Costco Connection - September 2006

By Annette Alvarez-Peters

I’D LIKE TO propose a Spring—known for its purity because it passes
toast. Here’s to Costco for through ancient limestone. The vodka is dis-
introducing Kirkland Sig- tilled five times to achieve the highest level of
nature™ Vodka. It’s a clean, purity and is then passed through two separate
smooth and well-balanced filtration systems, resulting in a smooth, well-
vodka with hints of citrus balanced drink.
and vanilla. Vodka has become a very fashionable spirit,
This vodka is distilled with top-shelf brands becoming increasingly
to exacting standards un- popular with consumers. With that in mind,
der the direction of a it only made sense for Costco to look at offer-
master distiller in Cognac, ing members a high-quality vodka at a great
France. Kirkland Signature value—less than $30 for a 1.75-liter bottle.
Vodka is made from selected Russians were the first to make this spirit,
wheat grown in northern in the ninth century. They called it zhizennia
France, and its water comes voda (water of life) and used it for medicinal
from the nearby Gensac purposes. Today a number of countries pro-
duce vodka, including Russia,
Sweden, Poland, France, the
Netherlands, Canada and the
United States. Vodka can be
distilled from a number of
raw materials, such as wheat,

The Costco Connection Kirkland Signature Vodka is available in most warehouses that sell liquor.

rye, rice or potatoes. The neutral spirits are redistilled, either once or twice, and then blended with demineralized water to reduce the alcohol volume. It is then filtered with charcoal to remove any remaining impurities. Additional demineralized water is added to reduce the alcohol to the required strength.

High-quality vodka should be clean and smooth on the palate, with a well-balanced, “round” finish. Vodka’s neutral taste makes it perfect for cocktails. Depending on your preferences, there are a number of ways to drink vodka. James Bond likes his vodka martinis shaken, not stirred. The ladies from Sex in the City loved their Cosmos.