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Tito's Vodkaby Allen
Before the 1950s, one rarely saw vodka in this country. By the mid 70s, it had overtaken bourbon as the number one spirit here. Its neutral flavor mixes perfectly with and complements other ingredients.
Vodka begins with the fermentation of a range of possible sugar/starch sources like wheat, corn, rye, potatoes, sorghum, and others. Multiple distillations refine the product, concentrating the alcohol content and removing impurities. Most producers also filter the product. At this stage, the product can be 90% alcohol or more (180 proof!). Producers add water to reach legally-defined and potable levels. In the US, vodka must be 40 percent alcohol (80 proof), less for flavored ones. The European Union sets the mark a little lower. Plain vodkas are not strongly flavored but that does not mean they are flavorless. Cleanness, purity, and smoothness mark the best vodkas. Tito’s stands as our case in point. Tito’s Vodka relies on the handiwork of Tito Beveridge, of Austin, Texas. Trained as a geologist for the oil industry, he somehow entered the mortgage business. During this time, Tito began making vodka infusions for his friends. Starting a distillery proved the logical next step. It’s the old story of working hard, learning through experience, and maxing out the credit cards. Despite lacking the backing of the big distributors, the brand grew. Wildly popular in the Austin area, Tito’s Vodka is now gaining a superlative national reputation. While unlikely ever to outstrip Smirnoff in terms of sales, Tito’s Vodka has made its mark. A Wine Enthusiast tasting gave Tito’s a score of 95, topping Ketel One (89), Grey Goose (84), and Belvedere (84). No longer a one man operation, Beveridge’s operation remains small. He makes just one product: a corn-based, gluten-free vodka. Beveridge aims to create one that can be sipped neat, without mixing or infusion. He succeeds. The result of Tito’s effort shows exceptional roundness. Not harsh at all, it is a pleasure to sip. The flavor is clean and bright, with a faint sweetness. Adding something as simple as an olive or a citrus peel creates a magnificent cocktail. And that’s just the beginning. We currently carry Tito’s Vodka in numerous bottle sizes. This is a premium vodka at a mid-range price. Give it a try. $31.99/1.75l $18/99/1l $11.99/750ml $7.45/375ml $1.79/100ml Serving Suggestions
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