Peace Vodka from Catskill Distilling

Monte Sachs is the mater distiller at Catskill Distilling. He’s passionate about two things – chemistry and distilling. And he believes that local ingredients make the difference in quality and taste.

Located moments from the site of the original Woodstock Music Festival (now Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts), the Catskill Distilling Company honors the rich history of the Sullivan County Catskills – a unique blend of tradition and revolution.

According to Caskers.com, "Over three decades ago, Monte Sachs — Catskill Distilling Company’s founder and distiller — attended veterinary school at the University of Pisa in Italy. After class each day, Sachs would meet with an Italian farmer named Bernardini, who taught Sachs how to distill grappa."

“He taught me about the importance of sourcing quality ingredients from small farms and about how the shape and size of a still is reflected in the weight and mouthfeel of the spirits,” says Sachs.

The Catskill Distilling Company’s inaugural bottle, Peace Vodka, is a wheat vodka distinctive for both its complexity and refinement. A delicate balance that reminds you why smaller is better and that there is no substitute for passion

The water is from the Catskill Mountains, and the grains, purchased at a nearby mill, are returned as mash to a nearby farm to feed a herd of red stag. From the locally-grown grains to fruit from local orchards and botanicals grown on site, the Catskill Distillery embodies the spirit of the farm distillery and demonstrates a strong commitment to the local agricultural community.

The custom-made copper stills, the work of master European craftsmen, were designed to accommodate a variety of distillation techniques. They are a work of art that serve as the backdrop to the tasting room at the Catskill Distillery.

According the the notes from Astors Wines & Spirits, “This brand new vodka is loaded with delicious aromas and flavors. That’s right, vodka with flavor and aroma!! And don’t get me wrong this is not a flavored product, or some anonymous harsh ethyl alcohol pumped off of a grey factory line, just plain old vodka made in small batches at a small distillery on a farm in the Catskills. The local New York wheat used for Peace produces a spirit that is simultaneously complex and refined. Multiple passes on the nose reveal new surprises of aroma including, sweet cream butter, soft caramel, pure vanilla bean, and baking bread. You will be highly delighted to find all these flavors intact on the palate wrapped up in an impossibly smooth and luscious mouth-feel that’s as close to liquid silk as I’ve ever come across. So good, everybody should try this. An eye-opening bottle”

It’s a very, very good vodka….and I highly recommend it!