Vodka gets more vivid

Absolut Vodka, Sweden’s most famous export, entices sophisticated drinkers with its first line of super-premium vodka crafted from hand-selected estate wheat, naturally filtered water and an authentic 1929 copper rectification still. The result is the crystal clear, sultry and smooth Absolut Elyx that can be enjoyed on its own.
Absolut became one of the world’s best known and best selling brands partly because of its playful innovation and experiments with fruit and flavours. So far we have enjoyed pure, quality vodka in a variety flavours – raspberry, mandarin, mango and even vanilla and pepper. This time around Absolut puts the fruit basket aside and picked up its good old copper still to churn out a small batch that proves its exceptional know-how in vodka making.
“Aroma and flavour are the obvious and most immediately striking characteristics of vodka,” says Krister Asplund, master distiller at The Absolut Company.
“Absolut Elyx goes beyond that. It has a clean and fresh taste with subtle floral and fruity tones, but its most defining quality lies in the texture. Not detectable by the nose or taste buds, texture determines how the vodka feels in your mouth. Absolut Elyx is elegant and incredibly soft, and leaves you with a silky feeling in your mouth. Try it on its own, and your mouth will know the difference.”
To create Absolut Elyx, Asplund returned to the roots of vodka making, while still addressing contemporary demands of traceability and innovation. He got the finest wheat and water, put a 1929 rectification still back into use, and refined copper catalysis. These four factors are equally important in the production of this exceptional vodka, and they are outlined in the Elyx manifesto, which guarantees long-term quality and an everlasting commitment to perfection.
Elyx is distilled exclusively from hand-selected wheat from Rabelof, a neighbouring estate with a flawless instinct for quality. Rabelof’s excellent wheat adds subtle fruity and floral tones to Elyx, and is conducive to its elegant palate and texture.
The water quality is absolutely essential in vodka production. Luckily, the Absolut distillery rests on its own pristine natural underground springs in Ahus, south of Sweden. Filtered through the boulder ridge and limestone bedrock for thousands of years, this water has never been exposed to modern day pollution. It is exceptionally pure, low in minerals and very soft, which is essential to the silky, smooth character of Absolut Elyx.
Throughout the process, copper plays an integral part in the making of Elyx. Its unique character is obtained from the vintage rectification still, with columns, pumps and hand-forged pipes all in copper. While the apparatus adds character, additional copper packets are used to purify the vodka in the crude spirit distillation. They react with any sulphur remnants, resulting in an absolutely pure spirit. This is basic chemistry, refined to perfection.
Absolut Elyx is handcrafted in small volumes with no computers involved. Each batch is made to the uncompromising standards of the master distiller and his sensory experts, who taste and approve of each batch before it is bottled.
Andreas Larsson, Sommelier World Champion 2007, had this to say: “The colour is transparent and brilliant. The nose is plentiful and intense with a lot of character; it displays subtle hints of vanilla and lemon and has a floral touch. The palate is pure and invigorating with a silky, unctuous texture – creamy, subtle and persistent with a fine balance, and a long-lasting finish with a subtle spiciness. Absolut Elyx is a finely tuned vodka with character and elegance”.
Elyx is perhaps best enjoyed neat or on the “rock” – just one single, large, slowly melting ice cube – but is equally good blended, preferably in martinis and straightforward cocktails where the fresh taste and silky feel come to the fore.
Recommended to try at home is Charade, an old-school cocktail with dark fruit, natural sweetness and a velvety texture inspired by the 1963 movie “Charade”. Simply pour in Absolut Elyx, Lillet Blanc and white cherry liqueur in plenty of ice. Stir till cold and serve with an orange peel.
Another simple recipe is the breezy and summery La Brava, a contemporary twist on a margarita. Measure up Elyx, lime juice and agave syrup in a shaker. Add ice to the brim and shake until the shaker is cold. Strain the drink over crushed ice.
For a brighter flavour, try a South Beach with Elyx, lime juice, simple syrup and fresh mint leaves. Shake all the ingredients with ice till cold. Strain into frosted cocktail glass and garnish with mint leaves.
Earlier this month, Absolut Elyx was introduced to the media at Parata Diamond, where Elyx cocktails were served with an array of tasty savoury and sweet dishes. The cocktails served included Elyx Cosmopolitan, Elyx Martini, Elyx Silk and the glamorous Elyx Diamond, which was served on Moroccan serving set.

FINE TASTE
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