Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/17414
AKVINTA A kvinta’s a stylish brand. Boasting relationships with top restaurants and bars on both coasts—from Per Se and Le Cirque in NYC to Nobu and First & Hope in L.A.—the brand also carries its pedigree around the world. It has a global relationship with Nobu and is the number two top-selling vodka in London. There are no additives to this import from Croatia, made utilizing pure water from Red Lake (Europe’s deepest) and strictly organic wheat from Italy. Filtration through charcoal, marble, silver, gold and plati- num removes impurities. USDA-certified organic and kosher, this luxury Mediterranean vodka impressed the panel. SRP $30; Great Western Brokerage Great Western Brokerage Company’s Vince Martin with Akvinta Brand Ambassador and L.A. Mixologist Alex Strauss. Our Panel Votes: Clarity of flavor; lemon-pepper, cocoa and basil. (MM) Full, brisk blackberry notes, clean lines. (BL) Smooth vanilla, some heat on the finish; clean and spicy, long and racy. (ADB) Clean, cucumber nose; lemon and berry with a touch of herb on the palate. (DO-G) Berries and spice; nice and smooth. (AD) BLUE ANGEL F rom the genius of inventor/entrepreneur Maurice Kanbar, who founded Skyy vodka, comes Blue Angel, packaged in a heaven-inspired bottle with its secret formula inside. “I use technology, a new process, to allow for flavor,” Kanbar says, entertaining the panel with his brilliant concept: molecu- lar changes that create an aged profile in this corn-based vodka. “It’s a constant experiment: a vodka without congeners— a vodka with exceptional smoothness.” His favorite way to drink Blue Angel is the Blue Angel Martini, aka the BAM, with olives. When asked how he came up with the brand’s name, Kanbar quipped, “I like to be close to heaven [hence the Skyy brand name] and angels are even closer, as opposed to kettles and geese.” SRP $20; Blue Angel Spirits LLC, San Francisco Our Panel Votes: Easy on the nose, weighty on the palate. Fruity with no heat. (MM) Sweet, fruity, very smooth and pure. (BL) Ultra-pure, gorgeous and mellow. (ADB) Sweet, forward flavors and rich texture with a soft peppery finish. (DO-G) Fruity and smooth—leaves you “breathless” [no alcohol breath]. (AD) The legendary Maurice Kanbar with his new vodka, Blue Angel. october 2010 / the tasting panel / 73