For Immediate Release:

Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Vanilla Beans lend a creamy, floral taste to North Shore Distillery's Tahitian Vanilla Vodka

WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS (March 12, 2013) – Vanilla vodka has long been a mainstay at the liquor store, but North Shore Distillery has changed the meaning of "vanilla vodka" in a delicious new way, using Nielsen-Massey vanilla beans. Vanilla's 300 distinctive flavor compounds add a uniquely complex and exotic flavor to vodka when used in bean form.

"When we infused Nielsen-Massey's amazing Tahitian vanilla beans into our vodka, we were impressed with the spirit's rich, multidimensional vanilla flavor and velvety texture," said Derek Kassebaum, master distiller and co-founder of the North Shore Distillery, LLC in Lake Bluff, Ill. "Our friends at Nielsen-Massey taught us that Tahitian vanilla beans are truly unique. Unlike other types of vanilla, they add delicate floral notes and a creamy texture, which we were able to capture in our Tahitian Vanilla Vodka."

Nielsen-Massey works directly with vanilla bean growers in Tahiti to ensure the beans they use are in the best possible condition for their world-class extracts made at their family-run facility in Waukegan. The rare, expensive Tahitian Vanilla Bean is known for its floral, fruity, cherry-like flavors.

Similarly, North Shore Distillery works with Midwestern grain and the best herbs, fruits and botanicals from around the world to handcraft world-class distilled spirits at their family run facility in Lake Bluff.

North Shore Distillery's Tahitian Vanilla Vodka is sippable and delicious over ice, perhaps garnished with a cinnamon stick. It also mixes very well with a range of fruits, spices, coffee and tea. Another popular use is for a flavorful cocktail such as the Tahitian Vanilla Cosmopolitan recipe below. This spirit is available in cocktails, tastings and by the bottle at North Shore's tasting room in Lake Bluff.

Tahitian Vanilla Cosmopolitan

1-1/2 oz North Shore Tahitian Vanilla Vodka (created using Nielsen-Massey Tahitian vanilla beans)
1-1/2 oz Cranberry Juice
1/2 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
1/4 - 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice (to taste)

Shake ingredients with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a fresh cranberry, or an orange twist.

About North Shore Distillery
North Shore Distillery is the first artisanal distillery in the Chicago area (and in Illinois), established in 2004. The company produces unique spirits that provide modern connoisseurs with an unparalleled taste experience. Although a small operation – two founders, Derek and Sonja Kassebaum, a few employees and a still, Ethel – they bring a discriminating personal touch and hands-on craftsmanship to everything they make. North Shore Distillery challenges the status quo by providing discerning customers world-class spirits, produced locally. To learn more about North Shore Distillery, visit www.northshoredistillery.com.

About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey's Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are Allergen-Free and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

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Photos are available upon request. For more information about Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, contact:
Gardi Wilks, gwilks@savoragency.com
Savor – the food agency, 847.556.7511