Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the last year, STAR-K certified a host of iconic brands in the\nalcoholic beverages category from almost all the way around the globe: from the\ngreen pastures of Kentucky, to the shores of Baltimore\u2019s Inner Harbor; crossing\nthe Atlantic Ocean to the Emerald Isle, Ireland; and completing the journey in Italy.\nThese newly kosher-certified brands include selected products from Baltimore\u2019s\nown Sagamore spirits; Wild Turkey and Skyy Vodka; Bailey\u2019s Irish Cream Original\n(STAR-D Dairy, non-cholov Yisroel<\/em>); and Frangelico, all of whom have joined\nthe STAR-K Family just this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kosher certification for spirits addresses a number of serious issues that have cropped up, as the industry has globalized and consolidated operations. Growing use of additives and processing aids that need certification \u2013 such as flavor chemicals, glycerin and the use of shared transportation bottling lines with dairy and non-kosher products \u2013 makes kosher certification more and more relevant, even in product categories that once were less problematic. In addition, the increasingly common practice of first-fill aging of whiskey in former wine and cognac barrels further complicates an already challenging matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The craft\ndistilling and brewing industry presents an exciting twist on a product\ncategory that was once simple from a kosher perspective but now present new\nchallenges that stem directly from these new trends. The addition of juices,\nvegetables, flavors \u2013 even seafood and bacon! \u2013 creates all kinds of havoc for\nthe kosher consumer, who at one time could treat a simple beer or whiskey as\nkosher as a bottle of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the\nproduction of spirits and cordials gets more complex, consumer demand for kosher\ncertification on alcoholic beverages grows every day. No longer are consumer\nand kosher agencies satisfied with lists and hearsay; they want the confidence\nof a kosher certificate and kosher symbol before choosing their drinks of\nchoice. In the cordials area, which has always required certification, the\ngrowing demand from kosher consumers has been noticed by major companies; they\nhave reacted by seeking out kosher certification, so their products can grace\nthe tables of kosher homes and at kosher-certified establishments and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, Israeli food labeling regulations have also created a demand for kosher certification to allow companies to expand their export business to Israel, a market with growing demand for the world\u2019s finest brands. STAR-K Israel, led by Rabbi Aharon Haskel, has been instrumental in helping kosher consumers worldwide get access to an ever-increasing number of kosher-certified alcoholic beverages, including Glenmorangie, Johnny Walker, Smirnoff and Tanqueray, all of which bear a STAR-K symbol when distributed in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n