Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/661678
126 / the tasting panel / april 2016 A Spirited Waltz: CHOPIN POTATO VODKA A True Texan: TITO'S HANDMADE VODKA Daniel Kang, bartender at The Gladly in Phoenix. Mari How, bartender at Scottsdale's Cowboy Ciao and Counter Intuitive. Vitamin C Minor ◗ 2 oz. Chopin Vodka ◗ ¼ oz. Cynar ◗ ½ oz. orange juice ◗ ½ oz. honey syrup ◗ 2 dashes orange bitters CHOPIN IMPORTS Feelin' Spicy & Prickly in Texas ◗ 2 oz. Tito's Handmade Vodka ◗ ½ oz. Marie Brizard Parfait Amour ◗ ½ oz. ginger syrup ◗ 3-4 dashes chili orange bitters ◗ ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice ◗ Barspoon prickly pear syrup ◗ Orange peel for garnish FIFTH GENERATION, INC. Named after the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and launched in 1992, the family behind Chopin Vodka sought to disprove the myth that vodka was a flavorless, neutral spirit without any distinctive attributes. Their answer to this misconception, Chopin Potato Vodka, uses potatoes grown in the south of Poland and is four-times distilled in small batches at the distillery located in Krzesk, Poland, which Chopin acquired and restored in 2003. It's music to the palate! TASTING NOTES: "A dry cocktail, perfect for vodka drinkers looking for something different than the usual sugary drinks. The vodka is easy on the palate, very smooth and mellow." —Tiffany Eldredge "Love the bitter notes in the cocktail; they played well with the potato vodka. The vodka has notes of vanilla bean and black pepper that end in a creamy finish." —Bill Degroot What started as a hobby turned into a thriving spirit company when Tito Beveridge decided to create a flavored vodka that was so good, you could drink it straight. The distillery in Austin claims the title of Texas's oldest legal distillery. The vodka is made from yellow corn—it's certified gluten-free—and is distilled six times in old-fashioned pot stills. Since its inception, it's taken the Lone Star State and the rest of the country by storm! TASTING NOTES: "Very pretty cocktail and presentation over- all. The complexity between the sweet and spicy notes made this an exquisite delight. It brought out the delicate flavors of the vodka." —Wednesday Novak "The cocktail showcases the spirit while playing in the Texas theme. A grassy, licorice nose leads into a creamy palate with spiced and pepper hints when tasted neat." —Meridith May