“There are only two absolutes in life: friends and vodka. And the best times usually involve both” ~ Unknown
May's event, "To Russia with Love", or "Women Who Wodka", was hosted by Daryl on May 6, 2016. The event was a vodka tasting at The Independent Distillery in Tucson. Eleven ladies attended. We started out by parking at Mercado San Agustin off Congress and taking the trolley to 6th and Broadway where we disembarked and looked for a street, okay an alley, called Arizona Ave.
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| LtoR - Debbie, Christy, Cathy, Vicky, Judy and Kelly |
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| LtoR - Susie, Pam and Connie |
A short walk down the alley is the door to The Independent Distillery.
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| This is the place! |
Once inside, we were charmed by the interior and loved the open access to the inner courtyard nestled between Johnny Gibson's Downtown Market, The Independent Distillery and HighWire Lounge. In fact, some of the ladies disappeared quickly into the market before the tasting even began. Don't get in between a woman and her shopping!
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| The Independent Distillery bar |
Johnny Gibson's catered our event with a Mediterranean Platter and accompanying sweets. We're tasting vodka, you know. Must have sustenance first!
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| Mediterranean Platter |
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| Sweets to tempt the palate! |
Ben, the bar manager, conducted our vodka tasting for us. He was a great host for our vodka tasting. Knowledgeable, friendly, attentive and cute to boot!
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| Ben, Bar Manager, talking about Square One Vodka |
Below are Ben's prepared notes for how to taste vodka.
What to look for While Tasting:To appreciate the beauty of vodka, one must drink it straight up in a chimney-style glass and freezer cold, which brings it to its proper viscosity and flavor. There are three senses involved in tasting of vodka: sight, smell and taste.
Appearance: Hold the vodka glass up to the light and look at its clarity, texture and luminescence. Note whether there are any unusual characteristics, such as bluish, yellow or green tints. Fine vodka has a thick and creamy texture when frozen. Also observe the "legs", the trails the spirit leaves as it washes against the inside of the glass.
Aroma or nose: As you swirl the vodka in your glass, smell the vodka. Good vodka will have a creamy, sweet or grainy fragrance. Bad vodka will smell medicinal or agressive with a harsh odor of ethyl spirits.
Taste: Sip the drink gently and examine the taste and any other sensations, such as the characteristic "burn" of alcohol. Let the vodka rest on your palate while exhaling through your nose; swallow and note the aftertaste. Is the sensation sweet or dry, complex or simple? Is the texture oily, chewy or clean? Note whether the flavor and sensation fill the whole mouth or only parts of it.
Consider the aftertaste. Each brand will have a surprisingly unique second life after you swallow or spit. The finish or aftertaste should linger, perhaps for several seconds. Lower-quality vodka will have a short aftertaste. Next, cleanse your palate with spring water and down a sip without letting ti linger in your mouth. Compare the two experiences and their aftertastes.
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| LtoR - Kelly, Vicky (partially hidden), Christy and Cathy Notice the devilish grins on each! |
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| LtoR - Daryl and Pam We are behaving on our side of the lounge. |
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| LtoR - Daryl, Pam and Connie Let the tasting begin! |
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| LtoR - Kelly, Vicky, Christy and Cathy |
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| Pam and Connie make their own version of chocolate martinis with brownies and vodka! |
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| LtoR - Arizona Grape Vodka, Aylesbury Duck Vodka, Square One Organic Vodka and Tito's Handmade Vodka |
Ben had us taste 4 different brands of vodka:
- Tito's Handmade Vodka - Corn
- Square One Organic Vodka - Rye
- Aylesbury Duck Vodka - White Winter Wheat
- Arizona Grape Vodka - Grapes...Grapes? Who knew?!
We all had our favorite vodka, and, of course, began to experiment with olives and such for our own vodka creations!
Once we completed tasting the four vodkas straight, Ben prepared one of the Distillery's signature smashes, a mixture of vodka, simple syrup, thyme and blueberries. Yum-o!
Yes, just look at the smiles on those faces!
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| LtoR - Kelly and Vicky sharing giggles! |
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| LtoR - Christy and Cathy |
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| LtoR - Ruth and Debbie |
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| LtoR - Daryl, Pam and Connie |
After the tasting, we strolled over to Johnny Gibson's to settle the catering bill and shop for a bit. Mike says his pulled pork sandwich was delicious!
A quick trolley ride back to the Mercado and home again we jiggity-jogged.
За нашу дружбу! - To our friendship!
Here's to dirty martinis!
Here's to dirty martinis!
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