3 Kilos Vodka – Much more then a drink it is a lifestyle!

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“When doing something like this, there is no room for mistakes.”

Steven Spencer

3 Kilos Vodka Salty Caramel

50 mL 3 Kilos Vodka GOLD

1 Shot of Espresso

20 mL Caramel Syrup

10 mL Agave/Simple Syrup

Garnish Glass rim with Salt and Cane Sugar and three coffee beans

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well and strain your cocktail into a glass filled with ice. Garnish salt and sugar rim and cocktail with coffee beans and Enjoy!

It’s the holidays; the time for parties, family gatherings, and gift giving. It is a time for laughter, fun, and some spirits to set the mood. You’ve made the wise decision to pick up something to bring to the family gathering. Your next big decision: What to serve and drink from the incalculable number of bottles and labels strewn across your liquor store shelves.

One of the trending business ventures for top list celebrities is in the spirit industry. A major shift happened when a former Cristal staffer spoke disparagingly about hip-hop embracing the brand in 2006. That led Jay-Z to call for a boycott of the company, and he went on to get involved in the liquor business himself, investing in Armand de Brignac (better known as Ace of Spades).

Think about it; whenever you see a skinny, crystal clear bottle of Cîroc vodka in a liquor store, it’s difficult to separate it from Sean “Diddy” Combs. It’s likely that 95% of the time you see Diddy in public, he’s cradling a bottle of Cîroc.

Of course, we can’t leave out the prince of Toronto, Drake. For those unfamiliar, Virginia Black originally debuted back in 2016 as a partnership between Drake and liquor entrepreneur Brent Hocking. It is advertised as a, “personally selected collection of two, three and four-year bourbon finished with a touch of decadence.” 

Now, I am proud to announce that the Caribbean community in Toronto has a spirit of their own. I had a chance to speak with Stephen Spencer, one of the partners involved in the licensing of 3 Kilos Vodka here in Canada.

3 Kilos is the name of this Dutch vodka that comes in a bottle resembling gold bars. For anyone who has experienced 3 Kilos Vodka, it is much more than a drink it is a lifestyle. This masterfully blended vodka is bottled on site in their signature patented gold bar shape bottles, which assists in shielding the vodka from light deterioration. Made in South Holland, 3 Kilos Vodka consistently delivers the golden standard of quality straight from their distillery into your anxiously awaiting glass.

Vodka Awards “The Fifty Best” has consecutively awarded 3 Kilos Vodka Gold 999.9 the Double Gold Medal for Best Premium Imported Vodka 2017 and Gold Medal for Best Premium Imported Vodka 2016 and 2018. The SIP Awards has awarded 3 Kilos Vodka Gold 999.9 the Double Gold Medal for the best bottle design in 2018.

When I finally had a chance to catch up with Steven, he openly shared with me how the licensing came to be, and the excitement that it has stirred across the GTA

“This started off with one of the partners making an inquiry about this bottle that was brought back from the states,” Steve tells me. “Admittedly, it is very impressive to look at; impressive enough that when someone in Dubai saw it they curiously asked, ‘Where can I get that bottle?’

Carrie Martin, our partners, and myself decided to make a pitch for licensing, and of course we got it. We are now responsible for Africa, the Caribbean, Dubai and Canada. It was a proud moment, especially for the fact that we are one of the only Black owners of a spirit here in Canada. We made a pitch to the LCBO in 2020, and we are actually in the LCBO this year. We are one of the first people of colour to have a bottle in the LCBO.”

CocoGold was their first item to be featured, and they sold out their allotment in early December 2021. 3 Kilos Vodka Coco Gold is a masterfully blended fusion of fresh coconuts and natural flavours with the distinct and refined taste of the five times distilled 3 Kilos Vodka Gold 999.9.

They also have featured 3 Kilos Vodka Gold 999.9. It embodies the purity and strength of the gold standard set forth by the opening of the US Bullion Depository at Fort Knox in 1937.

The brand has done so well that attracting partnerships was easy.

“We are currently partnering with hoteliers, and high end restaurants throughout the city. We even have a partnership with G98.7. We have plans to get into the Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia markets. In the matter of four months we have done very well.”

Stepping into any new business brings its challenges. Stephen shares with me what many may not know about the spirit industry.

“Getting into the LCBO was no easy feat. We were a new brand, and there are new products being introduced to them every day. Once we were in, we had to deal with pricing, and distribution challenges. Thankfully, the LCBO has worked with us to help move 3 Kilos throughout Ontario. They see the potential in what this product can do and they have been extremely supportive.

COVID-19 had its own impact on the business; the cost of shipping the bottles went up, and we had to include that into our pricing as well. Like any other business, there are challenges, but we have been able to navigate them well”

There is better news for our 3 Kilos fans; they will be introducing Pure Ultra Premium Vodka in 2022. It is amazing to see the success that collaboration can bring; let us all hold up a glass this holiday and say, “Cheers,” to the team at 3 Kilos. You have made your community very proud.

I think we have time for one last drink recipe to try when you pick up your next bottle of 3 Kilos. It is a way to celebrate all the good, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy a relaxing holiday. It isn’t just a drink; it is a community.

3 Kilos Vodka Coco Azur 

50 mL 3 Kilos Vodka Coco Gold

25 mL Piñaq Blue

30 mL Pineapple Juice

15 mL Blue Curacao

10 mL Lime Juice

Garnish with Mint and Coconut Flakes

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well and strain your cocktail into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with mint and coconut flakes and Enjoy!