In fall 2013, SLT UK and Edrington supported a pilot study in Kyrgyzstan using 10 remote sensor research cameras to photograph and count snow leopards in the important Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve. The following spring, they enabled the launch of a full study using over 30 cameras. This is the first long-term, systematic survey of snow leopard populations in Kyrgyzstan! The first-ever snow leopard population monitoring program in Kyrgyzstan was made possible by Snow Leopard Vodka 4) Handicrafts and Women Empowerment Long before his meeting with Aztai, Stephen Sparrow had resolved to invest his boundless energy into saving these endangered cats. What’s unusual about the vodka – apart from the fact that it supports a wildlife charity – is that it uses spelt grain. This ancient grain was known to have been around as long ago as 5,000BC, was farmed by the ancient Egyptians, and today in Europe is sparelycultivated, mostly in Central Europe and northern Spain. Only a few other vodkas use spelt, partly because the grain is about five times as expensive as normal grains. Other vodkas using spelt include Konik’s Tail and V-One Vodka, both made in Poland.

He decided to travel freely and towards the end of his expedition, ending up in Nepal. That’s where he heard a lot about the snow leopard and decided to research on the animal that he thought was a mystical creature. After learning about the danger snow leopards faces from animal poaching and farmers that kill them in retaliation to the loss of their herds, Sparrow decided to help the conservation of this endangered species. He started talking to the Snow Leopard Trust on ways to contribute, with the aim of making a significant and worthwhile difference. So when the low funded conservation for an almost extinct beautiful cat became the unmistakable choice, Sparrow went all out. They’re the kind of partner we need to massively grow the business from where we are now to reach our conservation goals”, Stephen says. His own commitment to snow leopards and their namesake spirit will continue as well:This acquisition broadens Next Frontier Brands' platform of premium spirits by adding a high quality brand that is socially conscious. Established in 2006, Snow Leopard Vodka is a uniquely luxurious spelt grain vodka that is crafted in Poland and distilled six times using natural spring water and filtered twice through charcoal to ensure purity and quality. Graded "exceptional" by experts at the Beverage Tasting Institute, it has alsoreceived high honors from Tasting.com and the Ultimate Spirit Challenge. The Snow Leopard Trust is the biggest organisation working to save these endangered animals, and ex-drinks industry man Stephen Sparrow set up the UK branch of the organisation after hearing of the snow leopard’s plight on a visit to the Himalayas.To help fund the project, Sparrow also established Snow Leopard Vodka, donating 15% of the company’s profits direct to The Snow Leopard Trust UK. Snow Leopard Vodka About Snow Leopard Vodka The Acquisition of Snow Leopard Vodka Adds a Socially-Conscious Premium Spirit to Next Frontier Brands' Beverage Portfolio

Improvements came with letting it warm up to room temperature, though. That slightly rough edge disappeared and it became much smoother on the palate. I thought there was a hint of liquorice in there too, which increased with one or two more sips. I have a lifelong commitment to snow leopard conservation. I hope we’ll have reached a tipping point in the brand’s growth in five years or so. Once we’ve secured the long term business success of Snow Leopard Vodka, I’d like to devote more time to being involved in the snow leopard conservation work itself – just continuing to help.” Helping however he canSnow Leopard vodka was first produced in 2006 in small batches. At Polmos Lublin, an over 100 years old distillery 125 miles from Warsaw, the vodka undergoes a 6-stage distillation process through a continuous column still using natural spring water drawn from an artesian well. The spirit is then filtered twice over charcoal, producing soft yet full bodied tasting vodka with a distinctive nutty taste from the spelt. The master distiller is Joanna Dawidowicz who has 30 years’ experience in making award winning vodkas. Pairing his entrepreneurial talent with his passion for wildlife, he founded Snow Leopard Vodka, a premium spirit whose proceeds would go to conservation projects. Riding his bicycle from door to door, Stephen tirelessly sold bottle after bottle of his boutique vodka to bars and restaurants, slowly growing its reputation. The next step: growing the brand It was this desire to help that brought Stephen to Mongolia – and face to face with Aztai – this spring. In fact, Edrington is owned by a charitable trust and is the largest contributor to charities in its homeland, Scotland, and also donates to charities around the world. There, he had his encounter with Aztai – ”a huge privilege”, as he calls it. A well-deserved reward, one might add. A cold drink when the work is done