The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
'Premium' vodka has made a splash on the world bar scene, including Atlantic Canada. Nfld's own CIVC (Canadian Iceberg Vodka Corporation) has been making premium vodka since 1995. Arising from a company started by current president and founder, Gary Pollack, the initial concept was to produce bottled water from icebergs. Once they had established a safe way to harvest water from 'bergs', the idea of producing vodka came to life. They harvested their first icebergs in May, 1995, and by 1996 they were shipping vodka to Japan and the Ukraine, and by 1997 to the USA. The Nfld. Liquor Corporation, already famous for bottling Screech Rum, also bottles Iceberg. On first look, the 'chunk of ice' shaped bottle seems gimmicky, but the product within tells another story. The vodka is made from 100 per cent iceberg water, which may be a marketing point, but the true selling feature is the taste. Triple distilled from a mash of corn, the resulting clear spirit is not lacking in aroma or flavor. Mixing Iceberg with orange juice, or with soda and a citrus slice, is not unheard of, but this vodka really shines on its own. The odd thing, though, is the price. According to International competition results, Icebergs compete taste-wise with the best, but comes in at less than half the price. Something to Ponder: Everyone who visits makes us happy: some by coming, some by leaving.
