The Trick To Vodka Is All In The Blend With American Liquor Co

Cocktails Distilled

You probably know Chris Montana’s name in connection with Du Nord Craft Spirits and the fact that there wasn’t a single trouble from last year that did not darken the door of his distillery. From COVID closure and making hand sanitiser, to the riots and the flames that engulfed Du Nord.

But even while assessing the wreckage of his business, it was not on himself where his attentions lay but rather his community and the other makers and businesses around him.

In what was left of his warehouse space, Montana set up an impromptu food bank and conducted a fund-raising drive to help other businesses in the area owned by people of colour.

And that desire to focus on those around him has continued as he has taken up the role of Master Blender with a new vodka brand American Liquor Co.

We talk to Montana about expert distillers, grains, blends and the sort of Vodka cocktails you should be making.
For more information on American Liquor Co, go to https://www.americanliquor.com

챕터

1. The Trick To Vodka Is All In The Blend With American Liquor Co (00:00:00)

2. The world isn't short of vodka, what made you and your partners pursue this route? (00:01:44)

3. Now, when people create a spirits brand, it's usually about their own distilling ability, tell us about the six vodka distilleries that you've highlighted with this new venture. (00:03:37)

4. When it comes to vodka, most people would concentrate on a single grain base. What gave you the idea of combining different grains to create the vodka fuel brand? (00:07:50)

5. The term, Master Blender, is one that's usually used for aged spirits such as rum or whiskey yet you are a Master Blender for vodka. How does that work? (00:09:27)

6. So, what are you looking for in the blend? (00:11:28)

7. The vodka that you have created is said to embrace the taste of the Midwest. In this particular belnd, how does that express itself? (00:12:58)

8. How long did it take you to achieve the right balance with the vodkas you were using? (00:15:04)

9. I imagine it would have been a fair amount of trial and error. (00:16:31)

10. Now, if someone were to taste the liquid for the first time, what do you think they would notice most? (00:17:13)

11. With those notes in the vodka, if someone was going to mix this into a cocktail, what flavours do you think would work best with it? (00:19:00)

12. So, I'm assuming you don't ever drink cocktails with this and that you only drink it straight (00:20:16)

13. What has the reaction of bartenders been to this liquid so far? (00:21:40)

14. It must've been difficult bringing this out during lockdown and trying to communicate with people when they couldn't see it in a bar. How did you guys go about that? (00:23:00)

15. Sustainability is a huge issue in the industry at the moment, what efforts have you guys been making towards that? (00:24:41)

16. Over the last 20 years or so, vodka's reputation has certainly had its ups and downs, do you think that the spirit is going through a resurgence at the moment? (00:26:17)

17. I imagine a lot of people would have taken to vodka in lockdown simply because they assumed it was an easy spirit to work with. Are you thinking that once everything opens up, they will go out and almost demand more from that same spirit? (00:28:08)

18. Speaking of which, what is next for American Liquor Company? (00:29:14)

19. Some would say that a brand really only meets the jackpot, so to speak, once it's in New York and LA. Are they markets that you're looking to get into in the next year or so? (00:30:07)

20. Will you be continuing to do vodka blends in future or will you be looking to other spirits or how are things going to move forward? (00:31:31)

21. Right. Okay. Now obviously, if people would like more information on American Liquor Company they should go to your website which is americanliquor.com or connect with the brand on your socials. (00:32:54)