In April 2006, South Carolina introduced an ultimately unique product to the nation - FireFly, the Lowcountry’s first official and only vodka and world’s only muscadine wine flavored vodka. FireFly is now available in South Carolina, Georgia, New York and Nevada.
The latest news comes from FireFly headquarters on Wadmalaw Island, where Jim Irvin who co-owns FireFly vodka with Scott Newitt as well as owns Irvin-House Vineyards, built a new FireFly distillery. Mr. Irvin is currently distilling a fine Southern brandy that will age for two years. His next product in line, that already has its following in Charleston, the popular Sweet Tea Vodka is made with American tea harvested on Wadmalaw Island and will hit the market in March 2008. Sweet Tea vodka is artisan vodka produced in small batches. In addition, the company will also produce “straight” FireFly which will not contain any flavors; this product is also scheduled for 2008
The idea of the vodka came from Scott Newitt of Coastal Wine. “FireFly falls into the premium vodka category, and it will soon become one of the most fashionable and popular spirits in South Carolina, “ says Newitt, “ This spring, expect FireFly to become the most called for spirit in cocktails in Charleston.
Firefly is born on Wadmalaw Island. The grapes are grown, hand harvested, and made into wine. The wine is then sent to the distillery in Lake Alfred, Florida, and a small amount is infused with the best five times distilled vodka, the finest vodka. The infusion of the wine with the vodka makes the customary heat associated with vodka fly away, and it is also the secret behind FireFly’s original taste and smoothness of the spirit. The infusion makes the “FIRE—FLY” away and creates a truly “Southern Flavored Sipping Vodka.”
“We’re honored to be introducing another South Carolinian product,” says Jim Irvin, “The launch of FireFly is a another “first” for not only the Lowcountry, but for the entire state.”
As the region’s first vodka, Newitt and Irvin, hope to establish and expand FireFly as the vodka of the Southeast, and more importantly, help South Carolina’s beverage industry grow, producing more South Carolinia products that will not only be enjoyed by locals, but by others in other parts of the Southeastern region as well.
Local artist Kevin Curran designed FireFly’s logo. Curran’s inspiration for the logo came from his own childhood memories of catching fireflies. The logo’s dark blue background with the palmetto moon was inspired by Lowcountry nights on the coastal waterways. Alum of the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Curran paints portraits and landscapes, as well as runs a graphic design and illustration studio in Charleston. He owns Curran Gallery on 12 Exchange Street in the historic district.
The History of Vodka
FireFly Vodka is produced by infusing fine muscadine wine with five times distilled vodka of the highest order. The award-winning muscadine wine is made from carefully selected grapes of the Lowcountry. FireFly is world's only muscadine flavored vodka. The infusion with wine produces exquisitely clean, crisp and smooth vodka.
Vodka's history spans centuries. The origins of this liquor date back to the eighth century in Russia or Poland . Until these days, it is not clear where this popular alcoholic drink originated, but Russia , Poland and Sweden played major role in its development. For decades, vodka went through many changes and improvements, until the distilling techniques were developed in Russian in the 12 th century. As early as in the 15 th century different flavors were used to improve the aroma and flavor of the product.
Vodka made its way through Europe centuries before it was introduced to America by a Russian immigrant by the name of Smirnoff in the mid 20 th century. But, vodka was very unpopular until a South Carolina salesman developed a marketing strategy to promote the Smirnoff Vodka as a no taste, no smell liquor in the 1940s. Today, U.S. vodka remains without taste or smell.
Distilling techniques and infusions further improved the flavor of vodka. First vodka was made from potatoes and wheat, although rye was considered to produce the finest taste. Today, vodka is the most popular alcoholic drink in the United States .
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