Iceberg Vodka (112)Imagine trying to lasso a 15-story floating iceberg. Crazy? That's just what the people of Newfoundland thought until businessman Gary Pollack changed their minds.
Pollack first thought of extracting water from 12,000-year-old icebergs in 1990 but it wasn't until 1995 that the dangerous job of harvesting icebergs commenced. Pollack's Canadian Iceberg Vodka Corp. harvests masses of ice that are so pure pesticides, herbicides and other organic pollutants can't be detected even when measured by parts per billion.
This pure water is combined with triple-distilled, neutral-grain spirits produced from the highest-grade Ontario sweet corn. The vodka is then blended and bottled by the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation, which maintains the highest standard of product quality control.
A check with a local liquor store found that Iceberg Vodka is mid-priced at $16 for 750 ml, compared to Smirnoff, which retails at $11.99, and Grey Goose, distilled and bottled in France, at $29.99.
- The average size of an iceberg is 100,000-200,000 tons — around the size of a 15-story building.
- Icebergs are so pure that pesticides, herbicides and other organic pollutants can't be detected even when measured by parts per billion.
- Sweet corn grain is shipped from Ontario, Canada and blended with the iceberg water.
- A good vodka should taste soft, creamy and smooth. It shouldn't be bitter or burn your palate.
To enhance your vodka experience:
- Put the vodka it in the freezer overnight, and pop your glass in the freezer for an hour.
- Pour a healthy shot of frozen vodka.
- Let the vodka warm up slightly by holding the glass in your hand, which will take off a bit of the freeze. If vodka is too cold, it will freeze your taste buds and you won't get a good tasting. If it is too warm, the flavor mix becomes too complex and the dominant flavor less discernible.
- Taste the shot a couple of times, first just a sip that sits on your palate as you exhale through your nose.
- Cleanse your palate with lukewarm water, and then take a shot straight down.
- Compare the two experiences and the aftertaste--you'll be surprised at how complex vodka really is!
Iceberg Vodka Corporation
416-443-6200
www.icebergvodka.net
Ed Kanes, Iceberg harvester
709-834-1162, mottakm1@attcanada.ca
Scademia Adventure Tours
scademia@scademia.com, www.netfx.ca/scademia
Famous tour boat, a 90-foot two-mast Grand Bank Schooner for viewing icebergs and/or whales
Cape Spear Lighthouse
www.lorneslights.com
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