Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/91577
CATEGORY REPORT HERE COME THE SPUDS VESICA CHOPIN Traditionally, wheat, rye and potatoes are the primary ingredients used when making vodka. Instead of focusing on just one of these, Chopin took on the challenge of conquering all three profiles, starting with potato. Since its founding in 1992, Chopin has become one of the most dominant potato vodkas on the market. Using the same process of four-times-distilled through a simple copper column still, and five-times-filtered, Chopin produced two more vodkas that each has its own unique character: Chopin Rye and Chopin Wheat. Chopin's unique Single Ingredient Vodka Collection is definitely a powerhouse in the spirits game. What started out as a small family distillery is now producing 8,000 bottles a day but still retains a hand-crafted appeal. The first-born and most traditional in the family is potato, produced in Podlasie, Poland from mid-September into early December. This naturally gluten-free vodka is crafted from potatoes grown by select local farmers and free of chemicals or pesticides. They harvest late in the season to ensure a richer flavor from the high starch content Chopin Potato is what I like to call a "full circle vodka": It starts off incredibly clean and then transitions into a slight lingering sweetness on the top of the tongue. The sweetness fades as it transitions back to clean. It's incredibly subtle, as it lightly dances on the palate. The newest member of the portfolio, made with 100% Polish wheat, Chopin Wheat seems to be the rebel of the family. It delivers a mineral flavor for the first few seconds that glides across the top of the tongue and then breaks into a clean crispness. It's incredibly bold and sharp in all the right ways, completely defying the subtleties of the other two Chopin expressions. Chopin Rye is the peacemaker of the group, taking notes from both, while maintaining its own identity. Made from the finest locally grown golden rye, It has an earthy full flavor that rolls on the top of the tongue and continues to the back of the throat with a slight spice. Chopin Imports Ltd. 120 / the tasting panel / november 2012 Vesica Vodka is a great combina- tion of tradition and innovation. This three times, column- distilled Polish potato vodka is filtered through a cutting-edge activated-carbon process. They first remove all impurities; then, after the water is added, it goes through a state-of-the-art "ceramic candle" process to give clarity to the finished vodka. Vesica is also gluten-free. Although Vesica is incredibly clean, with virtually no bite, it has a slight warming hint of earthi- ness that opens up at the end. It is surprisingly complex for how delicate the body is. Potato vodkas usually follow a grainy, hearty profile; Vesica maintains such a smooth, light finish that it's almost hard to believe it's made from potatoes. Adamba Imports International