Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/49694
"The mixologists we've worked with are responding to the fact that the way Beluga is produced is, in our opinion, more natural than the way many other vodkas are produced," he says. "Beluga is made with the technology that avoids adding synthetic enzymes in the production process. While mixologists as well as savvy retailers appreciate distinctive packages that enable the customer to ask for a vodka by name, it's just as important for us to ensure that everybody's decisions about what's inside are made with care and not for that quick sale. This is why we let Beluga Noble rest for 30 days and the Beluga Gold Line rest for 90 days after the bottling is completed. Then we can place the metal fish onto every bottle manually—and with confidence." From the mixologist crafting a cocktail to a retailer making a recommendation to a picky customer, Proskuryakov notes that shared desire for perfection has brought him and his U.S. team to a clear understanding that everything, from the first touch to the last sip, must flow smoothly. Name: Luis Sanchez Port of Call: Nic's Martini Lounge, Beverly Hills, CA THE DOUBLE GOLD ■ ■ 2 oz. Beluga Gold Line Vodka ■ ■ ■ 2 oz. fresh-pressed Gold Rush apple juice (prepared on premise) ½ oz. lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon verbena crema* Garnish: thin candied apple slice ■ Combine apple juice, lemon juice and Beluga in a shaker and strain into a tall glass. Spoon a teaspoon of the lemon verbena crema on top and arrange the garnish on the top. *Lemon verbena crema: Whipped cream infused with lemon verbena tea and a pinch of sugar. The Hook: "About a year ago, I was walking through a high-end liquor store near my home and was drawn to a bottle of Beluga on the shelf. I brought this bottle of vodka to work, and as it turned out, Yegor had come to introduce us to Beluga. Larry Nicola and I tasted the regular and Beluga Gold together, and we knew Beluga was the perfect fit. Our signa- ture, the Nic's Martini, is now made with Beluga." Why Beluga? "I prefer using Beluga Vodka because of how pure and smooth it is. It is not only the perfect vodka for mixing, but it brings an added dimension of luxury to Nic's and the Vodbox. We serve Russian and domestic vodkas, so adding Beluga to our selection, along with fine Russian and international cuisine, helps us further brand ourselves as the place to go for the best vodka in the world. If somebody puts this much effort into crafting a high-quality vodka like this, it is only fair to the distillers that I create cocktails with the same level of high quality ingredients and creativity." nicsbeverlyhills.com december 201 1 / the tasting panel / 35 Luis Sanchez of Nic's Martini Lounge.