The invitation was coloured with intrigue. An intimate and exclusive tasting. An innovative drinking experience from ABSOLUT, a brand renowned for 500 years of Swedish Vodka traditions.
If the shape of the bottle was a clue, this was no regular ABSOLUT.
At the recently opened Cocktail Lounge upstairs at the Beresford Hotel, floral scented candles flickered and intrigued. Palates were cleansed with sparkling water and prepared with a fresh Melon Medley sorbet. What was about to take place was the first tasting in the world of ABSOLUT TUNE.
Upstairs at the Beresford Hotel
Sparkling water to cleanse the palate
Melon Medley Sorbet
When the bottles were finally disrobed and popped open, ABSOLUT TUNE was unveiled – a sparkling fusion of ABSOLUT Vodka and Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
ABSOLUT TUNE at the Beresford Hotel
On the nose, the aromas are floral and fresh from the Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, the initial notes are floral and fruity, followed by secondary notes of vodka flavour, which incidentally take a little time to develop. The finish is long and crisp, surprisingly with no overt sweetness.
Inside Out Glassware
Served in ‘Inside Out Glassware’ used to reflect the fusion of sparkling wine and ABSOLUT VODKA, these flutes are also a fusion of a high ball and Champagne flute. Especially ordered from Germany for the launch, the glasses are designed by Alissia Melka-Teichroew and made from hand-blown borosilicate glass with double-walled glass to provide insulation.
By the time the glasses are topped up, the Vodka flavour has opened up and is more evident on the palate.
ABSOLUT TUNE is easy to drink as an apéritif or with friends on hot summer afternoons. Made from 60% Vodka and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, it is 14% Alcohol By Volume (ABV) yet the alcoholic effect is noticed if you drink one too many. The Vodka and Sauvignon Blanc are fused together at the fermentation stage to capture the combined aromas and flavours.
Welcome address by Mark Cavanagh (Director Cav Con)
Ben Davidson (Signé Spirits Ambassador, Pernod Ricard Australia) introducing ABSOLUT TUNE
Guests with Glen Brasington, Marketing Director of Pernod Ricard Australia
Canapés at the Beresford
ABSOLUT TUNE Disrobed (Photo credit – ABSOLUT)
ABSOLUT TUNE comes in in an ornate 750ml bottle and is only available for a limited time at three Merivale venues, Hemmesphere at the Establishment, the Den at the Ivy and The Beresford Hotel until early September 2011.
Gourmantic attended the ABSOLUT TUNE Launch at the Beresford Hotel on Tuesday 23 August 2011 as media guests.
The Beresford Hotel
354 Bourke Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2000
http://www.theberesford.com.au/
Photography by @MrGourmantic.
Official short video of the launch on YouTube.
Stunning bottle. And way to be among the first in the world to taste! Did you know what it was about before the launch?
Elegant, bottle isn’t… and I like the glassware too.
No, it was all kept a secret. I had an inkling it wasn’t just Vodka from the shape of the bottle… it was very done!
I thought bubbly and Vodka sounded unusual at first but if it’s not too sweet maybe it can work. Does it taste like alcopops?
Alcopops tend to be a little syrupy (not that I drink them). ABSOLUT TUNE is fruity at first and while it may seem sweet, once it opens up and you get the Vodka kick, you want to keep drinking.
I love the new bottle. I like collecting some of these cool Absolut bottles despite not drinking a drop of em vodkas. LOL
I’m also collector of drink bottles and have some of the special editions and miniatures. But then, we’re major consumers of ABSOLUT so that helps! 🙂
wow…those champagne flutes are too cool!
Imagine using these at your next party and disrobing a bottle of ABSOLUT TUNE – it would impress a few people, wouldn’t you say!
Wow… gorgeous bottle! What an unusual concept from Absolut. Can’t wait to check it out this weekend!!
Innovative, isn’t it… I hope you enjoy 🙂
[…] to a previous engagement, Gourmatic arrived later in the evening after all the formalities. But it didn’t stop us from […]
Beautiful coming out…an interesting blend of spirits..would love to try it!
Hopefully the trials would extend beyond Sydney at this stage. It would be interesting to know world reactions and if anyone else follows the lead.
Mmm I love anything sparkly – perhaps I could be persuaded to stray from the champagne
You’ll find it very different to Champagne. And if you enjoy Vodka, you’ll like the kick it delivers!
[…] Elyx. The name alone evokes curiosity and mystique. Much like the limited release ABSOLUT Tune, the shape of the bottle deviates from the standard early Swedish medicine bottle that has long […]
[…] experiences with spirits included the ABSOLUT TUNE Launch, the José Cuervo Tequila Tasting with Don Francisco Hajnal, Hendricks Gin with Jon Muir, […]
[…] Bar 100, Bavarian Beer Café Bondi Beach, (also Parramatta, Chatswood, Manly Wharf, York St), Beresford Hotel, Blu Bar on 36 at the Shangri La, Bridgeview Hotel, Bucket List, Bungalow 8, Cargo Bar, Cohibar, […]
[…] featured ABSOLUT vodka: ABSOLUT Tune, ABSOLUT Elyx, ABSOLUt Mode, ABSOLUT Carafe Cocktails Corinne (Ms Gourmantic) is the founder […]
[…] speculation about whether certain brands in the Pernod Ricard portfolio are used and echoes the ABSOLUT Tune which was a sparkling mix of vodka and Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc. Nevertheless, it has spiked […]