February 4, 2009 (New York, NY): Party, After Party. Night, Late Night. Belvedere IX (pronounced One-X) is the new super premium spirit from Belvedere that brings the best in vodka quality and exciting innovation to the nightlife scene.
“With the introduction of Belvedere IX, we have created a new style of vodka,” says Charles Gibb, president of Millennium – The Vodka and Rum Division of Moet Hennessy. “Its distinctive packaging and taste were specifically developed to capture the excitement and energy of the night.”
THE PRODUCT
Belvedere IX is a breakthrough in vodka innovation – a new style of vodka produced using similar methodology to that of gin and not just artificially flavored vodka. With initial availability primarily in nightclubs, Belvedere IX is the first vodka to embody the spirit of the night. Belvedere IX has nine ingredients, ginseng, guarana, acai, ginger, sweet almond, jasmine, eucalyptus, three cinnamon, and black cherry, blended seamlessly to create a warm and enlivening note on the nose. These ingredients are individually distilled in micro-batches before being expertly blended with 50% ABV (100 proof) Belvedere Vodka and artesian water, to express the characteristics of the ingredients and deliver a unique drinking experience, mixed with cocktails or as a shot.
The tasting notes include:
Nose: Floral, sweet spice aromas with notes of fresh citrus and ginger with a soft yet refreshing menthol lift.
Palate: Bold and intricate with uplifting sweet spice followed by invigorating ginger warmth. Smooth, yet intense, with menthol complexity tempered by gentle sweet almond and jasmine undercurrents.
Finish: Sustained finish with a characteristic Belvedere flourish of vanilla and white pepper.
“Never before has there been a spirit created specifically to embrace the dark and seductive moments of the night,” says Belvedere Vodka’s Global Brand Ambassador Claire Smith. “Belvedere IX’s blend of nine captivating ingredients embodies the intensity of nighttime pursuits and provides the perfect antidote to other mundane drinking experiences.”
THE ARTIST
With the release of IX, Belvedere continues to assert its Luxury Reborn message with powerful references to contemporary culture, as shown in the creation of the packaging. The design is the result of a collaboration with graffiti artist Andre Saraiva, who conceived a new personality to inhabit the Belvedere Palace: Mr. IX. For the artwork, Andre drew inspiration from his iconic graffiti seen on the streets of Paris since the late 1980s, where he began many projects such as the Black Block abstract art boutique in the Palais de Tokyo, Paris. Described by Sam Keller, director of Art Basel Miami Beach, as a ‘social alchemist,’ and as co-proprietor of the iconic Le Baron nightclub in Paris, Andre continually combines his conceptual nightclub work with break-out innovations in art to significantly inspire popular culture today.
Andre’s reach and influence extends around the globe and continues to flourish in the customization of this new bottle. Here he reveals his new creation, a ‘tagged’ glossy black Belvedere bottle with electric pink graffiti, reinventing Belvedere’s trademark palace and trees and transforming the brand into a vision of the night.
THE LAUNCH
Beginning February 2009, Belvedere IX will launch in nightclubs in the United States, with additional club distributions to follow. Throughout 2009, IX presence will grow across the globe with availability in countries such as Canada, UK, France, Singapore and Australia. 750ml, 1 liter, and 1.75 liter bottles will be available in the US.
Belvedere will also collaborate with Andre for a series of events to launch IX in the US in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Chicago along with a global launch event at the Cannes International Film Festival, May 2009.