Filip Vodka

Vodka Turning Green

With its neutral flavor and facing a highly competitive market, it is difficult for a new vodka to stand out from the rest. Filip vodka, which is being rolled out slowly in the U.S., tries to set itself apart by touting itself as an “organic experience.” Filip (pronounced like the name Philip) has earned a designation as 100-percent certified organic, and is truly eco-friendly with no additives, pesticides or preservatives. It further separates itself from its peers by being made from imported winter wheat from the Piedmont region of Italy (better known for specialty beef). This is a clear departure from the usual potato or corn base that makes up most vodkas we find on the shelf.

Filip boasts a specialized filtration process that is five-times distilled and three-times filtered through organic carbons—which the makers claim eliminates the harmful and flavor-altering solvents that cause headaches and hangovers. (We didn’t drink it in enough quantity to test their assertion.) In addition, only 40 percent of actual product yielded from filtration is bottled, further enhancing the vodka’s flavor and refinement.

We were pleased with the aesthetic of the smoked glass bottle, but the true enjoyment came from the 80-proof liquid inside. The initial taste has a sweet nose and features a slight burn, but it leads to a smooth finish. The product shines best on the rocks, paired with a light mixer, or in a dry martini. Distribution is currently limited, but look for it in select restaurants and hotels on the West Coast in 2009.

by Dylan Nugent

Price: $33 for 750 ml

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