Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/413994
november 2014 / the tasting panel / 127 ? WHAT'S LEFT TO SAY ABOUT VODKA M eticulous attention to detail—especially in the saturated and competitive vodka market—is crucial when hoping to stand out from the crowd and provide consumers with a unique, quality spirit. ZYR Vodka's founder, David Katz, understood this need as he scoured Russia and visited more than 40 grain alcohol distilleries in search of the perfect ingredients to source and to bring to distillation. Developing a process to control the entire cycle, from grain selection and fermentation, to distillation and filtering, Katz ensures that there's no deviation and guarantees the same great taste in every single drop of ZYR. While attention to packaging should never be neglected, ZYR prides itself more on its liquid—and the accolades it has garnered—than anything else. The sweet and subtle coating of the palate with absolutely zero harshness is distinguishably ZYR, while the velvety texture of ZYR's finish is similar to some of the most luscious desserts. It is already racking up awards, including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 100 points in Wine Enthusiast. —Brian Kustera POSEIDON VODKA CARRIES ON THE LEGACY OF POLISH DISTILLERS WITH AN ALL-AMERICAN LUXURY VODKA T here's no denying one's heritage when it comes to preference and passion for a specific spirit. Born and raised in Poland, where his family's been involved in the vodka business since the 1800s, the founder and CEO of Poseidon Vodka (whose name is under wraps for now), has lived and breathed vodka his entire life, and today he carries on this legacy through his unwavering commitment and love for his native nation and family's favorite spirit. As the name suggests, Poseidon Vodka is truly a spirit of legacy and power. Relying on the secrets of many generations of Polish distillers, Poseidon's production team searched the world for the perfect combination of pure water, premium local ingredients and a propri- etary distillation system that would all come together to create the "god of all vodkas"—they found this vodka nirvana in Oregon's high desert mountains. So while this premium vodka may have some strong Polish roots, make no mistake, Poseidon Vodka is 100% American. Crisp, slightly detectable sweetness that leads to a noticeably soft and silky passage to the back of the mouth and ends with a clean finish, Poseidon Vodka tells the story of Poland's 600-year tradition of hand-crafted vodka through an American luxury vodka. Made of American corn, five-times-distilled and ten-times-filtered with lava rocks from an inactive volcano, this is one vodka that is certain to impress even the most particular vodka connois- seurs. The tradition of superior Polish vodka lives on with Poseidon. —B. K. A Powerful Pour PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVOS BRANDS ZYR VODKA DOESN'T DEVIATE WHEN IT COMES TO QUALITY Down to the Last Drop