The ‘Vodka Revelation’ Spirits Selection by CMB 2025: meeting the artisans behind the success
Less than a year after its official opening, this artisan distillery won the highest distinction at the prestigious Spirits Selection by CMB competition: the Grand Gold Medal and the Vodka Revelation.
It was an emotional moment for the team.
“This medal represents recognition of our work, which we have been striving to achieve for more than five years. This vodka, distilled from local potatoes, is the origin of our project, and seeing it receive this award has deeply moved the entire team.”
When the medal changed everything
“The announcement of the award provoked some surprising reactions. People found it difficult to understand or believe in this medal.”
But it quickly changed the game. “We recently attended a spirits fair and, thanks to this medal, we found that visitors were receptive to what we had to say. We were really able to introduce them to vodka: how to taste it, and its history.”
A springboard to fame
For a small company entering a highly competitive market, international recognition is a valuable asset.
“No one knows us, and it’s hard to attract influencers, such as journalists from the trade press. But since winning the medal, many professionals with specialist knowledge have contacted us. This is very encouraging and stimulating for us.”
Educating the French palate
The Saint-Véran team is aware of the challenge that awaits them in the French market.
“The French are not big vodka drinkers. We often hear the phrase: I don’t like vodka, it has no taste.”
There is a lot of work to be done in terms of educating and introducing consumers to the product.
“During visits and tastings, we explain to our customers that the role of vodka is indeed to be fairly neutral. When tasting vodka neat, you’re not looking for aroma, but texture in the mouth, creaminess, voluptuousness, roundness… Vodka tasted neat is a flavour enhancer; it is there to enhance the food you are eating at the same time: fish, smoked fish, seafood…”
Craftsmanship
The creation of vodka is based on meticulous work.
“We start with a neutral alcohol base that we purchase from a French distillery. We have chosen a five-times distilled surfin alcohol, made exclusively from French wheat. We then reduce it with spring water, an ingredient whose quality is essential, as it represents nearly 60% of the bottle’s content.”
Every detail counts in the quest for texture and balance.
“We take our time to improve the roundness of our spirit. We therefore first pass this water over local stones, called variolites. As a final touch, we add our distillate of local potatoes. There is no sweetening or addition of any texturing agents.”
New projects in the pipeline
Buoyed by this recognition, Distillerie Saint-Véran is preparing its new creations.
“On 15 December, we will be releasing a “Raclette” vodka, based on our Signature Vodka (with a significantly reduced amount of potato distillate). We have macerated local organic raclette cheese, which we smoked beforehand, at the distillery.”
