The Tasting Panel magazine

May 2017

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may 2017  /  the tasting panel  /  93 story. Knowing there is someone out there making stuff this good without being part of some huge multinational company is pretty inspiring." While the company has seen many changes and expansions over the past 20 years, the vodka has remained the same spirit designed to be so smooth you can drink it straight. It's still made using corn and limestone-filtered water; it is distilled using pot stills and is carbon filtered. Tito hasn't ventured into flavors or other spirits; he focuses on his vodka and on continuing to make it well. That doesn't mean that Tito's doesn't encourage bartenders to use the spirit in creative concoctions. Besides its runaway success in Moscow Mules, the brand has seen its product used in inventive infusions across the country, including pineapple-vanilla, cantaloupe- mint (Portwood's personal favorite) and bacon-jalapeño, which they recommend putting in a Bloody Mary. In his early days at the distillery, Tito spent many days alone with his dog, Dogjo, with strays coming by to enjoy Tito's company and Dogjo's food. Tito has now found homes for more than 60 of these dogs with the help of the low- and no-cost spay/neuter and wellness services of Emancipet, a nonprofit which has spayed or neutered nearly 250,000 dogs and cats since 1999. Now that his company has become estab- lished, Tito returns the generosity that Emancipet showed him by donating all proceeds from pet-related merchandise sold through the Tito's Handmade Vodka online store and partnering with them to raise awareness and funds on an ongoing basis. After all, what could be more American than giving back once you've realized your own American dream? —Emily Coleman may 2017 /  the tasting panel Tito Beveridge, founder and owner of Tito's Handmade Vodka. PHOTO COURTESY OF TITO'S HOMEMADE VODKA Tito's Handmade Vodka Smooth, lush and rich with vanilla, dense texture, clean and lovely with a long, rich finish. 92 —Anthony Dias Blue "Knowing there isomeone out there makingtuff this good without being part ofome huge multinational company is prey inspiring."

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