rockymountainvodka.com

They're called Netted Gems, from the Gem State, of course. Outsiders call them Russet Burbanks, A hybrid of the fruit seed Luther Burbank found in his garden in 1872. They're the long white potatoes that made Idaho famous.

Idaho's high altitude, warm days and cool nights combined with the volcanic ash in the traditionally desert soil grow them bigger and faster than anywhere else.

Shortly after World War II some nutter in Kaleefornia figured he could make more money by calling his Russet Burbanks "Idaho Potatoes". Of course, the Idahoans objected to this practice, and the U.S. Surpreme Court finally declared Idaho to be a Trademark. The Idaho Farmers Commission now has a fancy logo to insure you know where your potatoes come from.

How do I know this and why should you care?

I grew up in Idaho, and there are a few Idaho things I miss not having. I miss wild huckleberries (the state fruit), fresh air, and mountains. I miss the greasy spoon diners that automatically assume you want a slice of ham on your hamburger, and ocassionally I miss wondering if kids in other countries have trouble finishing their Russet Burbank all by themselves.

Forunately, a miracle has finally happened. Someone has gone and put two of my favorite things together... in a bottle. The state fruit and the state vegetable combine to make:

Huckleberry Vodka.

It's called 44 North and pay attention because this isn't another generic flavored vodka you can forget about. I was not a vodka drinker before, but I certainly am now. The guys who make 44 North are pushing quality ingredients and processing. Sparklestone and I have been mixing drinks with 44 North for several months now, and we've come to the realization that nothing we mix with it is as good as drinking it straight.

It's like candy.

Originally, it was only available in 5 states. I had to smuggle some onto a plane to get it to Sparklestone. I realized today that it's now distributed in almost all of the lower 48 (http://www.rockymountainvodka.com/distributors.html).

I strongly encourage you to check it out. It's not cheap, but it's definitely worth it. Like me, it's one of the few products entitled to wear the "Grown in Idaho" label.