Chopin - Potato Vodka - 40%
Chopin vodka is produced in Krzesk, Poland . The family business was founded by Tadeusz Dorda who bought a distillery in operation since 1896. The family has worked in collaboration for several generations with local farmers, who grow potatoes, rye and wheat. Master distiller, Waldemar Durakiewicz, has been distilling for Chopin for over 40 years. It uses a 19th century copper column , making it one of the oldest stills in Poland. After taking over the business in 2003, the Dorda family restored the distillery and its outbuildings, and modernized the bottling and packaging facilities. Apart from these necessary improvements, little has changed in over a hundred years. The same production techniques as those before them are used, working slowly and with meticulous attention to detail. This limits the amount of vodka produced, but guarantees its quality.
After harvesting the potatoes, they are washed to remove all traces of soil. Water is drawn from an artesian spring deep underground, using their own well on site. The potatoes are then steamed, turning them into a mash ready for fermentation. A “signature” strain of yeast is added to this mash and the fermentation process begins. The vodka is then distilled in the original copper still. The vodka is transferred to barrels, where it rests for two weeks to mellow and develop its flavor profile. It is then bottled and sealed on site.