Tasting The Purity Of Glacial Waters With Reyka

Cocktails Distilled

In recent years, many vodka distilleries have relied on the marketing buzzwords such as clean, crisp, and pure, but there are few that can back up these claims as fully as Reyka vodka.
Distilled on the west coast of Iceland in the shadows of the majestic Mt. Hafnarfjall. The distillery is part of a land like no other, a land of Vikings, volcanoes and crystal glacier waters.
To find out more, we talked to US brand ambassador Trevor Schneider, about stills, geothermal power and flavour in vodka.

Chapter

1. Tasting The Purity Of Glacial Waters With Reyka (00:00:00)

2. Now on your website, you comment that the vodka is not just made in Iceland, it is made of Iceland. I assume by that you are referring to the water that you use. (00:01:22)

3. Speaking of the lava field, I believe that it's 4,000 years old. What is the process of filtering through that? (00:02:16)

4. Speaking of volcanic activity, you were talking about how the distillery is powered and that is a emission free. Do you want to talk a little bit more about that? (00:03:35)

5. I believe the name Reyka, actually comes from the geothermal process. (00:05:02)

6. And that of course relates back to being made of Iceland as well. Doesn't it? (00:06:17)

7. Aside from your filtering and your water and your power, the other unusual and quite interesting thing about the brand is the still, the Carter Head still, which you use. (00:06:26)

8. The brand has chosen to use a mix of both barley and wheat. Why is that? (00:08:04)

9. Can vodka really have flavour? (00:08:46)

10. Do you believe that because it's filtered through the lava and that allows it to not have to go through multiple distillations, that is what allows the flavour to come through? (00:11:45)

11. I mean, using different rocks like that, it must make consistency a little bit difficult. (00:14:32)

12. That would be one of the advantages of being somewhat small batch, I assume. (00:15:07)

13. Now, we've talked a little bit about flavour, but if people haven't tried the vodka before, what should they expect? (00:15:31)

14. If they are trying it, I assume you would suggest they try it neat before they push into your world famous espresso martini. (00:17:19)

15. Some people say that there are certain spirits that are basically just neat spirits and not necessarily cocktail ones. Is Reyka one of those, or is it equally as good in a cocktail? (00:18:34)

16. Speaking of cocktails though, would you say that it is better in sort of savoury bitter cocktails, or it's more of a sweet cocktail? (00:19:37)

17. Now, speaking of adding herbs to the vodka, would the brand ever consider doing a flavoured vodka or is that something that has such a bad name these days? (00:21:34)

18. I imagine you've seen a lot of bartenders experimenting with the vodka. What are some of the more unusual drinks that you've come across? (00:22:18)

19. Well, how much sage are you using to a bottle of the vodka? (00:23:47)

20. And does how much you pulse the blender affect the flavour? (00:24:55)

21. Do you think their rising popularity is going to change the way that people think of vodka? (00:27:36)

22. I suppose the education for consumers, a lot of that came through COVID (00:29:10)

23. Now, speaking of world events, even though Reyka is Icelandic, do you think that the protests against Russian vodkas is going to have an impact on the brand? (00:30:02)

24. Now, what is it that you want people to take away from their experience with the brand? (00:31:31)

25. Well, speaking of distribution, I assume Reyka is available throughout the US. (00:32:42)

26. Now, if people are outside of the US, how widely is it distributed across the globe? (00:33:11)