Fwd: Re: SC - Liqueurs

[Terri Spencer]

In a message dated 6/26/00 3:57:27 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
kareno at lewistown.net writes:

>   Dearest  Jadwiga,
>  
>      What makes you think that your favorite modern Vodka is  *not*  grain
>  based?  It very well could be  -- I know there is a least  one brand that
>  is,  (but can't remember which  --  yhoo hoo!  Constance,  what is that
>  brand?)  and aam willing to reference that there is more than one maker of
>  Vodka that uses grain as a base.
>  
>  Caointiarn
>  

The brand is "Ketel One" and is made entirely from wheat.  The Ketel One 
Distillery was chartered in 1591 (not 1691 as it says on the labels - gov 
approval mixup so they just left the labels as they were).  Ketel One Vodka 
is made today (so they tell me) using the same ingredients and processes as 
when they were chartered.  And is still owned by the same family.

Also, the founder was apprenticed for 11 years prior to the chartering.  He 
apprenticed in France with a "master distiller".  The name of "Ketel One" 
comes from the fact that his first job as an apprentice was to watch Kettle 
#1.  When he was made a master distiller himself, his former master gave him 
the kettle which was his first responsibility and told him to go forth and 
make something of it.  He returned to his home and did so.

BTW - he also experimented and researched on flavored "cordials" made both by 
distillation and infusion of various herbs and fruits in his vodka.  His 
descendant is copying the original books he kept records of such experiments 
in and sending them to me.   Can't wait to see them.

And one more note - those of you who are looking for references to cordials 
etc should also look in Gerard's herbal.  Esp under grapes but also under 
plums and several other fruits and (I believe) under barley.  You will find 
not only reference to brandy and whiskey distilled in period but also mention 
of flavored cordials and aquaviteas with multiple comments as to the fact 
that they should not be over used or taken casually "as the more vulgar are 
prone to do".  Seems obvious that they were also being used recreationally or 
such warnings and so many of them would not be needed.

Gotta run   more later

Constance de la Rose