When it comes to premium vodka, it’s fair to describe Grey Goose as a pioneer and with the brand releasing its super-premium Grey Goose Altius, Cellar Master François Thibault explains what sets this apart.
Having previously explained to Bars and Clubs how the gift of nature shaped the vodka category and Grey Goose in particular. Nature also plays a big part in Altius’ DNA.
Francois said: “There are two differences between classic Grey Goose and the new Grey Goose Altius. Once again there are only two ingredients, zero additives, no sugar. One of the ingredients, is the same soft winter wheat – if you change one ingredient then you need to change other ingredients.
“The water for Grey Goose comes from a well that is 150m down underneath limestone soil in a natural well. The water from Altius comes from up high, 1000m up in the French Alps. Spring water from the mountains is well known for its purity, its smoothness and its high minerality.
“Throughout the lens of Altius, I really wanted to highlight the quality of the water and that it is a treasure that we need to look after. There is now less than two per cent of the world’s water that is considered drinkable, and while we French might like to moan about our administrations being very slow, but one thing they have done that is positive is they have protected our water as premium drinking water and that guarantees Altius and its incredible water.”
Francois also said that while Grey Goose is very lucky to have this water, the team understands that it needs to be careful with it. He explained that the water is captured in the French Alps and transported to Gensac-la-Pallue, where Grey Goose can ensure premium bottling for Altius.
He said: When you go that high into the French mountains, it’s very hard conditions. This is a first in the spirit world, where to replicate those harsh mountain conditions, I developed a filtration system, a slow filtration, a slow agitation at -24 degrees, this means the mixture is caught in an ‘in-between’ state, where it is not liquid but it is not yet ice crystals. This impacts the taste, as does the different water.
“Altius has that same brilliant shine as original Grey Goose, and on the nose it is the signature of Grey Goose – as we use in all our vodka.
“There is a crispy freshness on the top of your tongue that is almost like an electric shock, the mid-palate is very smooth and silky, then at the back palate there is a balance between acidity and saltiness, which is the high minerality in the vodka, which we are still talking about being a fifth element in the vodka, like an umami taste.”
The super-premium vodka needs a bottle to go with it and this bottle reflects the wind and Alp conditions and the bottles are all numbered because it is very limited edition and each has Francois’ signature.
