Kosher Certification Award

PR%F Awards to honor tequila brands with this special distinction and medal.

By Stephanie Blitz The Architect of

Words

PR%F Awards proudly includes a special Kosher Certification Award for tequila in its lineup. This award allows tequila makers to highlight this special certification and for PR%F Awards to honor those brands with this unique distinction and medal.

Enter your tequila and supply us with your formal letter of Kosher certification. PR%F Awards is pleased to give your brand the credit it deserves with an additional medal to highlight this accreditation.

But first things first—we need to have the kosher conversation.

Let’s Talk Kosher 101

In the English language, the word “kosher” can mean proper or acceptable. Kosher laws are rooted in Jewish scriptures and traditions. It is complex and filled with debates having been around for centuries. However, since this is Kosher 101, we will stick to the basics (for your sake and ours).

By definition, a Kosher Certification is the stamp of Kosher approval by a rabbinic agency. It is a symbol that verifies the following variables have been properly checked. This includes:

• Product Ingredients

• Production Facility

• Production Process

This ensures the ingredients, derivatives, tools, and machinery have no trace of non-kosher substances such as pork and shellfish. The Kosher Certified symbol reassures consumers that the actual product and the process by which it was made follow all the requirements of Kosher law. One of the main aspects of Kosher law involves keeping meat and dairy separate. For that reason, kosher products always delineate whether they are meat, dairy, or pareve (bonus term!), meaning it is free of both meat and dairy.

What Makes Tequila Kosher?

Kosher tequila is made in the same way as regular tequila, except that it is distilled in accordance with Jewish dietary laws. This means it is distilled in a kosher facility under the observance of a mashgiach (a Jewish individual who supervises the kosher status of an establishment) and made with kosher ingredients. Kosher tequila is available in all the same grades as regular tequila and can be used in the same way. If you are looking for a Kosher tequila, you should look for one certified by a reputable Kosher certification body.

The Fantastic Four Kosher Certifications

Here are the four Kosher Certifications eligible for earning this special edition PR%F Awards medal.

1. Circle K

An industry projected to reach $25.6 billion by 2026, Circle-K Kosher products sell 20 percent better than competing non-kosher brands. The Circle-K has been around since 1935. It is a registered trademark of Kosher Certification with a longstanding history and is recognized worldwide, respected, and universally accepted. It is also referred to as OK, letting those with Kosher dietary restrictions know the food or beverage is acceptable to consume.

2. Circle U

The letter “U” in a circle is the registered kosher certification mark of the Orthodox Union. They tend to have stricter standards and require a certain Mashgiach—the person in charge of supervising the facility—to oversee the production process to give the stamp of approval. The “OU” symbol by itself indicates that the food is pareve, which is that special kosher terminology mentioned earlier. It means the product doesn’t contain meat or dairy but may contain fish, eggs, or honey.

3. Circle K-D

Circle K-D stands for Certified Kosher Dairy. It simply means that the product contains some form of dairy and, according to kosher law, cannot be mixed with a product that contains meat. Cheers to wines and spirits that pair well with fish, pasta, and other non-carnivore culinary delights.

4. Circle U-P

Food and beverages Certified Kosher for Passover are in their own category and receive a separate label with a circle U-P. During this eight-day Jewish holiday, additional dietary restrictions include avoiding consuming wheat or grain products. However, libations such as potato vodka are completely acceptable and perfect for making l’chaims—as long as they have the proper kosher certification.

As always, PR%F is finding ways to raise the bar to highlight your spirits, wine, and beverage brands, and your overall business model. Adding a one-of-a-kind kosher award is sure to enhance any label’s reputation and overall appeal. Dozens of different symbols indicate a food or beverage is kosher, but none will be as noteworthy as an official PR%F stamp of approval.

Código, a tequila by George Strait, was among the first to win this kosher PR%F Award. From Somrus Chai Liqueur Cream to Grey Goose Vodka to Woodford Reserve Bourbon, there are countless Kosher-certified spirits—and any one of them could be the next to earn the honorable kosher PR%F Award.

Enter your brand today in its usual category. Let us know that you are certified Kosher, and send your letter of certification to proofawardsvegas@gmail.com. We look forward to honoring your brand with this medal of distinction. Cheers & L’ Chaim.

Stephanie Blitz was born and raised in Milwaukee and currently resides in Las Vegas with her husband and two children. She is a proud #boymom and the founder of Architect Of Words. Stephanie is a freelance writer and marketing maven who believes in the power of coffee, values experiences over things and recognizes the ability words have to connect people.