Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/142283
COVER STORY PURITY VODKA BRINGS A CATEGORY BACK TO LIFE by Rachel Burkons / photos by Daniel Krieger It's no secret that vodka is a divisive category: While it remains the most popular spirits category among U.S. consumers, many in the craft cocktail and mixology community have spent the past decade turning their noses up at vodka, calling it a characterless spirit that builds characterless cocktails. Fortunately, the tide is turning as bartenders and spirits-lovers around the world are embracing the vodka category once again. One brand in particular has spearheaded this movement, proving that vodka doesn't need to be a characterless category and that not all vodkas are created equal: Purity Vodka. At New York City's Café Noir, some of the top bartenders from around the country gathered to toast Purity Vodka: Russell Davis, Beverage Director, Bergerac and Audio, San Francisco; Phil Casaceli, owner, DADDY-O, NYC; Pamela Wiznitzer, bartender at Dead Rabbit in NYC; Thomas Kuuttanen, Master Blender, Purity Vodka; John Pomeroy, Brand Ambassador, Purity Vodka; John Lermayer, Head Bartender, Regent Cocktail Club, Miami; Enzo Lim owner/partner at Maharlika and Jeepney, NYC; Frank Stilo, Beverage Director at NYC's Cafe Noir; Brian Matthys, Head Bartender, Le Bernardin, NYC. july 2013 / the tasting panel / 67 TP0713_066-99.indd 67 6/24/13 5:48 PM