Vodka From Montana

With the number of artisanal spirits in the market growing each year, it can be difficult for enthusiasts to keep up with all the latest options. Nowhere has this been more apparent than with vodka and other white spirits. As there are no ageing requirements, distillers can experiment with new methods and flavors and have them on the shelves within months.

A perfect example of this dynamic is Flathead Distillers of NW Montana. Former IT consultant and Baltimore/DC metro native David Lehenky was also a keen home brewer and winemaker, but had the vision of setting up his own commercial distillery. In 2008 he took the big leap, setting up shop on his property just outside of Eureka, Montana and receiving his Federal and state permits to operate in 2009.

Montana is an ideal place to distill, with a wealth of natural ingredients and pure glacial water. While most traditional vodkas are distilled from grain such as wheat or barley, David decided to use sugar beets as his source of carbohydrate. Why choose sugar beets? Firstly, they are sourced locally within the state. Secondly, they have been used in parts of Europe for vodka product in the past, but are difficult to find in today’s market. Finally, they are gluten free, making them a safe choice for the growing number of people with wheat allergies and intolerances.

His cherry vodka is also quite unique. Instead of adding a syrupy concentrate, David steeps sought after Flathead cherries directly in the spirit, adding about 4 pounds of organic fruit from his neighbors, the Orchard at Flathead Lake, for each case of vodka. The result is a terrifically ripe, fruity aroma that stays very fresh on the palate. The addition of a hint of Madagascar vanilla bean in the recipe makes for a very round and smooth finish.

Hand bottling around 48 cases a batch, David is not intending to knock the likes

of Stoly or Absolut off the shelves. He is offering something different, made with a

lot of care and enthusiasm, which he hopes people will connect with. It also retails at a very competitive price, so when you are next in to stock up your bar I highly recommend giving this ago.


Felix Milner


http://cellar.com/Search.aspx?SEARCH=Flathead

Joe's Picks for Thansgiving

Victory Golden Monkey Belgian-style Ale ($13.99/six-pack)

This balanced and complex beer is ideal for your elaborate Thanksgiving meal. With a golden pour and aromas of citrus, apple and Belgian yeast it’s the perfect match for a big feast. At 9.5%, the high alcohol cuts through the fats and provides sweetness and complexity for this pairing.

Quo Old Vine Grenache 2008 ($15)

This may be the perfect wine to serve this year for you and your guests. This exceptional value from Spain offers richness, complexity and a long finish. The palate displays red and black fruit leading to a spicy finish with nice balance and texture. It is a great wine to compliment the many options on the table.

Rodet Bourgogne Blanc 2009 ($16)

Burgundy is my go to when pairing white wines with my Thanksgiving dinner. This well rounded wine offers a pale golden color and a slight floral aroma.  The flavors include citrus and pear notes.  It is an extremely versatile wine at a great price point.  

Josh Genderson's Thanksgiving Wine Suggestions

Toluca Lane Pinot Noir 2009 ($32)

The first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about Thanksgiving is Pinot Noir (and you thought it would be turkey). And in my opinion, there is no better deal at Schneider’s than Toluca Lane Pinot Noir. At only 31.99 per bottle, this beautiful Pinot offers succulent aromas of cherries, roses, raspberries and lavender that you would normally find in a $100 bottle.  A great balance of fruit, earth, and oak makes this the best value Pinot Noir in the store and a perfect pairing for your turkey dinner.

Cloudline Pinot Gris 2008 ($16)

This Willamette Valley Pinot Gris offers peach, melon, and lemon aromas that lead to intense flavors of green apple and citrus fruits. It's lean and slightly grassy with a tart note of green spice.   Crisp and balanced with excellent acidity, this wine is a great substitute for higher priced Alsatian Pinot Gris and will pair beautifully with turkey and all the fixings.

Montaudon Brut Champagne Magnum ($60)

When it’s time to turn Thanksgiving into a party, there is no better option than popping a cork of delicious (albeit well priced) bubbly.  My pick for an amazing Champagne is the non vintage Brut from Montaudon. This rich and toasty sparkler has notes of almond and brioche toast combined with crisp green apple and lime accents.  Delicious!

Stewart's Top Picks

Champy Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2009 ($20)

Nothing pairs better with turkey and all the dressing than a good Pinot Noir.  This burgundy shows notes of cranberry, dark cherry and rose water backed by mouth watering acidity that will keep you coming back for more.

Chateau de Lancyre Rose 2010 ($18)

Although summer has come to an end, that does not mean you should stop drinking rose.  This dry rose has a great nose of fresh cherry and strawberry with a hint of steely minerality.  It will make for a great accompaniment to all of the Thanksgiving offerings.

Jacquart Brut Blanc de Blanc 1998 ($40)

Why not kick start the holiday with a glass of bubbly? This French Champagne is made from only Chardonnay grapes giving it a nose of fresh buttered toast, crisp apple, and pear followed by a finish that goes on and on.  

Terry's Thanksgiving Selection

Here is Terry's selection. He's our wine manager and in house chef, so when it comes to food and wine pairings, he often comes up with some spectacular combinations. 

AzumbreVerdejo 2010 Rueda, Spain ($17)

This is a beautiful, clean, crisp white that is lively and refreshing. It has complex aromas of white flowers, melon and white peach. In the mouth, white fruit and dry pineapple lead to a wonderful oily richness and a lingering finish. This wine will act as a perfect foil for the richness of a Thanksgiving meal or with a first course of roast pumpkin soup.

Pali SummitPinot Noir 2010, Santa Barbara, California ($30)

Pinot Noir makes an outstanding pairing with turkey; the difficulty is finding a good one at a reasonable price.  A good Pinot needs to have the body to stand up to the richness of all the fixings like stuffing and gravy. The Pali Summit Pinot Noir is made to order, offering juicy ripe raspberry and cherry fruit with a feathering of white pepper and spice notes on the finish. This delicious wine is complex and mouth watering.

ValsotilloReserva 2004 Ribera Del Duero, Spain ($75)

This wine is a work of art! It is big yet elegant, a velvet hammer that exudes cherry and blackberry fruit with leather, espresso and anise. The tannins are big but smooth and mature. The oak influence makes the wine rich, complex and balanced with a seductive, chocolaty  lingering finish. It is delicious with our without food.

Thanksgiving Recommendations

If you didn't grab a copy of the November issue of The Hill Rag then you missed out on our top picks for getting you through Thanksgiving. Don't worry though, as we'll be publishing one every day of the working week till next Thursday, so check back for Josh, Terry, Stewart & Joe's favorites. 


Here are Rick Genderson's. 

Chateau Sociando-Mallet 1982 ($130)
This mature Bordeaux offers up aromas of pure, sweet, roasted nuts, along with mineral-laced black currants. Medium to full-bodied and structured, it’s earthy fruit and complex flavors makes it a real winner at the Thanksgiving table. 


Rodet Rully 1er Cru Chateau Bressande 2007 ($20)
This 100% Chardonnay from Burgundy possesses a ripe apple and pear bouquet leading to flavors of spiced apple and lemon/lime tinged minerals.  Soft and round in the mouth, it works beautifully with the Thanksgiving meal.


Mont Ferrant Brut Blanes Nature Nature 2004 ($20)
This is a top quality Cava from Spain.  It is a delightful sparkling wine with crisp citrus and pear aromas leading to almond, nut and that lovely toasty, yeasty quality that is hard to find outside of Champagne.  It is perfect as an aperitif.  

Wine of the Week – Cuvee de Pena 2008 Red

Cuvee de Pena 2008 Red

Grape(s): 40% Grenache, 38% Carignan, 12% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre

Region: Vin de Pays des Pyrénées-Orientales, France

Style: Light-Medium – juicy and fruit forward

Alcohol: 14.1%

Price: $11.99 Reduced $7.99

This wine is a true steal, offering light, fresh, and appetizing fruit. Red and black cherries meld together on the nose with a subtle spice component and continue on in the mouth with good length and fine tannins.

Designated Vin de Pays des Pyrénées-Orientales, the wine comes from a cooperative winery in the charming little village of Cases de Pene, just 10 miles north west of Perpignan, in the most southerly part of France.

The quartet of grape varieties; Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Mourvedre, typically grown in this part of the world are known for making some big and heavy long lasting wines, but as this example clearly demonstrates, they are also more than capable of producing interesting lighter versions without the need of any oak ageing. One of the huge advantages of stainless steel over oak is the big cut in the cost, allowing producers like Chateau de Pena to bottle high quality grapes at phenomenally low prices.

While I could imagine sitting down to one of the regions classics, such as duck cassoulet, it is also compatible with a wide range of food and great for quaffing on its own too. Enjoy!

Felix Milner