Product: Ciroc Vodka Producer: Ciroc Distilleries Approximate Retail Value: $24/750 mL Category: Vodka Country of Origin: France Reviewer: R. Pietsch The F Words: Flavor – Slight hints of grape, similar to grappa. Feel – Light and slightly acidic. Finish – Bright and refreshing.

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Trends are trends. Whether it’s parachute pants or personalized ring tones, they come and go. With the Grey Goose craze all but gone, there is a new French vodka on the market poised to take its place. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Ciroc.

Here is an increasingly popular choice that is five times distilled and for export only. Sound familiar? Well, where Ciroc is unique is that it is cold distilled from vine ripened grapes. To understand this product, you have to understand the differences in how it’s made.

As you may or may not know, vodka is traditionally distilled from potatoes (or as in recent past, from grains). The use of late harvest grapes provides more sugar, leading to more acidic juice to be distilled. The process of cold distillation results in a lower alcohol content to begin with. But don’t worry, after the fifth run through Ciroc stands strong at 80 proof. The result is incredibly smooth vodka with a hint of grape flavor.

Purists claim that Ciroc is not “vodka” by definition simply because it is not distilled from potatoes. Of course by this logic Absolut, Sky and even Grey Goose would not be considered “vodka.” But have you ever tasted potato while drinking Ketel One? Of course not. What we have here is an amazing product.

In my time behind the stick I’ve had people ask “what’s the newest craze?” While this vodka has been seen or heard as little more than white noise, I find it is a safe fall-back for someone looking to give something new a try.

Where Ciroc falls short is that it has such a distinct flavor that it is difficult to mix into a palatable concoction where it is still the primary ingredient. For an example, just go to the Ciroc website (www.ciroc.com) and you will see recipes on how to make a Lemon Drop or Cosmopolitan. In my opinion, this borders absurdity. From a flavor standpoint, the best you can do with mixing grapes and citrus is throwing some oranges in your sangria (which Ciroc actually has a great recipe for).

Instead, I suggest serving this product chilled beyond handling and straight up in a martini glass. This is one of the cleanest vodkas I have come across in years. If it’s cold enough you won’t taste the grapes, but you won’t feel any bite in the back of your tongue either. If you’re really curious, ask for just a shot. You’ll taste how there is careful attention paid to the balance of this product. Granted, while grape might be my flavor of choice when it comes to Gatorade, it’s not exactly what I look for in a vodka.

If the idea of drinking this straight does not appeal to you, try making a Ciroc grape-tini by mixing half and half with white grape juice. And if you’re just as through with the martini craze as you are with Grey Goose, your Ciroc and tonic will be absolutely delicious (just don’t squeeze that lime).