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Saaga is being supported by spot advertising in lifestyle publications, but its central strategy is gaining credibility via trade outlets and word-of-mouth among retailers, bartenders, chefs and connoisseurs. “Advertising dollars will increase as we go along,” says Mike Piazza, president of Mike Piazza and Associates, a marketing consultant for the brand, “but the support of the trade, recognizing we have something new and marketable, is important at the outset.” Piazza expects the brand’s distribution to expand to 15 markets by the end of 2008, with a significant focus on high-end on-premise accounts, such as The Russian Tea Room and Pravda in New York and The Peninsula Hotel and Sona in Los Angeles, where it’s already present (Saaga is currently in about 400 on-premise accounts).

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Touting its unfiltered distillation process as a point of differentiation, Saaga master distiller Arno Narro says 1 liter of Saaga 1763 takes up to four months to produce, compared with most other vodkas, which can be produced in as little as 24 hours. The long-term procedure allows the vodka to retain its original rye flavor, says Narro, contrasting it with other super-premium vodkas, many of which favor filtration and multi-distillation processes. 1763 refers to the year Catherine the Great began bringing Estonian vodka to her imperial court in St Petersburg.

Saaga 1763 Vodka $48.
Clear. Neutral aromas with hints of buttered rye toast, vanilla and talc. A very smooth and delicate entry leads to a silky light-to-medium body of very clean whipped cream, toast, and wet stone flavors with a hint of mossy herbs. Finishes in a long, sweet cream, mineral, white pepper, and pasty dough fade. Nice purity of subtle flavors.*

International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 40% / 80 proof
CATEGORY: Vodka
SPIRITS ID: 182413

Vodka Notes: Saaga 1763:

Saaga 1763 Vodka created by Master Distiller Arno Narro who recreates the original style of vodka distilled in ancient Estonian manors for hundreds of years. The vodka is made from 90% heirloom Estonian Rye and 10% Tristo summer wheat, which are harvested at the optimum time, carefully sorted , and dried with care. Rye is the Estonian national grain and they have been cultivating it since the 1100's. The rye used in Saaga, actually a blend of two rye's- Tulvi and Vambo, are both not just heirloom rye's, but ancient ones that can be tracked back to when rye first started being cultivated in Estonia, after it had made its way from Asia Minor. These aren't your vapid modern rye's like Matador or Picasso, but flavor packed, spicy, and earthy.

Then Spectral Fluorescence Signature technology is used to select the best and most robust grains of rye to ensure the flavor and quality of the vodka. It is slowly and carefully distilled at controlled temperatures to produce the best flavor and is not filtered at all. That's right; it seems that this is the only unfiltered vodka in the world. When it is distilled such exacting care is taken that it doesn't need charcoal filtering. The water used is pure Estonian spring water that has naturally filtered over the years through layers of limestone under the ground, and is then purified with reverse osmosis. I don't think I have ever read such a long bottle label or notes on a bottle tag before. It was like reading an epic saga on vodka, a treatise of fantastical history and modern day fact. It definitely entertained me and put me in the mood to first do some in-depth research, and then sip some vodka.

The aroma is exceptionally clean, one of the cleanest smelling vodkas I have yet encountered, with a hint of spice and the essence of rye grains to it. As it opened up after a few minutes in my glass there followed the barest trace of sweet fruit and floral notes. Is is very pleasant on the nose and I enjoyed taking many deep breathes, feeling that it was cleansing me. I know it relaxed me, whether from some aroma-therapeutic ability, or from the alcohol fumes, I know not. I just enjoyed it.

The taste is clean as well, with a different character than most vodka. Sharp on the tongue and tingling to the lips with a silky, smooth feel to it. It has some interesting spicy notes that immediately made me want to take another sip. Drunk straight out of a snifter at room temperature it was excellent. Chilled shots sipped with dinner were even more so. But on the rocks with a splash of water it was really enjoyable as a floral sweetness joined the clean spiciness. If you like very clean and crisp, premium vodka, then I highly recommend Saaga 1763.**

Sources: “Saaga 1763 Enters Vodka's Thriving High End,”* Dan Marsteller, Wine Spectator, ”Vodka Notes: Saaga 1763 Vodka,”** Jonathan M. Forester, Slashfood, April 21, 2008