Cîroc is a premium French vodka that stands out for being made from grapes rather than grain or potatoes. Cîroc vodka differs from almost every other vodka in that it is derived from grapes instead of using grain, potatoes or corn. The 0.7 l bottle at 40% ABV comes here in the "naked" version, i.e. without outer packaging.
The raw material comes from the south of France. At the heart of this vodka are carefully selected snap frost grapes grown at high altitude in France's Gaillac region, from which wine is produced through cold fermentation. White varieties are used. Cîroc French Snap-Frost is made from French grapes, specifically Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc, sourced from the Gaillac and Cognac regions. The brand name refers to the altitude of the vineyards. The brand name derives from the French words "cime" (peak) and "roche" (rock), a reference to the high-altitude vineyards.
The production process is based on fivefold distillation. Cîroc's producer emphasises the five distillations: the first four take place in distillation columns, and the last in a traditional copper pot still at the Distillerie de Chevanceaux. The distillate is neither aged nor flavoured. Cîroc is distilled to a very high alcohol concentration, around 96%, after which — without ageing or flavouring — it is diluted with water to 40% before bottling.
The flavour profile is dominated by fruit and citrus freshness. Subtle citrus notes, hints of sweet grapes and a silky finish are perceptible. The texture is smooth. The result of this production method is a vodka that is clean, crisp and silky, with a round, velvety texture. The brand made its market debut in 2003. Cîroc was introduced to the world in 2003.