And Celebrates Third Best Vodka Rank and “Best Buy” Award from Beverage Testing Institute

MORIN-HEIGHTS, QC, Sept. 17, 2024 /CNW/ – Dirty Devil Vodka®, the audacious and fast-growing Canadian premium brand known for its “Smooth as Hell” character and innovative production techniques, continues to make waves in the spirits industry with a series of remarkable achievements.

Dirty Devil Vodka is proud to announce the signing of legendary hockey goaltender Martin Brodeur as their Brand Ambassador. Martin Brodeur holds the record as the NHL’s all-time winningest goalie, with 3 Stanley Cups to his name and a well-earned spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

“We are thrilled to be associated with the greatest goaltender of all time, Martin Brodeur,” said François Tremblay, President and Founder of Dirty Devil Vodka. “His achievements on the ice may never be surpassed, and we look forward to partnering with Martin to further build consumer awareness of Dirty Devil Vodka in major hockey markets.”

In 2024, Dirty Devil Vodka was awarded the third-highest ranking and a prestigious “Best Buy” Award from the US-based Beverage Testing Institute, excelling past numerous rivals. These honors emphasize Dirty Devil Vodka’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and value.

Additionally, 2024 marked another remarkable year for Dirty Devil Vodka as it served as the Official Vodka for both the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the ATP National Bank Open hosted by Rogers in Toronto and Montreal. The event experienced a surge in demand, with visitors frequently requesting the brand’s signature Dirty Devil Dragon Fruit Lemonade.

The brand’s presence continues to grow throughout North America, now reaching markets in Quebec, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, the northeastern United States, North Carolina, Florida, and more than 75 hotels and resorts in Mexico.

Recently, one of Dirty Devil Vodka’s most exciting introductions occurred in Nevada, beginning in Las Vegas, the world’s entertainment hub, where it swiftly became popular among selective patrons.

“We’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Tremblay. “From our partnerships with leading sports organizations and luminaries to our growing international footprint, Dirty Devil Vodka is poised for even greater success as we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what a vodka brand can achieve.”

About Dirty Devil Vodka
Dirty Devil Vodka is a Canadian premium vodka brand renowned for its Smooth as Hell taste, innovative oxygen-rich production process, and edgy branding. Distilled five times and filtered three times, Dirty Devil Vodka (42% ABV) is crafted from non-GMO corn, is gluten-free and additive-free, contains zero carbs, and boasts only 66.6 calories per serving (1 fl. oz.). Dirty Devil Vodka is available in leading retail and on-premise locations across North America and Mexico. Enjoy responsibly.

SOURCE Dirty Devil Vodka

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ANOKA, Minn. (FOX 9) – A man who fled from Anoka police during a traffic stop on Monday had to be saved from the Rum River, according to the sheriff’s department.

The chase started around 3:49 p.m. when an officer tried to pull over a vehicle on Saint Francis Blvd close to the Anoka County Fairgrounds. The driver subsequently crashed his car and fled on foot.

Eventually, the individual found himself in the Rum River, located not far from the fairgrounds.

Rescue teams located him in the river’s water and extracted him. They performed revival techniques before he was transported to the hospital.

Details remain uncertain regarding why police tried to intercept a man and the reasons for his flight from law enforcement. The investigation is active, and deputies are withholding additional information at this time.

The current health status of the man is also undisclosed.

Wolves Whiskey

Wolves Whiskey is debuting its first flagship American single malt, marking a significant transition for the brand from producing limited editions to offering a year-round product. This new release represents a key moment for the California whiskey maker as it aims to establish itself as a major contender within the emerging American single malt category.

American single malt sales have been on a tear for the last few years, prompting even the biggest of the big American whiskey giants like Jack Daniel’s, Bulleit and High West to release their own single malts. The American single malt whiskey market is currently estimated to be around $300 million, which compared to the overall American whiskey market valued at more than $9.2 billion might seem fractional, but it’s nothing to ignore.

Wolves Whiskey president Jennifer Marks, whose resume includes experience at Moët Hennessy, Pernod Ricard and AMASS Brands, describes this launch as a natural progression for the brand, which was founded in Los Angeles in 2017.

“The creation of the American single malt category opened a window of opportunity for new, distinct expressions of American whiskey,” Marks tells Forbes. “For us, that meant creating a liquid representative of the American West which, as a region, is a perfect mix of our traditions and innovation. We see our whiskey as appealing to anyone with that same sense of adventure, whether they are a new enthusiast or a traditional whiskey lover.”

American single malt is a whiskey made entirely from malted barley, distilled at a single distillery in the United States, and aged in new or used oak barrels. It must adhere to specific guidelines, including being distilled to no more than 160 proof and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

Wolves’s take on American single malt whiskey was aged for five years in California wine barrels in the Arizona heat before being finished in aged Cognac casks.

“The concept of secondary maturation has always fascinated us,” Marks says. “The whiskey industry’s growing embrace of this technique presented an opportunity and a path to create something special in the space. Our paramount concern was to maintain the integrity of the base whiskey, using secondary maturation as a tool to enhance, not mask, its original character.”

The whiskey described possesses a complex and rich flavor profile, featuring nuances of ripe red fruit, honey, and spiced oats.

“We opted for a Cognac finish to achieve a blend that is both gentle and bold,” Marks explains. “Cognac is known for its aromas of dried fruit, caramel, honey, and toffee—elements that we felt would perfectly enhance our blend.”

The design of the whiskey packaging drew inspiration from the rugged allure of the American West, crafted to convey a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic.

“Our goal was to narrate the brand’s story via our packaging choices, which are both bold and unconventional, from the deep Pacific hue of the label to the prominent, vertically oriented wordmark,” Marks comments. “In tribute to a wolf’s notable spatial memory, we incorporated topographical linework that was blind embossed on the label. It’s a subtle, yet pivotal, element of design that narrates a broader story about the diverse landscapes of the Western coast, and natural age symbols like tree trunk rings.”

Marks emphasized the importance of valuing their loyal customers by informing them first about the new launch through their allocation list, consistent with the brand’s commitment to its roots in local craft distilling.

“Our focus on consumer preferences extends beyond our products. We are genuinely interested in their other likes such as drinks, dining places, and travel destinations,” she stated.

As Wolves Whiskey begins to offer products year-round, Marks mentioned that the brand will continue adapting based on consumer trends and will retain its high-quality collaborations and limited edition releases. The new Wolves Whiskey American Single Malt will retail at $90 per bottle, a significant shift from their previous limited editions priced between $220 and $305.

“Consistency is crucial in our approach to establishing a luxury brand,” Marks commented. “This involves a deep commitment to our product, investing in our brand for the long term, maintaining creative freedom, and dedicating time. It’s a disciplined investment we are enthusiastic about.”

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Welcome to “Small Bites,” a feature from the South Florida Sun Sentinel focused on brief news snippets from the food and beverage industry. Perfect for those moments when a lengthy article is too much, but a tasty morsel of information will do. Enjoy your nibble of news!

WHAT: It’s an event that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

The third annual Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Fest is set to take place again at the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum located in the Broward Mall in Plantation. This gathering will feature a range of rum cakes reflecting the diverse Spanish, French, and Dutch Caribbean traditions, in addition to the much-loved dark fruit and plum puddings, commonly known as black cakes.

Attendees are welcome to sample these delights and then buy slices or entire cakes. Orders can also be placed for upcoming festive occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. While there, guests have the opportunity to explore the museum which showcases exhibitions and artifacts highlighting Caribbean culture and history.

“Rum cake and black cake are quintessentially Caribbean foods. They are a genuine cultural connector of all our nations,” says Island SPACE board president Calibe Thompson. “This was one of our best-attended annual events in 2023, and we expect it to grow more each year. People have an amazing time enjoying the entertainment and togetherness vibes.”

WHEN: 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

WHERE: Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in Broward Mall, 8000 W. Broward Blvd., No. 1202, Plantation

COST: $15 in advance; $20 at the door

INFORMATION: 954-999-0989; islandspacefl.org

EXTRA TIDBITS:

Vodka, naturally nearly tasteless, serves as an ideal base for infusing flavors such as garlic. Historically, this practice has been quite common in Russia and Poland, where vodka has been flavored with a variety of herbs, vegetables, and botanicals for centuries. Among the popular variants, Russian bison grass vodka is particularly noted for its distinctive vegetal taste and potential health benefits. Despite the availability of Flavored vodkas in stores, creating your custom infusion at home is simple. For garlic lovers, preparing garlic-infused vodka can offer a delightful new twist to be enjoyed neat or in a flavorful cocktail. A good guideline is to add a whole head of garlic per liter of vodka. You have two main methods to choose from, both yielding delicious results.

Firstly, select a high-quality, smooth premium vodka. For the initial method, start by peeling and slightly crushing each clove of garlic. Insert these cloves into your vodka bottle, secure the cap, and shake well. Store this in a cool, dark environment for a minimum of two days, shaking the bottle daily. After two days, taste the infusion and decide if the garlic flavor meets your preference. For a more intense flavor, continue the infusion process for a couple more days, tasting daily until satisfied. Once perfect, strain the vodka using cheese cloth into a jar, discard the garlic cloves, and return the vodka to its original bottle.

Explore more at 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have

The second method involves pouring vodka into a Mason jar and adding sliced garlic. Allow the garlic to infuse for 24 hours before straining the mixture with a coffee filter to remove the solids and returning the vodka to its bottle. If the flavor is too mild, allow it to infuse longer until it achieves the desired intensity. For those who find raw garlic too overpowering, roasting the garlic before infusing can yield a milder, sweeter result. After perfecting garlic vodka, consider experimenting with other flavors like basil, ginger, rosemary, or even habanero for a spicy kick.

Once you’ve crafted your “vampire defense” vodka, consider the best cocktails to pair it with. A savory direction seems fitting. This garlic-infused vodka will certainly spice up a classic Bloody Mary and its Canadian relative, the Bloody Caesar. Swapping in garlic vodka in place of regular vodka could also turn the James Bond-inspired Vesper Martini into something extraordinary. Given that garlic is a typical ingredient in dill pickles, it’s an intriguing idea to create a Pickle Martini using garlic vodka. A Dirty Martini, which can be made with either gin or vodka, would taste great with the addition of garlic-infused vodka, enhancing its blend with olive juice.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Ketel One is putting accessible QR codes on the packaging of its products.

It turns out, food labels can be accessible too.

Vodka maker Ketel One on Monday announced it’s “the world’s first spirits brand” to incorporate accessible QR codes onto its packaging. The company said this endeavor is rooted in inclusivity, noting it makes its vodka more accessible to people who are Blind and low vision. The products are scheduled to be on store shelves later this month.

Notably, the New York-based Ketel One said in its press release the accessible QR codes are detectable by so-called “class-leading accessibility apps” such as Microsoft’s Seeing AI and Be My Eyes. The codes were created by mixed reality company Zappar in collaboration with Britain’s Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

In an exclusive interview prior to the recent announcement, Zappar’s marketing chief, Dave Mather, shared that his company is focused on enhancing the way people interact with food packaging. He expressed the belief that everyone should have equal access to such information, deeming it a fundamental right. According to Mather, the project started approximately three years ago when Unilever and RNIB began exploring ways to make QR codes more accessible for individuals with disabilities, as Unilever was incorporating them into food labels by the billions. He noted the challenges due to limited space on labels and highlighted Zappar’s role in using their expertise in color schemes and scalable scanning technologies. Mather mentioned in reference to a press release by Ketel One that Zappar’s technology allows QR codes to be scanned from a distance, enabling accessibility tools on smartphones to vocalize the content encoded within the QR code. He credited RNIB for playing a crucial role by offering specialized advice and conducting research to understand not just the technological challenges but also how to present information in a way that is easily understood.

Mather emphasized the growing trend of QR codes and the importance of making them accessible. He discussed the collaborative efforts between Ketel One, Zappar, RNIB, and others as a realization of this need.

Mather added, “There’s a movement towards QR codes on products. By aligning with purpose-driven brands and legislative changes, and working with innovators like Ketel One and Diageo, we have the chance to drive significant impact. Opportunities like this don’t come often… it’s an exhilarating time. This is just the beginning. There’s much more to do, but the prospects are promising.”

Sam Salameh, the Vice President of vodka at Diageo North America, shared Mather’s sentiments.

“At Diageo, we’ve always been driven by innovation and a desire to elevate every consumer’s experience,” he said in a statement provided to me. “When the Nolet family came across this incredible technology over two years ago, we knew it could be a game-changer. By adding AQR technology, we’re not just enhancing the convenience and premium quality of our cocktails, but we’re also working to make them more accessible to everyone. It’s a natural next step in our commitment to delivering exceptional products that cater to all consumers of legal drinking age.”

Salameh continued: “We believe that our products have the power to bring people together, whether it’s for special moments or everyday enjoyment. Implementing AQR technology into Ketel One was an easy decision for us—it allows us to offer a more inclusive shopping experience for consumers who are blind or have low vision. It’s about creating a world where everyone can interact with and enjoy our premium brands.”

When asked about feedback, Mather told me the response to these accessible QR codes because “we’re moving the needle at all.” He acknowledged that viewpoint is a low bar, as it represents a sad state of affairs for inclusivity—but it’s notable nonetheless. People in the blind and low vision community, he said, are ecstatic because the technology enables them to shop with agency and autonomy and live independently.

“I think that sense of empowerment and access that information is incredibly compelling,” Mather said. “We know that to be true. I think that’s a really interesting thing as well.”

Looking towards the future, Mather said the retail environment is ripe for disruption in terms of how to make them more accessible to the disability community. Common tasks like moving about different aisles, he said, can be augmented with the kind of technology used to build the QR codes. Mather was cagey about an in-progress partnership around this idea, but was enthused about what he and team are working on. As to accessibility generally, Mather said it’s an area that Zappar is “extremely passionate about” and that the company is fortunate to work with partners like Unilever and Diageo who are similarly impassioned. The plan long-term. Is to keep engaging with the disability community with the mission of serving them to the best of their abilities, because Mather reiterated the notion that access to technology is a fundamental human right. QR codes may seem like small details to the masses, but making them accessible turns the profundity meter up significantly.

“If enough people do enough meaningful things in the world, then change can happen,” Mather said.

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