Photo by Deb Jacques Proceeds from each purchase of Jaguar vodka, be it by the bottle or the glass, will be earmarked to help preserve jaguar habitat in the Amazon Rainforest.

A sweet drink

Shores company introduces
new vodka trend that’s
helping save jaguar habitat

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

Have you ever heard of sweet-tasting vodka distilled from pure sugarcane? You may have, but according to the distributor of a fairly new drink, you haven’t tasted anything like Jaguar vodka.

“It’s sweeping the state and the nation,” said Thomas Cleaver, owner of Prestige Imports LLC.

Cleaver, already well known locally for his efforts through the We Are Here Foundation and for introducing to the area four years ago the similar-tasting Amazon Rainforest vodka, began distribution in November when Prestige Imports LLC opened their doors on Greater Mack.

After spending months evaluating samples from numerous distilleries in their attempts to find that perfect vodka taste, Prestige Imports LLC selected a centuries-old, award-winning sugar cane recipe in Barbados.

“It’s going like wildfire,” Cleaver said. “It’s gone coast to coast in just a few months.”

The 250-year-old family recipe was given to Prestige Imports LLC after it was learned that sales from the vodka would help save the jaguar and the rainforest. “It can’t be duplicated,” Cleaver said.

With each purchase of Jaguar vodka, Prestige Imports LLC aids in the preservation of the world’s rainforests by setting aside proceeds to donate to appropriate preservation funds.

Since these critical rainforests are being destroyed at an alarming rate, Cleaver said, he opted to help preserve the actual habitat of the jaguar. 

The jaguar is the largest cat in the western hemisphere and is the third-largest cat in the world. Called the most proficient predator on Earth, the jaguar thrives near water, trees and in the rainforest.

Rainforests occupy only 2 percent of Earth’s surface but supply 63 percent of the planet’s fresh oxygen. Over half of the Earth’s animals and 75 percent of Earth’s plants live in rainforests.

Prestige Imports LLC has made the effort possible through a partnership with the Rain Trust Foundation, and the purchase of 2.5 million square feet of jaguar habitat.                            

And what makes the vodka unique is how it is made.

“It’s double distilled from sugar cane. Cleaver said. “It’s different from the vodka people are used to from Europe or Russia, which is distilled from grain or potatoes.”

Prestige Imports Executive Coordinator Rose Sarti said at  nearly every convention she attends, Jaguar vodka is a hit — it’s also a big request during family gatherings.

“I love it,” she said. “It makes a nice martini; it’s a great product. It’s different.”

Sarti said she has yet to learn of another product that does what Jaguar vodka sets out to accomplish.

“That’s why it’s so unique; people are drawn to it because it’s something special,” she said.

The vodka is distilled from pure Caribbean sugar cane molasses, and the purest and cleanest coral and limestone filtered water. Afterward it is distilled a minimum five times under low temperature, Cleaver said.

“Our pure sugar cane is harvested and turned into a pure thick black molasses, not available anywhere else,” said Cleaver.

And for the first time, many beer distributors are selling Jaguar vodka, including Petitpren in Macomb County, Cleaver said.

“It’s the hottest selling vodka out there,” he said, adding that during the Bar and Night Club Show in Las Vegas last November, Jaguar vodka won 716 tasting competitions. “People like it because it’s just better.”

Jaguar vodka is now sold in restaurant/bars and liquor stores in St. Clair Shores, Detroit, Hazel Park, Grosse Pointe Park and Hamtramck.

Local restaurant and bar Eastside Howard’s began carrying Jaguar vodka two weeks ago.

Manager Matt LeFevre said the drink has been well received.

“It’s a crisp, clean tasting vodka. It’s smooth,” said LeFevre, adding that customers can come in and enjoy Jaguar vodka during Eastside Howard’s first anniversary celebration in July. “It (the Jaguar vodka bottle) also has a nice presentation. We’ve had a good response from it.”

St. Clair Shore resident Mike Archibald, owner of Devise Creative, designed the bottle. The bottles are purchased from France, Cleaver said. From there, they are sent to Barbados, where the distinctive-tasting vodka is made and poured. Then it’s off to the United States.

To find out where you can purchase a bottle Jaguar vodka or to find local restaurants that serve the spirit, go to www.jaguarvodka.com or call (800) 311-8523.