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Mako Vodka Merchandise
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The best way of
protecting the
future...is to
preserve it....
So we at
"Take Little Bites"
are donating a
percentage of
our profits to
help save our
waters and all their wonders,
so that they can be
enjoyed for many
years to come.

Mako Vodka - Fun, Smooth, Real

Buy Online
I have a retail liquor license and would like to stock my shelves.

Connecticut -
Interwine
210 Old Gate Lane, Milford, CT 06460
(203) 876-2830

Florida -
Premier Beverage CO. LLC
9801 Premier Parkway
Miramr, FL 33205
Tel: 954-436-9200

Massachusets -
Ruby Wines, Inc.
625 Bodwell Street Extension
Avon, Massachusettes 02322-007
Tel: 508.588.7007
Fax: 508.588.7997

Nebraska -
Sterling Distributors
44335 S. 96th St.
Omaha, Nebraska 68127
Phone 402-339-2300

New Jersey -
American B.D. Co.
25 DeBoer Drive, Glen Rock
(201) 689-1200

New York -
Opici Cazanove Wine Company
1 Dupont Street, Suite 101, Plainview
(516) 349-5531

Reviews

Vodka - Mako

Mako Vodka
Take Little Bites LLC., Lake Alfred Florida (24' 27.140 N 081'51.690'W )
PROOF: 80 (40%)
AGE: Not Applicable
TYPE: American, Grain

PRICE: $13.99 - 750 ML

Notes: This vodka is produced in Lake Alfred, Florida, and is made with purified water, triple distilled and charcoal filtered.

10% of their profits go to preserving coral reefs and wetlands- so you not only can have a great time but help the environment without getting that tuxedo dirty.

Appearance: Crystal clear, no sediment whatsoever. On swirling it leaves a thin clear coat on the inside of the glass with uniform legs. It sits in the glass and almost shines at you.

First Impression: Alcohol and grain, almost a pecan flavor or similar nut. No trace of off notes. Well done distillation. Taste: Quicksilver slide past the tongue and a wonderful warm finish. Slightly oily body but not too heavy-this was not doped up with sugar, glycerin, or vanilla like a lot of others. A very clean vodka!

Drinks: Chilling it down increases the thickness and makes this far too easy for drinking it straight. The martini was wonderful (use a twist not an olive too complement its delicacy).

NOTE: Use Noilly Prat and keep the vermouth refrigerated after opening for the best taste.

Final Thoughts: One of the best vodkas for the money. A premium vodka with a price that is not premium for once. Don't be fashion victim -Save a Goose and some money. Well done, Michael!

Bottle: Clear glass bottle with rounded shoulders, with a large Mako shark silk screened on it with a small drawing of a coral above. Simple tasteful silk screened statement on the back and a drawing of a coral reef at the bottom. Ocean blue neck foil finishes off a simple striking package.

www.spiritsreview.com

Saturday, August 5, 2006
Home - Business

Jupiter entrepreneur cleaning up with vodka with a message

Each bottle of Mako vodka lists the name of a reef and its coordinates. The brand's Jupiter creator hopes the bottles will become collectibles.

By Michelle Sheldone
michelle.sheldone@scripps.com

August 4, 2006

JUPITER — A local "shark" carries a message in a bottle: "Help save America's waters."

There are no messages inside Mako vodka bottles, but rather labeled on them.

Proceeds from the brand's Florida sales benefit coral reefs, while profits elsewhere help protect wetlands and similarly threatened environments. This week, the shark began treading bars, restaurants and liquor stores in Nebraska.

"We love to fish, love to swim and most of us love to hunt," said Mako creator Michael Politano of Jupiter. "I have a daughter. I want the reefs to be in good shape for her, her kids' kids and their kids. If we don't step up to the plate ... the reefs won't be here and if the reefs aren't here, the fish won't be here."

The 44-year-old Long Island, N.Y., native was dividing his time as a private club manager on Jupiter Island and Nantucket in 2002 when he noticed the markup on imports.

"This is ridiculous," Politano told a friend. "We're paying for import taxes and the bottle."

His drive to create a great tasting, reasonably priced American competitor drew scoffs from those who considered him foolish for going against "the big boys," he said.

But Politano persisted with much the same tenacity as the shark for which his vodka is named. Distributors referred him to distilleries, and he devised a marketing plan to convince Florida Distilleries in Lake Alfred the idea was financially viable. He then hired Bright Ideas Marketing in Jupiter to refine that plan.

A few months and plenty of tastings later, Politano and the folks at Florida Distilleries came up with an 80-proof formula they agreed was foolproof. Made with 99.9 percent purified water, triple distilled and charcoal filtered, the product that became Mako was clean, crisp and "for lack of better words, didn't give you a hangover," he said.

The trade publication, "Spirits Review," called it "one of the best vodkas for the money" — and consumers apparently agree.

Politano, through his drink-responsibly-named company Take Little Bites, planned to distribute in Florida for two to three years. But soon after launching Mako instate in 2005, he signed on distributors throughout the northeast. The vodka brand began hitting Nebraska shelves on Wednesday. Each bottle carries an environmental label and the name of a coral reef with its latitude-longitude coordinates. The reef information changes every 2,500 cases, but Politano — an avid diver and snorkel fisherman — these days doesn't actually make use of it on the ocean.

"I don't have time," he said.

Suggested Mako retail prices range from $13.99 to $23.99 a bottle, according to size. Depending upon where customers purchase the product, 10 percent of sales go to nonprofit organizations like Reef Relief and the Coastal and New York Fishing Conservation Associations.
Politano estimates contributions to date have exceeded $10,000.

Testimonials

“We are typically not vodka drinkers but we tried Mako and think it is fantastic! We can’t wait for Mako to be available in New York.
- Mr. and Mrs. Mauro
Long Beach, NY

“I tasted Mako Vodka while I was on vacation in Florida. Not only was the drink clean and crisp by itself, but it mixed well too. I would definitely buy this brand of vodka when out at the bars as well as for my home. I only wish it were distributed out here in California. Maybe soon. We can only hope.”
- Mason Thune
San Francisco, CA

“I was first intrigued by the Mako Vodka bottle on the shelf at my local liquor store and after it was highly recommended by the owner I decided to go out on a limb and purchase a bottle. I was amazed at how smooth it tasted and such a great price. I will never buy another brand of vodka again and always order Mako when I am out!” This is an excellent Vodka!. I whole heartedly recommend this Vodka for its smoothness plus the lack of hangover in the morning.”
- Joe Griffith
Daytona Beach, Florida

“Smooth, pleasant, satisfying, everything a great vodka should be. Mako will always have a place in my liquor cabinet.”
- Jim Steiner
North Palm Beach, Florida

“Never lets you down. Clean, affordable vodka with a great taste. Why spend twice as much for another vodka that is not any better than Mako?”
- Maureen Magee
Jupiter, Florida

“From one to ten I would definitely give Mako a 10”
- Amy Springer
Boca Raton, Florida

"It's a real treat to find a Vodka like this one. The high character of its producers shows in the quality of their product and in their dedication to preserving the habitat of its namesake."
-Ganim Jacob
Nantucket, Massachusetts

"I moved here from up north and was set on Vox and Grey Goose. I’ve also visited Red Square in Las Vegas (known for Russian Vodka). Mako can run with the big dogs and I highly recommend it. I hope you continue to grow your supply chain so others can enjoy Mako Vodka."
-John DiPietro, Port Saint Lucie, FL

We welcome additional testimonials! Please e-mail caroline@makovodka.com if you have any comments about Mako Premium Vodka to add to our website!

Mako Vodka reminds you to "Take Little Bites."