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The Australian-made Bombora and CooranBong are imported by Michele and Dave Freyder of Leawood. Stiletto is distilled in Kyrgyzstan and marketed by Stiletto Brands, whose co-owners include former Kansas Citian Teresa Glidewell.
So how does one get into the vodka business?
Dave Freyder started by falling in love with Australia. He was traveling there twice a year as a consultant and began exploring import possibilities. Vodka was his drink of choice, and market research showed there was room for an Aussie brand.
He toured nine distilleries and then forged a partnership with his supplier (whom he declines to name). Michele left her job with the Kauffman Fellows Program, and they both work full time on the brands.
They found a U.S. distributor and hired local firms to do the marketing and public relations. Bombora launched in October 2006, followed by CooranBong.
Both brands are distilled from Barossa Valley grapes, and each taps a unique part of Australia’s culture — surfing for Bombora and aboriginal heritage for CooranBong. Bombora (about $23 for a 750-milliliter bottle) is sharp, clean and lasting. CooranBong ($30) is more viscous and rounded, with a fruity nose and hint of citrus.
Bringing two vodkas to market (they’ll be in 20 states by summer) has been what Michele calls a consuming experience, especially when balancing a steady stream of promotional and philanthropic events and parenting two teenagers at Shawnee Mission East High School. Still, it’s worth it, and they continue to be inspired by one of KC’s most enduring icons: Ewing Kauffman.
“I met him when I was 22, just a kid,” Dave says. “He said to follow your passion and don’t worry about the money. It usually works out.”
Passion also figures in the Stiletto story. Ray Edwards, the brand’s director, discovered the vodka through a family connection. He introduced it to Teresa Glidewell, who was living in the metro area at the time and working as a corporate brand manager for Sprint Nextel. After eight years the Topeka native was ready for a new challenge.
Glidewell joined with Donna Wagar of New Orleans and three minority partners to form Stiletto Brands and begin shaping the vodka’s American image. The bottle is sleek and frosted, and the label includes an Art Deco-style woman and Cyrillic lettering. — a sophisticated, sexy image. “Marketing and packaging sell the first bottle, but the quality of the product brings them back,” says Edwards, who also used to live in Kansas City.
Stiletto, which is imported and distributed by Sazerac affiliate Gemini Spirits & Wine, is distilled from Russian wheat. It has a grainy complexity, full and smooth with a lingering finish — what I think of as classic vodka character.
Mint, vanilla and chocolate versions are made by infusing Stiletto with natural extracts. The results taste fresh and pure enough to have captured the attention of Christopher Elbow, who offers a signature line of Stiletto chocolates at his store in the Crossroads Arts District.
So far, the vodka is sold only in Louisiana and Florida, but Edwards says it will be available in Kansas City by early May and retail for about $35. Meanwhile, he and Glidewell are shuttling between their Cass County home and New Orleans (where the holding company is based) to coordinate tastings, events and promotions.
“It’s high stress, but I haven’t regretted leaving my cubicle to do this,” Glidewell says.
CooranBong 75
Makes 1 serving
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce Champagne
Lemon twist, for garnish
Fill a shaker with ice, and add the first three ingredients. Shake, and then strain into a martini glass. Top with Champagne and garnish.
Per serving: 101 calories (none from fat), no fat, no cholesterol, 4 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, 1 milligram sodium, trace dietary fiber.
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