Stoli unveils second in pristine water series

Stolichnaya has launched a second limited edition vodka in the ultra premium Elit pristine water series: The New Zealand Edition. The new luxury product was unveiled to the global travel retail sector today at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, France.

This second offering in the Elit pristine water series comprises only 300 bottles for global distribution.

After traveling deep in to the heart of the Himalayas to source water for the first edition in this series, the master craftsmen at Stolichnaya set their sights on the jewel of New Zealand – the Blue Spring – for the second. Revered for its exceptional clarity and exquisite blue hues, the water that flows from the Blue Spring is naturally filtered over hundreds of years through the pumice of the towering Mamakau Ranges. The formation of this natural treasure began 85 million years ago when New Zealand isolated herself geologically from earth’s other continents, a physical isolation that exists today. Radiant and untouched, The Blue Spring is hailed as one of the purest water sources in the world.

This rarefied water is then combined with the most exceptional Russian Alpha Spirit at the historic Latvijas Balzams distillery in Latvia, producers and bottlers of Stolichnaya vodkas for more than 65 years. This spirit is yielded from grains sourced alongside the all-natural Kershinskoye water reservoir. The earth there is so fertile and pristine that no fertilizer or pesticides are necessary to produce outstanding raw ingredients, and a distillate that is the benchmark defining the category. The blend, rich in character and flavour, is then filtered in the same way as Elit with a freeze-filtration process at -18degC.

Stolichnaya commissioned Royale de Champagne, the 135-year-old French crystal studio renowned for its commitment to exacting standards and organic beauty, to handcraft a one-of-a-kind bottle worthy of a vodka of this caliber. The crystal masterpiece is wrapped with a leather cuff emulating the New Zealand silver fern, galvanized in jewelrey-grade Palladium. It is sealed with a weighty and visually striking Palladium closure.

The case in which this handsome bottle is presented has been crafted by hand from ancient Kauri wood native to New Zealand. This rare wood, which has been perfectly preserved within New Zealand’s remote Northland, is the oldest workable wood in the world and at 45,000 years old is one of nature’s finest works of art. The wood’s natural brilliance has been complemented with a fern etching inspired by the unfurled ‘koru’ symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace.

As part of the unveiling of the Elit pristine water series: The New Zealand edition, Elit by Stolichnaya has continued its partnership with Oceana, the largest international organization working solely to protect the world's oceans. Gaining access to the most impeccably fresh water sources requires a unique partner and to celebrate, Elit by Stolichnaya will contribute towards the great projects that Oceana undertakes on behalf of the world's oceans, coinciding with the release of the of the second limited edition offering.

The Elit pristine water series from Stolichnaya is 40% ABV (80 proof), retailing for $US3,000 per limited-edition bottle (300 bottles worldwide).

21 October 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor