SKYY (Sky) is an American premium vodka produced by the Italian company Campari. The drink is in demand all over the world due to its pure and mild taste, achieved through repeated distillation and filtration. The brand is in the top lines of the popularity rating in the US domestic market, and vodka is an indispensable attribute of secular parties and Hollywood events.
Historical information
SKYY Spirits LLC was founded in 1992 by entrepreneur and experimenter Maurice Kanbar. The businessman has received more than 50 patents for his inventions in a wide variety of industries and medicine, including cryogenic gas for the treatment of cataracts and LED traffic lights. Vodka SKYY became the most famous creation of Kanbar and made him famous all over the world.
Initially, the businessman worked on a recipe for an outstanding Martini cocktail, and vodka was one of the components of the drink. The secret of production consisted in fourfold distillation and triple filtration, so there were practically no impurities in the alcohol that could spoil the taste. The best varieties of American wheat grown in the Midwest were used as raw materials.
Kanbar entered into an ethanol contract with MGP Ingredients, based in Kansas. Alcohol in tanks was delivered by rail to the Frank-Lin Distillers Products facility in San Jose, California. There it was mixed with distilled water and flavorings and then bottled. The manufacturing technology of vodka is patented and kept in strict confidence.
In 1993, the drink received a new design and began to be produced in a bottle of cobalt blue, which attracted the attention of buyers. Kanbar later admitted that the design was inspired by the piercing blue skies of San Francisco. The idea worked – the brand quickly conquered the American consumer as a completely domestic product. This was facilitated by an active advertising campaign with the participation of Hollywood cinema stars, on which the company annually spent from two to three million dollars.
In 2001 Kanbar sold the trademark to the Campari group of companies. The new owners moved the production of the drink to their own factories. Currently, the SKYY line includes 16 types of vodka, including flavored varieties with various fruit flavors. Most of the brand’s products are sold domestically, as well as in Canada, Italy and Brazil.
Awards
San Francisco World Spirits Competition, San Francisco:
- 2015 – gold and bronze medals;
- 2016 – 3 silver and 1 bronze medals;
- 2017 – 2 silver medals;
- 2018 – silver medal.
Interesting Facts
- Maurice Kanbar’s most famous inventions include the D-Fuzz-It Sweater Comb. The original device refreshes the appearance of knitwear and removes pellets from them without harming the fabrics.
- The brand’s advertising campaigns have always been handled by photographers working for glamor magazines. Taunting and memorable looks for SKYY were created by Hollywood stars Gretchen Mol, Kyle MacLachlan, Heather Graham and John Leguizamo.
Characteristics of SKYY ORIGINAL vodka, 40%
A classic variety without fruit additives. The color is transparent with a sheen, the aroma is clean and fresh with a slight citrus tinge. The taste of the drink is slightly creamy, with faint notes of anise and coriander. Vodka leaves a peppery aftertaste. An ideal ingredient for martini or tonic cocktails.
