Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/164544
Tales from Tales THE SPIRITS INDUSTRY LIVES AT TALES OF THE COCKTAIL I A Tales Taste Test PHOTO: FRED MINNICK I t's not often you walk into a Tales of the Cocktail tasting room and find that the star product is being poured side by side with its top competitors. Such is the case, however, with Purity Vodka, a brand so confident that it will beat other vodkas in a blind side-by-side taste test that its tasting room revolves around it. The Purity Vodka tasting room saw more than 500 people come through to blindtaste Purity vodka next to a vodka The score says it all. of their choice, including brands such as Grey Goose, Ketel One and Cîroc. Each pour was labeled with a blacklight marker, which, when revealed, saw well over 60% of tasters choose Purity Vodka over the competing brands. "We are confident that the industry and the bartenders love Purity Vodka," comments Thomas Kuuttanen, Master Blender for the brand. "It is a vodka with great character and smoothness, and a trained palate will recognize that neat," he says. Also on hand was John Pomeroy, Brand Ambassador for Purity Vodka, who was happy to stand next to the blown up cover of the July issue of THE TASTING PANEL, which brought together mixologists from across the country who prefer Purity Vodka. "The response has been simply incredible," says Pomeroy. —Rachel Burkons PHOTO: FRED MINNICK n its eleventh year, Tales of the Cocktail continued its dominance as the spirit industry's must-attend event, filled with educational seminars, innovative tasting rooms and many, many impromptu meetings of the minds between the industry's finest—all in celebration of spirits. THE TASTING PANEL team had the opportunity to meet with some of the faces who are shaking up the spirits world. In the next few pages, we'll take you inside some of our one-on-one meetings, as well as delve into the action in some of the hottest tasting rooms and events. Join us as we recall Tales 2013—we're already looking forward to seeing you all there next year. Purity Vodka Master Blender Thomas Kuuttanen. 110 / the tasting panel / september 2013 TP0913_104-156.indd 110 8/22/13 10:31 PM