Well, fans of cannabis, today, "4/20," is unofficially celebrated around the world as a day of marijuana consumption and advocacy. It's a perfect day, therefore, to launch sales of a new vodka made from the seeds of hemp plants.
"Purgatory" is the brainchild of Wasilla-based Alaska Distillery, and it is unique in the world of marijuana-influenced spirits, the distillery's chief operating officer Bella Coley tells The Associated Press.
Other distillers, mainly in Canada and Europe, who work hemp seeds into their products just add the seeds to regular vodka before capping the bottle, but Alaska Distillery actually uses hemp seeds in the distillation.
"We wanted to be the first and the pioneers to do something with hemp seed, a real honest and earnest hemp seed vodka," Coley said.
Because tomorrow, "4/21," is unofficially celebrated as International Random Drug Test day, imbibers of the new vodka may be pleased to learn that it contains absolutely none of the psychoactive ingredients found in cannabis. A series of government tests of the seeds and the finished product ensure it's clean.
"... there's no 'wink wink' on that one," Coley said.
Purgatory will be launched in Alaska in Girdwood (where else) tonight, April 20.
Read more and see video from The AP (via the Washington Post), here.
And if you're wondering what Purgatory tastes like, a confirmed beer-drinker and Associated Press reporter was forced by his bosses to provide tasting notes. The verdict? He writes it lacks the antiseptic kick of the cheap vodka he was accustomed to drinking years ago. He describes it as "rich, creamy and smooth" and attests that it has a nutty, at times exotic aftertaste.