Vodka Product Range Serving Vodka
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SPIRIT COLLECTION Second edition It’s not just a staple on your back bar, it’s a whole world of style and discovery 04. CONTENTS What’s inside: Contents About Vodka Product range Serving vodka - A welcome introduction - The U.K. - Branch out with Fever-Tree pg. 04 - 05 pg. 14 - 19 pg. 58 - 59 - Vodka’s origins - Russia & Eastern Europe - The perfect Martini pg. 06 - 07 pg. 20 - 29 pg. 60 - 61 - What influences flavour? - Nordic Countries - Classic serves pg. 08 - 11 pg. 30 - 33 pg. 62 - 65 - The different vodka styles - Western Europe - Range & merchandise pg. 12 - 13 pg. 34 - 39 pg. 66 - 67 - North America - Design Studio pg. 40 - 43 pg. 68 - 71 - Flavoured vodka - Product index pg. 44 - 57 pg. 72 - 75 SPIRIT COLLECTION CONTENTS 05. “There are only two absolutes in life: friends & vodka...& the best times usually involve both” Anon // VODKA 06. ABOUT VODKA A welcome introduction Vodka remains by some quite It provides the perfect base for significant margin the most many mixed drinks and cocktails, widely drunk spirits category which is reflected in the fact that in the UK, accounting for over it accounts for 65% of all spirits a third of On-Trade spirit sales volume sold in cocktails.** with over 11million drinkers.* Perhaps due to its size, perceived lack It is the essence of a spirit at its of complexity, or that fact it is less purest, it does not differentiate news worthy than other categories at itself by the use of barrel aging or the moment, vodka doesn’t always age statements. get the attention it deserves and this is a real missed opportunity. Offering the Instead it relies on base ingredients, perfect range for your outlet not only production techniques and of course enhances your customers experience effective marketing to create a point but will also help you grow sales and of difference. revenue, so please take some time Vodka is incredibly versatile and to revisit your vodka range and be remains the mainstay of any good sure to add some vodka serves to spirits range. your drinks list. *William Grant & Sons 2016 Market Report ** CGA Strategy Mixed Drinks Report 2014 SPIRIT COLLECTION ABOUT VODKA 07. // VODKA 08. ABOUT VODKA Vodka’s origins Now produced all over the globe, vodka originated in Eastern Europe, with both Russia and Poland claiming to have been the first to distil it in the Middle Ages. The name came from “voda” in Russian and “woda” in Polish, both of which mean “little water”. During this time vodka was used primarily for medicinal purposes and as an ingredient in gunpowder. “The first recorded exports are of Russian vodka to Sweden in 1505” The first recorded exports are of Russian vodka to Sweden in 1505. By the mid 16th century, vodka had become a more social drink and consumption was widespread in both countries. Meals often started with bread and vodka, and vodka was also served at religious feasts. SPIRIT COLLECTION ABOUT VODKA 09. Today’s use of flavourings dates back to Vodka remained relatively unnoticed outside the early history of vodka where herbs and of Eastern Europe until the 1940s. spices were used to mask the flavour of Western troops were introduced to vodka what was at the time a harsh spirit. by their Russian allies in World War II. Then Heublin, who by this time owned Vodka is associated with purity, strength the Smirnoff brand, started to promote and neutrality. Innovations in the distilling mixability through the Moscow Mule. process in the mid 19th century, including the advent of continuous distillation, further The launch of the Absolut brand in 1979 enhanced these credentials. helped drive the popularity of vodka in Western Europe. The Smirnov family were among the first to introduce continuous distillation and they Today the vodka category is worth over also pioneered charcoal filtration; a process £1.89bn in the UK and is stocked by over which absorbs impurities without imparting 98% of On-Trade outlets*, it’s extremely its flavour to the spirit. They left Russia for versatile whether served as a shot, long Europe during the Russian Revolution and drink or cocktail and is a category that changed its name to Smirnoff. certainly cannot be ignored. *William Grant & Sons 2016 Market Report // VODKA 10. ABOUT VODKA What influences flavour? The general perception is that vodka is a flavourless spirit and in many cases this may ring true; certainly the addition of mixers can mask any flavour characteristics. However, as vodka connoisseurs will know, there are subtle differences in flavour and mouth feel which will be influenced by the raw materials used and the distillation methods. Flavour differences are slight but distinct and more easily tasted when the vodka is either drunk neat or opened with a little water. SPIRIT COLLECTION ABOUT VODKA 11. Raw materials Vodka can be made from cereal Barley Potato grains (wheat, rye, corn and Less common but used in Creamy buttery flavour and barley), from root crops (potatoes, Finland. Slightly nutty with mouth feel. sugar beet, beetroot), fruits lasting spice. (apples and grapes); also less commonly, milk whey or molasses Rye which forms the base of many Corn Commonly used for Polish cheaper vodka brands. Used more in American vodkas. vodkas. Gives a bread like Historically, the base raw Gives a buttery corn taste. sweetness with a hint of spice. materials were were whatever was grown locally, but the rise in vodka’s popularity around Grapes Wheat the world has encouraged Mainly used in vodkas from Most popular raw material and producers to experiment with Southern Europe. Delivers a dominant in Russian vodkas. different raw materials and production techniques. raisin, honey, citrus taste. Adds an aniseed spicy flavour. // VODKA 12. ABOUT VODKA Process & production Over time, developments in vodka production have been about removing impurities and producing a neutral tasting spirit. This was aided by the introduction of continuous distillation and filtration. “Brands use different production processes to add flavour & mouth-feel” However, brands use differences in the vodka production process to add flavour and mouth feel in order to differentiate their product from others. SPIRIT COLLECTION ABOUT VODKA 13. Some distillers use pot stills to finish their product which adds a rounding effect and character; the copper in the pot still promotes the formation of esters which can impart fruity notes. Another process that can influence the taste of vodka is filtration; charcoal filtration is the most common, removing the impurities which has a softening effect without imparting its flavour on the finished product. “Some distillers use pot stills to finish their product” Birch is the most commonly used wood for charcoal filtration, but charcoal from different wood may be used or indeed different materials all together; sand, crystals or diamonds, each material will have some effect to a greater or lesser extent on the finished product. Other brands are unfiltered which helps them retain some more of the flavour from the raw material, making them perfect in a martini where you want the flavour of the spirit to shine through. // VODKA 14. ABOUT VODKA The different vodka styles Today, the distillation process Western style / neutral vodkas is much improved and the spirit Most western style vodkas are distilled is much smoother. However, and filtered with the intention of creating many brands retain some of their a neutral spirit. traditional flavourings, the most known example is Zubrowka which is flavoured with bison grass. Eastern style / characterful vodkas These retain more flavour from the base “There are now a product. They have a more complex flavour profile enhanced by the use of plethora of modern raw materials and production techniques. flavoured vodkas” There are now a plethora of modern Flavoured vodkas flavoured vodkas that have been Flavoured vodkas have been around for infused, macerated, distilled or hundreds of years. Traditionally, herbs, percolated with mainly, but not spices, berries and honey were added to exclusively, fruits. mask the flavour of the spirit. SPIRIT COLLECTION ABOUT VODKA 15. // VODKA 16. PRODUCT RANGE Vodka from THE UK SPIRIT COLLECTION PRODUCT RANGE 17. “One martini is just right, two is too many, three is not enough” James Thurber // VODKA 18. PRODUCT RANGE SPIRIT COLLECTION PRODUCT RANGE 19. Sipsmith Sipping London, UK Base ingredient: English Wheat Strength: 40% Black Cow Launched: 2014 Signature serve: On the Rocks / Product Code: West Dorset, UK Base ingredient: Vesper Martini Cow’s Milk 00026156 Strength: 40% Brand fact: Size(s): Launched: 2012 Signature serve: The first distillery 70cl Pink Cow & Tonic in London for over Product Code: Distilled in copper, 200 years. 00031091 Brand fact: World’s first pure milk unfiltered in nature, Size(s): vodka, suitable for those Sipsmith Vodka employs 70cl a technique of capturing with a lactose intolerance just the heart of the run, as all the lactose is Made in West Dorset on meaning nothing artificial converted into alcohol. England’s south west gets added at the end of coast, Black Cow is the the distillation process. world’s first pure milk It’s a vodka that’s vodka, made from the therefore incredibly milk of grass-grazed smooth and retains cows and nothing else. a great deal of rich An award-winning, super character from the premium, crystal clear wheat base. vodka with a smooth and creamy character. // VODKA 20. PRODUCT RANGE Chase English Potato Herefordshire, UK Base ingredient: Potato Strength: 40% Chase Smoked Launched: 2008 Signature serve: Great Chase Product Code: Herefordshire, UK Base ingredient: Potato 00023839 Brand fact: Strength: 40% The UK’s first single Size(s): Launched: 2010 Signature serve: estate distillery, 70cl Smoky Mary producing spirits from Product Code: seed to bottle.