Valley vodka rated 'superb'

By William Freebairn

HADLEY - Valley Vodka Inc.'s V One has garnered a top review in a leading wine magazine as it continues to expand its distribution.

Company President Paul J. Kozub said this week that the review in the March 2006 issue of Wine Enthusiast ranked V One vodka as "superb" with a rating of 90 to 95 points. Only a handful of vodkas have received the rating every year, according to the magazine's web site.

"They're one of the biggest magazines out there for this," said Kozub.

Competitor Grey Goose also received a "superb" rating several years ago, and continues to use the rating in advertising, Kozub said.

The March issue of the magazine was released last week, and Kozub is taking advantage of the review through the use of store tags that note the rating and are intended to hang beneath the product on liquor store shelves.

Kozub said he declined to purchase an advertisement in the magazine offered after the publication completed its review.

"They liked it on its own merits," he said.

Kozub launched V One six months ago today after having the product distilled to his specifications in Poland. The vodka is available for sale in more than 100 liquor stores and bars in Massachusetts, and Kozub said he may expand shortly to an adjacent state.

He said he has sold hundreds of cases of the vodka since its debut last year. He declined to be more specific for competitive reasons.

The vodka is one of the biggest-selling brands at several large liquor stores, Kozub noted.

V One sells for $26 a bottle in area stores.

© 2006 The Republican