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Magazine Contributors Frans Hertoghs Kiwikorrels: Vodka of 42 below zero
Magazine Contributors Frans Hertoghs Kiwikorrels: Vodka of 42 below zero
| Kiwikorrels: Vodka of 42 below zero |
 This week it became clear that I have missed the chance of a lifetime. I have been distilling my own whiskey for a couple of years now, a modest hobby which saves me a bit of money. Every now and then I give a bottle away. People ask me regularly if I want to sell a few bottles. This country does not give permission to do that. Therefore I make enough whiskey for myself and friends. No problem. Thousands of Kiwi's do the same. It makes life more pleasant, the spirits cheaper and the whiskey nicer.By Frans Hertoghs Geoff Ross from Wellington did something like that too. He is a vodka-lover. Seven years ago he started distilling vodka in his garage. Excellent vodka. People couldn't stop drinking it. He applied for a license to be able to sell his product. That was granted. The brand is 42 Below Zero - a reference to the temperature at the South Pole or the 42nd latitude where he lives? The business took off in no time. A factory was built in 2002. Funny advertising-spots appeared on TV, which made fun of the Kiwi lifestyle and people loved watching it - undoubtedly, over a glass of ice-cold vodka. Last year they produced almost one hundred thousand boxes.Recently Bacardi made a bid for the shares, which yield Geoff Ross more than 35 millions. He has accepted it provisionally - under certain conditions. Two of the conditions are that his brand name and factory will stay. Traditionally Vodka is not a Kiwi drink. Like beer, which is brewed here too. But New Zealand is changing. Twenty years ago only a few vineyards existed here. Now thousands of hectares of grape vines have been planted and the country produces a 'puddle of wine', which competes with Australia and the European Union. They drink wine on the rebound too now. Australian of course, because the Kiwi wine is not affordable. Worldwide Vodka is the fastest growing spirits. And Geoff Ross has made it. I wonder if I should ask for a license. Perhaps one of the readers has a need for Hot Heaven (Hete Hemel), real New Zealand whiskey? The Dutch version of this article is published in the November/December 2006 edition of Holland Focus. Ask your News Agent or take out a subscription.
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