Meet the Jewel of Russia (1L for $35 “red label” or $95 for the super-smooth “ultra” which comes in collectible hand-painted bottles) – red or ultra, we think it’s the best vodka on the market. Vodka is by nature an extensively filtered grain-derived spirit from which nearly all impurities are removed before a subtle flavoring profile is sometimes imparted. Generally speaking: the more extensive the filtering process, the cleaner and more absent the “flavor”, the better the vodka. This also explains why mixologists enjoy working with vodka as the perfect canvas for their liquid libations.
To the extent that vodka is all about purity, Jewel’s unique and characteristic smoothness objectively makes it one of the best spirits on the market. Five times distilled and five times filtered before the final pass through peach and apricot stones which imparts a summery aroma with understated sweetness, and also cleverly subdues the raw bouquet common to many other lesser vodkas.
Deep well artesian water and a balanced mix of premium wheat and rye hardened by cold Russian winters creates the perfect full-bodied vodka to be best enjoyed “up” as a martini (extra dry – not too much vermouth) or on the rocks with a twist where Jewel becomes dangerously drinkable when cracking cold and diluted ever so slightly as the ice melts in. Utter simplicity and refinement from the wax-sealed bottle to the neutral aromas, plump finish and everything in between – James Bond should consider switching to the Jewel.
N.B.: For vodka-tonic drinkers, keep it classy and consider mixing with Q Tonic – made right here in New York from high-mountain Peruvian quinine and organic Mexican agave instead of high fructose corn syrup. After all, why dilute the subtleties of such good vodka with plain old Schweppes!
Contributed by Adam Gross
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
