STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Katherine Cullen believes in partying with a conscience.

That’s how she came up with Party Animal Vodka, a handcrafted spirit utilizing Idaho russet potatoes.

“We created it to disrupt, give back and change the way people think about drinking,” said Cullen. “We created the brand name as a double entendre to not only relate to consumers in a fun unique way but to also use our brand to have a greater purpose.”

Indeed, the farm-to-bottle vodka distilled at an eco-friendly distillery in Rigby, Idaho, supports furry and non-furry friends domestically and internationally with a percentage of net profits from every bottle sold going to animal and wildlife foundations.

“I’m a big animal lover—I grew up with dogs and riding horses. And moving up here you get to see so much wildlife,” she said.

Cullen got the idea for a brand of vodka with a story behind it—one that stood for a just cause—while daydreaming during a college lecture at Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Her qualifications were that it be a quality vodka involving philanthropy while supporting a party lifestyle.

She shelved the dream, however, while pursuing a Masters degree in taxation. She was on her way to becoming a tax accountant when she decided to take a year off and ditch California for the ski bum lifestyle of Sun Valley.

Katherine hadn’t even picked up new license plates bearing the logo “Famous Potatoes” before she fell in love with potato vodka.

This past year she and her partner Josh Hanson recruited some investors and found the distillery in Rigby. And Party Animal Vodka materialized into a real spirit behind a label that showed the eyes of a tiger. It was approved for distribution in April.

“We got a little push back in California because there are so many vodkas out there. But everyone in Idaho has been so supportive, and everyone who has tried it loves it,” she said.

The vodka is sold locally at Whiskey Jacques, The Cellar Pub, Sawtooth Club, The Casino, Warfield Distillery & Brewery, The Hangout at Hotel Ketchum, Zou 75 and the Pioneer Saloon. It’s also available at the Idaho State Liquor store in Ketchum, Hailey, Twin Falls, Jerome, Rupert, Pocatello, Boise and several other Idaho cities.

It’s available in Los Angeles, San Diego and several other California cities.

Part of the proceeds from local sales are going to the Idaho Conservation League, which Cullen says protects land for wildlife. Some also goes to a local charity that helps collect food and donate it to underfunded shelters in Idaho.

Part of the proceeds from sales in California go to World Wildlife Fund, as well as an organization dealing with protection for sea life.

“It’s a little sweet because of the potatoes it’s made of and very smooth,” said Cullen. “People say it rings a bit of cucumbers but there’s nothing in it but potatoes.”