to make re-
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gional comparisons, this is a perfect starting point.

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Standards of Ways to Enjoy Vodka

Production
____________
The standards of production for vodka are
less stringent, or virtually non-existent,
than for some other spirits like whiskey,
although it varies from region to region. In
the European Union, the basic standards
stipulate that the spirit must be at least
37.5% alcohol by volume (abv.). The
minimum abv. for vodka produced in the
United States is 30%. In both cases, the
most common abv. for vodka is 40%.
There are no clear differences between the
naming of vodka based on the abv. or the
ingredients that are used for its distillation.
Vodka can be distilled from grains like
wheat and corn, or from potatoes,
sugar, or even fruits like
apples and oranges, or
a combination thereof.
The fermented base is
then distilled anywhere
from two or three times,
up to ten times, to achieve
the desired flavor and purity. The
resulting spirit can be up to 95% ethanol,
and must then but cut down with purified
water, and is often charcoal filtered. In
some cases, flavorings are added to the
spirit, to give it a distinct twist.
____________________
Vodka has traditionally been enjoyed neat in Russia and
eastern European countries, and sometimes on the rocks.
Sipping vodka along with bread and small appetizers is the
Russian way. Vodka shots are also common in the U.S., and
this can be a way to enjoy the spirit, though not the best.
An even better way to enjoy vodka however, and to gain
a better appreciation for the complexities of the spirit, is
to enjoy it in a nice martini. This allows you to sip on the
spirit, and pick up the intricacies that can be offered by the
combination of flavors. A martini is also a much better way
to pair vodka with a cigar.
Beyond the vodka martini, there are almost limitless
options for the use of vodka in mixing cocktails. This is
one major reason it is such a popular spirit, its versatility is
virtually endless. Whether you like the classics like a Bloody
Mary, White Russian, Vodka Cranberry, or Moscow Mule, or
if you’re a little more adventurous – you can mix vodka with
almost anything to create your own special cocktail. Vodka
is one of the few spirits that actually works well when mixed
with other spirits as well, opening even more doors for
possibilities. There is room for experimentation, and also
for just sticking to the classics, whatever your preference
may be.
Vodka is a very old and traditional spirit, with a constantly
evolving image to fit the times. There are literally thousands
of different brands originating from distilleries all around
the world. There is a flavor to suit any taste, and a caliber
to fit any budget. Given all the variables, the 12 brands
featured here are all excellent options for those with more
refined tastes.

64 / Cigar & Spirits March/April 2014

featured Spirits featured Spirits

Zing Vodka

Z q
ing is the new vodka from the Maloof family, famous
for their ownership of the Las Vegas Palms Casino
Resort. Made in Rochester, New York from a blend of
corn and wheat, Zing is quadruple distilled in a state-of-
the-art column still, and is then subjected to a rigorous
filtration process whereby ultimate purity is achieved. R
Russian Standard
Vodka

Aromatic and silky smooth, the vodka is warm and rich
with a hint of sweetness and a crisp finish. Each bottle
comes equipped with its own LED light and on-off switch,
allowing for an attention grabbing illumination of the
vodka. Also available in a lower proof Red Velvet flavor.
Retails for about $25. 40% abv.
q
ussian Standard Vodka is made from 100% au-
thentic Russian ingredients, including glacial
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water and the finest winter wheat. State of the art pro-
duction methods bring a century of vodka expertise
89 to the 21st century, achieving the balance between
purity, taste, technology and tradition. The result
is a classic and complex high-quality Russian made
vodka. The vodka’s full body, rounded mouth feel and
long, savory finish make it ideal for pairing with food.
Retails around $20. 40% abv.

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Lucky Dog Vodka

L q
aunched in 2012 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and
just released in California, Lucky Dog is a small
batch vodka founded by Greg Nichols, a former U.S.
Ski Team mogul specialist. Distilled in Rigby, Idaho
from locally grown Idaho winter wheat, the vodka is
also made with Rocky Mountain melt-water from the
T
Indigenous Vodka

q
his vodka is produced from 100% Hudson Valley apples
grown at the Jenkins and Leuken Orchards, as well as other
local orchards, just miles from the distillery in New York. After
the apples are pressed and the cider is fermented, each batch is
distilled three times in order to retain the essence of the apples
Snake River aquifer. The vodka’s clarity, crispness that were its source. No additional flavors are added. Wonderful
and sparkle earned it a pre-launch Gold Medal at the chilled or in martinis and cocktails featuring apple cider. Recently
2011 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition. received a Double Gold in the Fifty Best Domestic Vodka tasting.
Retails for around $22 a bottle. 35% abv. Retails at around $37 a bottle. 40% abv.

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featured Spirits featured Spirits

DEEP EDDY
VODKA

T q
his premium small-batch vodka won Gold at the
2013 Craft Spirits Awards. Made in Austin, Texas
in a state of the art column still, it is gluten-free and uti-
lizes Texas aquifer water for its production. Distilled a re-
markable ten times, it provides smooth, crisp and pure
vodka flavors on the palate. The purity of the vodka lends
95 T q
elit by
Stolichnaya
his super-premium vodka is
made using a unique freeze-
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itself well to classic mixed vodka drinks like the Bloody out filtration process, and is crafted
Mary or even a simple vodka cranberry. Also available in using Alpha Spirit, the highest grade
lower proof Sweet Tea and Ruby Red grapefruit flavors. of spirit recognized by the Russian
Retails for about $20 a bottle. 40% abv. authorities. Inspired by the old Rus-
sian tradition of leaving casks outside
in plummeting winter conditions, the
liquid is chilled to exactly -18˚C. It is
then put through ion-charged carbon
filters at an extremely slowed velocity.
This ensures the finest impurities are
captured and removed, leaving a pure
liquid charged with character. The re-
sult is a vodka with a weighty, rolling
mouth-feel, and clean, crisp flavor.
Retails for about $60 for a bottle.

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EFFEN Vodka

T qFOU-DRÉ
his ultra-premium boutique vodka is the winner of multi-
ple awards. Made from wheat grain and infused with five
distinct fruit flavors including pomegranate, the spirit awakens
the taste buds with a splash of spicy and sweet essences on
the palate. Meaning “lightening,” the name FOU-DRÉ denotes
A q
super-premium vodka whose name means smooth,
even and balanced in Dutch. It is made from 100%
premium wheat and uses a continuous distillation pro-
cess in which the liquid is circulated in stainless steel
columns many times. This process results in a silky,
smooth liquid that creates a clean, crisp taste on the
its French heritage. Commanded by a violet hue glass-light- palette. EFFEN Vodka has a crisp, light and pure flavor.
ning bolt, the bottle evokes royalty, allure and glamour. Retails for about $28 a bottle. 40% abv.
Retail price ranges from $40-50. 40% abv.

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featured Spirits featured Spirits

Yazi Ginger Vodka

T q
his is a super-premium ginger flavored vodka that
spices up classic cocktails and inspires mixologists
with its flavorful combination of ginger, citrus and spice.
There is a spicy and sweet taste on the palate, and it comes
in a perfume inspired bottle. Made using glacier-fed spring
water from Mt. Hood in Oregon, four different species of
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A
Reyka Vodka

q
new, innovative, hand-crafted and truly Icelandic
vodka. Reyka is hand crafted using one of only six Car-
ter Head Stills available in the world. The liquid is then fil-
tered through lava rocks and analyzed to ensure it has
retained the highest of quality. It has a smooth taste and
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ginger are used, along with lemon, orange, cayenne and distinctive flavor. The Reyka Distillery uses geo-thermal en-
red pepper, giving it a distinctive taste. It is great for mixing ergy powered by steam from nearby hot springs and vol-
with ginger ale or ginger beer, or for spicing up cocktails. canoes, making it an environmentally sustainable process.
Retails for about $35 bottle. 35% abv. Retails for about $25 a bottle. 40% abv.

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ABSOLUT ELYX

N q
amed Best Vodka at the 2013 San Francisco World
Spirits Competition, this is an ultra-premium
single-batch vodka. It is made from the highest qual-
ity hand-selected winter wheat from the Rabeloff Cas-
tle in Southern Sweden. Each batch is 100% traceable,
from the planting of the first seed all the way through
M
Ketel One Vodka

q
ade with a careful selection of the finest Euro-
pean wheat, Ketel One is a smooth and pure
vodka. Once harvested and fermented, the Master Dis-
tiller combines the perfect marriage of old world pot
to distillation and bottling. Handcrafted in traditional still craft and modern distilling techniques. The aro-
Swedish artisan vodka methods, ABSOLUT ELYX is dis- mas of Ketel One Vodka show hints of citrus and honey.
tilled in a vintage copper still that dates back to the On the palate is the taste of a crisp, unmistakable
1920’s, giving it a naturally pure and smooth texture. coolness as it smoothly coats the tongue. The long fin-
Retails at about $49 for a 1L bottle. 42.3% abv. ish leaves a lively tingle from the ultra-premium spirit.
Retails for about $25. 40% abv.

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