By Kathleen McDonald
The March meeting of the Bend Spirit Club was a fun mix of blindly tasting four vodkas. We then made yummy unique martinis with fresh fruit, chocolate (for dessert martini) and lots of different mixers. We had a nice spread of food that paired well with vodka.
I really enjoyed hosting this meeting because of the great group of friends who gathered. We had lots of laughs and great conversation while being educated about the vodka’s history and how it is made.
Jean-Marc XO
We first sampled the Jean-Marc XO Vodka. This luxury french vodka is distilled nine times in french 200-year old copper Alambic cognac stills. This hand crafted product of extraordinary quality provides not only a superior taste, but also a luxurious experience for vodka aficionados. With a floral bouquet, delicate and complex wheat flavors, a very long, smooth finish and absolutely no after burn.
This yummy vodka is sipping vodka, which is intended to be served neat at room temperature in a brandy snifter.
I think we all felt a little guilty mixing it in a flavored martini…..but, it didn’t stop us from doing so! approximately $60.00
Emerald
Next we sampled Emerald vodka from Canada. Emerald vodka is made from Canadian winter wheat and spring corn. Clean and pure. A classic style with faint grain and mineral notes. Notes of wet stone and citrus zest trail on the finish. This vodka makes a great dry vodka martini at a price point of approximately $35.00.
Stolichnaya Elit
Our third vodka was Stolichnaya Elit. This is an ultra luxury Russian vodka.
Nose: Mellow, enigmatic, fresh aniseed and sherbert with a rounder grainy arnish.
Palate: Evolves from light to medium-bodied with a distinguished creamy aniseed character, garnished with savory, lightly luscious spiciness and balancing dryness.
Finish: Subtle, spicy aniseed.
Why the high price point? Not sure, but I suppose it is the expensive, labor and time consuming procedure to filter the spirit at sub-zero temps reaching – 18c. The result is a wonderful tasting vodka with a high price point. approximately $60.00
Belvedere
Our last vodka we sampled before making martinis was Belvedere. Belvedere vodka is the world’s first super-premium Polish vodka.
This is a great vodka for mixing martinis, bloody mary or just a vodka tonic.
approximately $32.00
Nose: Faint hint of vanilla along with a gentle characteristics of soft cream.
Palate: Full and round with a medium body and a rich, velvety texture. Some vanilla swaying between sweet and savory, with a hint of white pepper and spice.
Finish: Good length with notes of almond.
A few facts about vodka:
* In the 15th century a type of vodka was used for making gunpowder in Sweden.
* The main reason why vodka became so popular in Russia was because the spirit never froze in the hard Russian winters. This is due to the high alcoholic content.
* One ounce of vodka has about 70 calories.
* Some people believe that drinking 3 ounces of vodka a day can purify the body.
* In the 1960’s the martini got a second boost from a man named Bond. Agent 007’s vodka martini, “shaken not stirred” catapulted this now-classic cocktail into instant stardom.
