Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/142283
LUXURY BRANDS Mixing, Russian Style by Monique Farah / photos by Rob Brown BELUGA NOBLE VODKA: PERFECT FOR THE AMERICAN PALATE, YET CLASSICALLY RUSSIAN B eluga Russian Vodka is one of the top-ranked luxury vodkas in Russia, boldly known as the "anti-flavor" vodka. In accordance with a century-old recipe, malted wheat from an environmentally pure region of Siberia is fermented naturally without any synthetic additions and later combined with the purest artesian water from Siberian springs to create a finish that is both clean and crisp, with subtle hints of natural flavor adding to its complexity. Today, of the four Beluga blends, just two are available in the United States: Beluga Noble and Beluga Gold Line, double- and triple-filtered respectively, and then given time to "rest" so the flavors can mature. Although tradition is incredibly important to the Beluga brand, today the brand works with some of the best mixologist in the industry, putting Beluga in a new place—at the top of many signature cocktail lists. "We see that mixology culture in the United States is booming, and our fellow mixologists are coming up with more and more creative, unique cocktails using ingredients that work really well with Beluga," says Yegor Proskuryakov, CEO of Beluga Vodka, North America. Historically considered perfect when served up with a single olive, today Beluga is getting the gourmet treatment both in Russia and around the U.S. At mixology-forward hotel InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, East meets West with Beluga vodka. 110 / the tasting panel / july 2013 TP0713_100-148.indd 110 6/24/13 6:03 PM