Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/343109
july 2014 / the tasting panel / 65 ing with a spirit with a nice complex profile, especially vodka, as it's not an opportunity we often have with this spirit." Bar consultant Pamela Wiznitzer agrees, calling it a "wonderfully- crafted vodka." She continues: "It is a shame to fully cover up the taste of the spirit. I love that Purity sticks to just being a vodka. No flavors, no addi- tional additives. Just pure vodka." Purity Vodka was ten years in the making, with Kuuttanen designing a proprietary vodka still made of copper and gold at the 13th-c entury Ellinge Castle in the south of Sweden and crafting the right balance of certified organic ingredients: wheat for its crispness and elegance, and barley for flavor and complexity. He declined listing other ingredients or the propor- tions, saying, "We have three secrets within our company, and they have to do with the recipe." But he did allow this: "Purity is a multi-ingredient vodka. To me, you cannot make a meal from one single ingredient." This philosophy extends to his distilling practice: Purity is distilled 34 times, a process during which 90 percent of the liquid is discarded, leaving what he calls the "Perfect Cut," or best ten percent behind. Kuuttanen, who studied economics and law, said he tried every number in the book, settling on 34 as his personal Golden Mean of distillation. "My idea was to create a vodka that has all the qualities you expect to find in a modern day vodka—clean, crisp and elegant. But at the same time I wanted to bring in elements you normally find in brown spirits— character and complexity, texture and mouth feel." And to the distiller's point, Julian Bruell of TriBeCa Grill, noted, "Purity Vodka's full-bodied characteris- tics make it work as an interesting substitution in traditional strong dark-spirited drinks." It's this versatility that makes Purity Vodka a true standout amid a sea of sweets and lesser quality products, and for Kuuttanen, the battle for ultra- premium vodka will continue to rage on. "There are very good vodkas. But we want more players in this space. To be the only one fighting that battle is difficult," he said. James Cottingham, owner, Infirmary NYC Purity Plus: Purity offers a unique spicy mineral and fresh citrus feel, yet doesn't fall short on body and boldness; making it great both on its own as well as a pairing agent to fresh juices and other liqueurs. Must-have tool: A great barback. Pamela Wiznitzer, Bartender at Dead Rabbit Purity Plus: The level of distillation leaves you with a product that is not only enjoyable to sip neat but also helps to lengthen flavors when mixed in a cocktail. Must-have tool: My arms. They are the most important tools to make a well-shaken cocktail.