The Roosevelt Room's Master Class Series - Vodka, Gin, Genever & Aquavit

Every spirit begins their life as a natural, raw ingredient that is grown out of the ground, harvested, fermented, and distilled into a clear, high-proof, and unrefined liquid. At that point, half of the work of art is done, and the other half - the art of maturation, blending, filtration, and finishing - can begin. Without a barrel to hide, unaged spirits have to work extra hard to become a refined, world-class tipple. Yet, these types of spirits remain the most popular in the world because they're often the cleanest, most nuanced, and most refreshing spirits to enjoy.

Join us for a tour through the tipsy history and production methods of four of the world’s most beloved distillates - Vodka, Gin, Genever, & Aquavit. Attendees will learn about the predominant styles of each spirit, where and how they’re produced throughout the world, how those factors influence what’s in the glass, and what makes each beautifully unique.

Attendees will get to enjoy two classic cocktails and a flight of twelve spirits, while learning about the fundamentals of nosing and tasting, discussing the predominant flavor characteristics of each style, and what to look for in distillates of superior quality.

Attendees must be 21 years of age. Class promptly begins at 12pm and concludes at 2:30pm. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at the beginning of the course. Guests are encouraged to stick around after the course concludes to enjoy our Sunday Happy Hour service at 3pm!

Topics Covered:

• The not-so-glamorous history of grain spirits' early years and its eventual rise in popularity, quality, and esteem.
• The many wonderful ways in which grain spirits can be produced.
• The many subcategories of Vodka, Gin, Genever, & Aquavit, and the trademark qualities that make each unique.
• How to properly taste and identify the subtle nuances amongst each type of spirit.

Spirits featured in the Tasting:

1. Grain Vodka
2. Potato Vodka
3. Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka
4. D.O. Protected Gin
5. Old Tom Gin
6. Plymouth Gin
7. London Dry Gin
8. New Western Gin
9. New World Gin
10. Genever
11. Unaged Aquavit
12. Aged Aquavit