The Tasting Panel magazine

July 2016

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90  /  the tasting panel  /  july 2016 CATEGORY REPORT A Commitment to Excellence with Glass Vodka "Embracing my love of art and science, coupled with a sincere desire to create a high-end product that was different than anything else, was the catalyst to start my own business" explains Ian G. MacNeil, owner of Glass Distillery, about the idea behind the vodka. Beginning with a foundation rooted in commitment to the highest quality, Glass Vodka uses "only the best ingredients for the best possible product. We make a world-class product, and we happen to do that in Seattle." The decision to use grapes as the base of the vodka stems from his personal pride in Washington State as a world-class wine producing region. His longtime friendship with the CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates helps insure that Glass has a long-term supply of wine, the base for his distillation. The Glass Vodka line-up includes flavors like Glass Kona, Glass Nectar and Glass Spice—using Sri Lankan cin- namon, only the best, of course. A pre-mixed Bloody Mary Cocktail is in the development stage as well, using the brand's own proprietary blend of fire-roasted tomatoes. The Glass bottle denotes this vow to excellence as well, with its regal shape, healthy weight and one-of-a-kind stopper. MacNeil designed the bottle and label himself, desiring "something beautiful and elegant but simple and classy—a bottle so special that people would want to keep it. And the liquid inside the bottle must be of the same superiority." The distillery itself, located in the SODO area of Seattle, has garnered accolades, as it is a spectacular space with the stills on dis- play. Glass Vodka employs both pot and column stills in production, taking advantage of flavor and texture from the pot still as well as a clean, higher proof (40% ABV) spirit from the column stills. The biggest difference in Glass vodka's production method is that they do not charcoal filter, a common practice when making vodka. Instead, they use diatomaceous earth, a process similar to that used in the production of fine wines. This process polishes the product so that it sparkles in the bottle. "We love the nose, and we love the flavor. We don't want to strip anything from it," articulates MacNeil. Glass Vodka (SRP $45) is currently available along the West Coast and in major East Coast and Midwest markets, with new state representation on the way, even with a production of just a few thousand cases. With a budding future ahead, and larger production attainable, Glass Vodka is paving its own way, with standards that ensure the best quality by every measure. —Allyson Gorsuch Tasting Notes White chocolate and bread dough are complex starters for this durable grape-based vodka. Mouth-filling and texturally round, the base notes of clay and vanilla bean are serious contenders with a whisper of white pepper on the finish. —M. M. GLASS DISTILLERY

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