The Polish vodka brand Chopin has launched Bartender’s Choice, a 119.5 proof rye vodka.
This product was inspired by bartenders and mixologists in search of a way to make spirit-forward cocktails and hedge against vodka dilution in the glass that happens when you add ice or other mixers, the company says. Due to its high proof, Bartender’s Choice vodka is designed to provide an even fuller flavor profile.
“I am on a mission to change the general perception that vodka is a tasteless, odorless spirit to a spirit that should be sipped and savored,” says Tad Dorda, Founder and CEO of Chopin Vodka. “We created Bartender’s Choice to further that exact mission, ensuring that the flavor from ingredient-forward vodkas doesn’t become diluted in your glass. We want vodka to take a front seat in cocktails, not get lost in the mix.”
Bartender’s Choice is a bolder version of Chopin’s rye vodka, made from three ingredients: rye, water, and yeast. The result is a nose that is smoky, herbaceous and mineral forward, the company says, before a palate of black pepper, mountain ash and a hint of sloe berry as well as a finish with bitter-sweet notes of almond, apricot and raisin.
Chopin distilled the expression at their distillery in Krzesk, Poland in their copper still dating back to 1896.
Vodka is more commonly made with a 40% ABV (80 proof). When mixing it in a cocktail or pouring it over ice, it can become closer to 20% ABV (40 proof), losing its flavor and potency. High-proof vodka is typically made to be 50% ABV (100 proof), as some states in the U.S. have regulations requiring vodka to be less than 60% ABV (120 proof). Chopin designed Bartender’s Choice to be as prominent as possible at 59.8% ABV (119.5 proof).
The Bartender’s Choice bottle features a more informal design approach to the brand’s aesthetic. The label features the product name in Tad Dorda’s handwriting.
The suggested retail price is $34.99 per 750-ml. bottle. It’s available online at chopinvodka.com and at various retailers and bars throughout the country soon.
