Heritage & Distillery
The collaboration between Vera Wang and Chopin distillery represents the intersection of two worlds — American fashion design and Polish artisan distilling — united by a shared commitment to craftsmanship and an appreciation for quality materials. Wang, whose personal preference for vodka is well documented, selected the Augusta potato variety as the base for this expression — a choice that produces a spirit distinctly different from Chopin's standard potato vodka, with a lighter, more floral character that reflects Wang's aesthetic sensibility. The litre bottle, presented in packaging designed by Wang's team, is an object of considerable elegance.
Production
Hand-picked Augusta potatoes — a variety selected specifically for this collaboration — are quadruple-distilled at the Podlasie distillery using the same meticulous process that has made Chopin one of the world's most acclaimed vodka producers. The Augusta potato is a later-harvesting variety with a subtly different flavour profile from the potatoes used in Chopin's standard expression — producing a spirit with more pronounced floral and cucumber notes and a lighter, more delicate body. Like all Chopin vodkas, the Vera Wang expression is unfiltered, preserving the full range of flavour compounds that the distillation process retains.
Tasting Notes
The nose is floral and refined — cucumber, rose petal, vanilla, and the characteristic earthy depth of potato vodka, presented with a delicacy and elegance that distinguish this expression from Chopin's standard offering. On the palate, the vodka is elegant and silky, with floral cucumber, white rose, vanilla cream, and a gentle minerality. It is lighter and more delicate than the standard Chopin Potato — a distinctly different spirit rather than merely a repackaged version of the existing product. The finish is long and refined, with floral notes, cucumber freshness, and a gentle warming close.
The Serve
This vodka demands elegant treatment — serve chilled in a fine crystal glass, perhaps with a thin slice of cucumber as the sole garnish. In a Martini, the floral notes create a cocktail of exceptional refinement. The cucumber character also makes it an outstanding base for a Hendrick's-style Vodka & Tonic with cucumber and rose water.
Verdict
The Chopin Vera Wang collaboration is a genuine meeting of minds rather than a cynical brand exercise — the Augusta potato selection produces a spirit of real distinction, and Wang's aesthetic sensibility is evident in the spirit's lighter, more floral character. At one hundred and five pounds for a litre, it is a luxury purchase, but the quality justifies the investment for those who appreciate vodka at its most refined. A beautiful spirit in every sense.
