Tag: Vodka

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LVOV Vodka

LVOV VodkaLVOV Vodka

LVOV [Luh-voff] premium Polish vodka offers excellent value for the money. Crafted in the old tradition from potatoes (and thus gluten-free), it is distilled four times, then filtered four times through an activated carbon and candle process for smoothness. It features a hint of mineral taste with a touch of sweetness, and a slightly herbal aroma. This is a refined, mellow sip to add as part of your favorite cocktail or enjoyed on its own.

Because home freezers don’t get cold enough to freeze spirits, many people (us included) like to stash their vodka there for ready-to-go enjoyment.

–Spirits Contributor Neal Kotlarek

LVOV Smash
2 oz. LVOV Vodka
5 grapes
1 slice serrano pepper
1 lime wedge
1 sugar cube
Dash orange bitters

Directions: Muddle all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and pour everything into a cocktail glass. Garnish with remaining serrano pepper and lime wedge.

LVOV Sparkling Sea Breeze
1½ oz. LVOV Vodka
1½ oz. cranberry juice
1½ oz. grapefruit juice
1½ cups ice cubes
1½ oz. sparkling water
1 lime wedge

Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with vodka, juices, and ice cubes. Cover and shake. Fill a glass with sparkling water. Strain vodka mixture into sparkling water and garnish with lime wedge.

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LEAF Vodka

Leaf VodkaLEAF Vodka is sourced from two unique American waters. These water sources give LEAF vodkas their signature tastes.

LEAF Vodka made from Alaskan glacial water has a pure, smooth taste with a hint of sweetness, while LEAF vodka made from Rocky Mountain mineral water offers richness and complexity, lending a warm and savory impression on the palate. Both expressions are distilled five times, are made with USDA Certified Organic non-GMO wheat, and are unflavored. The difference is in the water, which constructs two distinct tastes for different taste profiles.

To date, LEAF has won over 20 awards since 2014 including multiple Double Gold and Best in Show awards from a variety of organization, including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the San Diego Spirits Festival, TheFiftyBest.com, the SIP International Consumer Tasting Awards, and the Ultimate Spirits Challenge among others.

by Spirits Contributor Neal Kotlarek

leafvodka.com

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Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

Khortytsa Vodka

The Ukrainian Khortytsa [Hor-Ti-Tsa] Distillery opened in December 2003. Although relatively new to the US market, is well-known globally, with distribution in over 87 countries.

It was named among the world’s best distilleries at the 2014 New York International Spirits Competition. Only 19 of the world’s leading distilleries were recognized with this honor.

The distillery is located in Zaporozhe near Khortytsa Island, a sacred place in Ukraine – considered to be the cradle and heart of Ukrainian national pride – and is one of the country’s seven wonders. For the purest water possible, the distillery uses a filter process containing schungite (a unique natural mineral), and is further enhanced with special birch and alder-tree charcoal and quartz sand sourced near the Ural Mountains.

Production capacity is 16 vodka bottles per second. The total volume in the alcohol cellar of the distillery is 1,000,000 liters, or 264,000 gallons. The company employs 1600, and is the dominant vodka in Ukraine.

Currently, there are four items within the Khortytsa line imported to the United States: Khortytsa Platinum, which is the most popular; Khortytsa Ice, specially formulated to be frozen with the bottle turning blue when chilled; Khortytsa Honey Pepper, which adds a spicy zing to a variety of cocktails; and Khortytsa De Luxe a “super premium” vodka for connoisseurs.

By Spirits Contributor Neal Kotlarek

khortytsa.com/en/home_en/

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Allaire Vodka

Allaire VodkaAllaire Vodka is a “premium” vodka that is produced in Poland. The vodka is distilled six times (allegedly in vertical columns) and and then filtered five times, aiming for “outstanding purity, clarity and shine.” according to the producer. The mash bill (grain base) for Allaire is reportedly rye-dominant — meaning a substantial portion of the spirit originates from rye grain rather than wheat or potatoes.

The nose is clean, light, and elegant, with some slight spiciness. On the palate there’s more spice, but it is quite smooth and balanced. The finish is medium long with just a touch of dry slate at the end.

Overall this  vodka leans less toward the “neutral and flavorless” end of typical inexpensive vodkas, and more toward a crafted, character-rich style that might appeal to vodka drinkers looking for rye-influenced subtlety.

Because it is a neutral spirit (or is supposed to be) vodka producers often rely on the bottle to make their product distinctive. That is certainly the case here. Allaire’s bottle stands an imposing 15” tall, and the metal cap alone weighs nearly a pound!

allaireprivee.com/home

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Bakon Vodka

Bakon VodkaWhenever Homer Simpson wants to relax with something other than Duff beer, my guess is he turns to Bakon Vodka. Yes. Premium vodka infused with the aroma and taste of delicious smokehouse bacon.

People have been mixing savory ingredients with alcohol as long as they have been drinking alcohol. Writers from the 17th century, including John Locke and Samuel Pepys frequently imbibed and wrote about savory infused ales. It turns out that mixing sweet and savory in food and beverage is not a new idea.

The folks behind Bakon started developing the product in the fall of 2007 and worked on it for two years. The base spirit is  quality Idaho potato vodka. It is smooth and slightly sweet, with the well-rounded flavor that you only get from a quality potato distillation. The vodka is column-distilled using a single heating process that allegedly doesn’t “bruise” the alcohol like the multiple heating cycles needed to make a typical pot-still vodka.

Next comes the infusion, to deliver the essence of a delicious, crisp slice of peppered bacon. This secret process creates a taste and smell that is surprisingly accurate. Before you do any mixing with it, first try it chilled and straight up, to maximize the “wow!” reaction.

Co-founder and Creative Director Chris Marshall notes, “Although today you can find plenty of sweet, fruity-flavored mixtures and infusions, we’re excited to produce a savory spirit that people can’t wait to try.”

Flavored vodkas are popular with trendy mixologists who want more versatility and options than mainline liquors provide. Like them, you can use Bakon vodka to whip up an excellent Bloody Mary, a Bacon Martini with a blue cheese-stuffed olive, or:

The Elvis Presley

2 oz. Bakon vodka
1 oz.  hazelnut liqueur
1 oz.  banana liqueur
a splash of cream.

Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Thank you. Thank you very much.

www.bakonvodka.com/

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