Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/413994
124 / the tasting panel / november 2014 B efore creating his own vodka brand in 2012, Sergei Gremeniuk, owner of Platinka Vodka, kept bringing vodka back from his homeland, Belarus—where he lived until he was 24—and he got the same reaction from everyone who tried it: "They were blown away by its quality and value," explains Gremeniuk. "That is when I really noticed the gaps in the vodka category in the U.S." What he was looking for was a clean vodka that still maintained the flavor of its distillate, but wasn't trying to charge an arm and a leg. Since he could not find a vodka within a premium category that satisfied his palate, Gremeniuk looked to Belarus and a 115-year-old distillery to create one that would. "Belarus is in the center of the 'vodka belt' sitting between two great vodka countries—Poland and Russia—but more importantly, it has a great tradi- tion for quality, as well as strictly adhering to the most proper ways of produc- ing the spirit. It is a country that is very proud of its vodka craftsmanship—they do not settle." Made with 100 percent rye, five-times-distilled, and produced using platinum filtration—meaning the vodka passes through a platinum filtration system in addition to the carbon filter (only a few countries/brands use this unique method in their vodka production)—Platinka Vodka has such a creamy, smooth mouth- feel that won it a Double Gold medal and Best Vodka of Show at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, before it had even reached the U.S. market. Gremeniuk contributes this success in a competitive category to the vodka's flavor profile: "Many vodkas on the market are for mixing, either too neutral or too strong—Platinka rests somewhere in between. It has a great smooth taste of rye, especially for the $19.99/750-ml price tag, and can be enjoyed straight." Being a rye vodka, Platinka has also reached outside of the typical vodka connoisseurs and struck a chord with whiskey drinkers or anyone who prefers a nice malt flavor—perfectly aligning with the craft whiskey boom that the industry is experiencing. Although it's currently only available in Tennessee and Minnesota, Gremeniuk has his sights set on expanding, predominantly to the coasts, and is searching for the right distributor partnerships. Looks like we should brace ourselves for a Belarusian invasion! efore creating his own vodka brand in 2012, Sergei Gremeniuk, owner of Platinka Vodka, kept bringing vodka back from his homeland, Belarus—where he lived until he was 24—and he got the same reaction from everyone who tried it: "They were blown away by its quality and value," explains Gremeniuk. "That is when I really noticed the gaps in the vodka category in the U.S." What he was looking for was a clean vodka that still maintained the flavor of its distillate, but wasn't trying to charge an arm Since he could not find a vodka within a premium category that satisfied his palate, Gremeniuk looked to Belarus and a 115-year-old distillery to create one that would. "Belarus is in the center of the 'vodka belt' sitting between two great vodka countries—Poland and Russia—but more importantly, it has a great tradi- tion for quality, as well as strictly adhering to the most proper ways of produc- ing the spirit. It is a country that is very proud of its vodka craftsmanship—they Made with 100 percent rye, five-times-distilled, and produced using platinum filtration—meaning the vodka passes through a platinum filtration system in addition to the carbon filter (only a few countries/brands use this unique method in their vodka production)—Platinka Vodka has such a creamy, smooth mouth- feel that won it a Double Gold medal and Best Vodka of Show at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, before it had even reached the U.S. market. Gremeniuk contributes this success in a competitive category to the vodka's flavor profile: "Many vodkas on the market are for mixing, either too neutral or too strong—Platinka rests somewhere in between. It has a great smooth taste of rye, especially for the $19.99/750-ml price tag, and can be enjoyed straight." Being a rye vodka, Platinka has also reached outside of the typical vodka connoisseurs and struck a chord with whiskey drinkers or anyone who prefers a nice malt flavor—perfectly aligning with the craft whiskey boom that the available in Tennessee and Minnesota, Gremeniuk has his sights set on expanding, predominantly to the coasts, and is searching for the right distributor partnerships. Looks like we should brace ourselves for a Metals Precious PLATINKA VODKA CREATES AN EXCEPTIONAL SPIRIT BY BLENDING TRADITION WITH MODERN TECHNIQUES by Emily Coleman