Altamura Distilleries Vodka

Product of: Italy

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Altamura Distilleries Vodka is made with fermented and distilled Italian durum wheat, grown in the Altamura region of Puglia in southern Italy, an area so prized for its wheat that the Pane di Altamura is PDO-protected and Altamura is known as the "City of Bread".

A lioness stands majestically on the bottle of vodka, and is also the historic emblem of the city of Altamura, symbolising protection, courage, and guardianship over its land. The lioness appears on the city's coat of arms and is prominently featured in stone sculptures, most notably on the 16th-century portal of the Cathedral of Altamura.

Inspired by the lion, Altamura Distilleries has partnered with Born Free, the international wildlife charity dedicated to protecting wild animals and preserving wildlife in their natural habitats. The foundation's symbol is also a lion, representing Elsa, the lioness made famous through Born Free, and the legacy of the charity's founders, Bill Travers MBE and Dame Virginia McKenna DBE, alongside their son Will Travers OBE.

Altamura was founded by Frank Grillo (the chap with the turquoise hair to match the bottle in the photo above) and Steve Acuna, two Americans who relocated to Puglia after falling in love with the region.

Our goal from the beginning was to create a vodka that could only come from Puglia, one that reflects the land, the wheat and the heritage of the region. Seeing Altamura Distilleries Vodka reach drinkers across 25 U.S. states and through some of the country's best retail and on-premise accounts is an incredibly proud moment for us. We are excited to introduce more American consumers to a vodka that carries the story and flavor of southern Italy.

Frank Grillo, co-founder and managing director of Altamura Distilleries

Review and Tasting

Sampled before 1st May 2011

Appearance:

Crystal clear.

Aroma:

Faint bready aromas with zesty lemon and faint herbal notes.

Taste:

Faintly sweet, with nutty, toasty flavours, hints of vanilla, and light black pepper spice.

Aftertaste:

Clean, toast and Brazil nut finish with lingering black pepper spice.

Overall:

Unusually and pleasingly nutty for a wheat vodka with toasty notes more usual of a rye vodka, yet with the signature brightness and faint anise note of a wheat vodka.