1. 5 times
distilled
STATUS Original
114 year old
distillery
Vodka
Produced and B ottled at source Zlatogor Distillery UKRAINE
TASTING NOTES:
NOSE: Vodka Straight up
subtle with hints of floral
meadows and a dash of Europeans have been drinking to remove many of the unwanted Vodka.
aniseed. Vodka for centuries and appreciate impurities and hangover-causing
Vodkas made from Rye, such as
Vodka straight up in a small shot congeners. These processes
STATUS, are considered
glass without ice. Until recently, not increase smoothness and crispness.
PALATE: undoubtedly most superior.
many people outside Europe In general, the more times a vodka
initially light with soft
recognized that they could enjoy is distilled and filtered, the greater
creaminess, before open-
ing mid-way to a balance the complexities of Vodka in the degree of purity it will achieve.
of savoury and spice. same way they consume Scotch
Background
whisky.
Encyclopaedia Britannica states that
FINISH:
Vodkas can be distilled from a Vodka originated in Russia during
sweet and clean with a
variety of ingredients, however the the 14th century. It is believed to
lingering smoothness.
high quality vodkas are usually have originated in the grain-growing
distilled from a single ingredient region that now embraces the
NO Bite, NO Burn such as rye. Ukraine and surrounding countries
Remarkably smooth known as the Vodka Belt.
Wheat vodkas are often stronger
and robust and rye vodkas are more Vodka is now one of the world's
HISTORY Those Vodkas made from potatoes,
smoother and lightly spicy, while most popular spirits. It was rarely
potato vodkas tend to have a molasses, soybeans, corn grains,
Around 1430 a monk consumed outside Europe before
creamy texture and little taste. grapes, rice, sugar beets and some-
called Isidore from the 1950s. By 1975, vodka sales in
times even by-products of oil refin-
Chudov Monastery inside the United States overtook those of
The highest quality vodkas are also ing or wood pulp processing make
the Moscow Kremlin bourbon, previously the most
distilled and filtered multiple times up the rather dubious remainder,
made a recipe of the first popular hard liquor and the native
with Poland allowing production of
Russian Vodka using spirit of the country.
some Vodkas by just fermenting a
grain. Having a special
Vodka can be distilled from any solution of crystal sugar and yeast.
knowledge and the
starch/sugar-rich plant matter. This latter method has surprisingly
distillation devices he
However, the age old caution “You been widely adopted, in the last
became an author of the
only get out what you put in” could decade, by global productions in the
new type of alcoholic
never be more apt than with the US, Australia, the East and South
beverage of a new, higher
choice of ingredients to making Africa.
quality. This "bread wine"
as it was initially known,
was produced for a long
time exclusively in the
Medals and Awards
Grand Duchy of Moscow Since its global appearance STATUS Vodka has been amassing its fare share
and in no other of medals and awards, and is fast becoming a front running
principality of Rus' (this contender in its categories.
situation persisted until
the era of industrial Gold Medal—ACCO International 2009
production). That's why Gold Medal—Alco-Soft 2009
this beverage for a long Best in Trade Award—Paris 2009
time was associated with Bronze Medal—World Beverage Competition—2007
Moscow.
By the 1860s it became Rated 92 points out of 100 with a
the drink of choice for distinction of “exceptional” by the Beverage
many Russians. Tasting Institute in the USA.

2. Vodka 101: Taste and Quality
Ingredients, distillation and filtration are the three important things that determine Vodka's general calibre, price and
its taste. Based on the type and quality of the ingredients, smoothness gets better and worse. Corn, potatoes, molasses,
barley, rye and wheat are the common ingredients for Vodka. Vodkas made from corn tend to be fairly neutral in taste
but submit a burn; those made from wheat have a softer, smoother character, and rye has the smoothest, softest
palate allowing for defined taste.
Vodka Grades: A Quick Guide to Profile and Prices
Category Entry Proprietary Premium Ultra-Premium
Typical Corn, milo, sorghum Corn, milo, sorghum A single, better quality A single, better quality
Ingredients and other inexpen- and other inexpen- ingredient like potato, ingredient most likely
sive sources of starch sive sources of starch soy or wheat rye grain.
Distillation 2 - 3 columns 2 - 3 columns 2 - 4 columns 2 - 6 columns
Filtration Typically none None or simple char- None to more in- Charcoal to very com-
You only coal filtering volved charcoal filter- plex filtering
ing
get out
what Taste Burns A little burny, no Less burny to some- True smoothness,
individual character what smooth, can more pronounced
you put
exhibit individual individual character
in. character
STATUS . . .
take a closer
look at the Vodka
Vodka and the EU
The recent global increase in non This regulation was adopted by Either way, take a closer look at
in your local store rye or grain based Vodka being the European Parliament on June the Vodka in your local store and
produced in the United States, 19, 2007 be amazed at how few vodkas
Southern Africa, and other parts are original, authentic or even
and be amazed at
of the world, has prompted The new regulation leaves the from a country that invented it.
traditional vodka producers to current definition of Vodka You will be startled at how even
how few vodkas campaign for EU legislation that unchanged, however, what it those you thought “must” be
will categorize only spirits made does change, is the labeling authentic, will have a “Produced
are original. from grain or potato as “Vodka” requirements: in effect, Vodka in South Africa” statement on it
rather than spirits made from just made from grain or potatoes will as it is most likely made in Kwa-
any ethyl alcohol—produced, for henceforth be labeled simply as Zulu Natal out of sugar cane and/
example, by apples , sugar cane Vodka. Vodka based on other raw or have on the label that it is
the water used for the and grapes or the low grade left materials, meanwhile, will have made from something other than
over mash after making wine, as to bear the indication "produced it’s authentic ingredient—Rye.
production of STATUS the high grade mash is used for from" supplemented by the
is so pure, that it is also Brandy. name of the raw material used.
used for
production of mineral The Distillery
water. Zolotonosha Zlatogor distillery is Making use of natural deep Ukrainian Distillery making over
one of the oldest companies in artesian wells, the water used for 50 alcoholic beverages which
the alcoholic beverage industry in the production of STATUS is so include Vodkas, flavoured Vodkas
the Ukraine. ( Cherkassy region, pure, that it is also used for and liqueurs. They are exported
Zolotonosha ) production of mineral water. throughout Europe, the Middle
The company, founded in 1896 , Together with high quality rye East, United States and now into
continuing to obey traditions and grain, the result is a Vodka at its South Africa.
secret recipes, increases the purest form.
production of high-quality
experience. Zlatogor is a 114 year old
To taste different vodkas, use a small shot glass and serve chilled. Start with the aroma. The lesser ones smell a bit like rubbing alcohol. Hold it in your
mouth for a short while, then swallow. The top vodkas should be very smooth with very little burn.
And finally, you decide how you like it. That is what it’s all about.
Orders: CT 121 982 2665 JHB 011 794 3555 KZN 031 705 1445