From Virginia With Love   Who needs Russian vodka when you can buy a premium brand distilled right here in Virginia? RICHMOND--Two years ago when imbibing martinis with his friend (and now partner) Chris Kardian, Paul McCann wondered, "Why is it that all of the premium brand

vodkas are imported?”

 

After a bit of research, McCann found that consumers were gravitating toward distilled spirits, especially vodka, as their drink of choice. Yet Americans produced only a handful of premium brands, and even fewer made them from potatoes.

To capitalize on growing market of premium vodka drinkers, in 2004 McCann formed The Parched Group, LLC, owner of Cirrus brand vodka. When asked how he came up with the name "Parched Group" and "Cirrus Vodka", Paul responds that we wanted to have a company name that drew attention but was not offensive or derogatory.

 

“It just made sense, especially if we were going to be a distilled spirits manufacturer," says McCann. "Regarding the product, my brother Ray came up with the name. What we found was that when cirrus clouds are present, good weather almost always follows. Having a name that reflected clarity and distinction was a name that we felt we wanted to have associated with our product”.

 

In August of the same year, McCann began development of his super-premium triple-distilled Cirrus Vodka in the downtown Richmond commercial district. Fourteen months later Cirrus Vodka had been awarded two silver medals in international competition for the vodka spirit and a bronze for the tastefully designed packaging.

 

Nonetheless, that was not good enough. After some tweaking, McCann re-entered the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In what was deemed as one of the largest spirits competitions to date in the United States, Cirrus Vodka was awarded the gold medal by some of the most influential spirits industry professionals in the country. This year six out of the seven continents (only Antarctica was missing) were represented, making this a globally influential spirits competition.

 

In response, Mr. McCann says, “I am blessed that we have been able to design a "triple" distillation process that yields a high quality and ultra-smooth vodka. Hence, the best tasters in the world have described Cirrus Vodka as wonderfully full-bodied, slightly sweet, and with a creamy vodka flavor, “highly recommended.”

 

Apparently, the Virginia = state Alcoholic Beverage Control felt as though Cirrus Vodka was a quality product they needed to have in their stores. The brand had it all. A multiple award winning product, a premium brand made from potatoes that is competitive internationally and most of all it is a Virginia product.

 

In June, Cirrus Vodka rolled into selected Virginia state ABC stores in Richmond, Petersburg, Tidewater and Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Blacksburg, and Abingdon. According to Paul, sales have been brisk and the response beyond expectations. More than 60 hotels, bars, and restaurants -- The Tobacco Company, Havana 59, Can Can, Bottega’s, Sine’, Cabo’s, PF Chang’s, Julep’s, Patina Grill, Shula’s 2, and Fleming’s -- have taken on the product in the first two weeks of distribution.

 

When asked about the early success of his Cirrus Vodka brand, Paul states: “The reason I went into the spirits business was about creative expression, love of the culinary, and "great vodka". I always knew that I wanted to be a manufacturer but never thought it would be distilled spirits. I am just pleased to be able to do it right here in Virginia”.