Diddy Gets into Cîroc Vodka with ShulmanSays!

Shulman and Diddy

There's been a lot of news made of late about Sean "Diddy" Combs and his relationship with Croc, the super-premium vodka line by Diageo PLC. Croc uses "snap frost" grapes (Ugni Blanc grapes from France's Cognac region, blended into Mauzac Blanc grapes from France's Gaillac region). The extracted juices are then cold-fermented.

According to Wikipedia.org, Combs is an "American record producer, rapper, actor, men’s fashion designer, entrepreneur and dancer" - and that's without going into detail. His clothing line, Sean Jean, has won an award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, while Combs has won three Grammy Awards and a pair of MTV VMAs.

Recently, in Las Vegas to attend Top Rank's Pacquiao vs Cotto bout, ShulmanSays got a chance to sit-down with the mogul and discuss his music, his tastes, and his life...

ShulmanSays: You've said of the relationship between Ciroc and its drinkers that the vodka "tastes like their lifestyle" – What does Diddy's lifestyle taste like?

DIDDY: It's a mixture of aspiration and inspiration. It tastes right.

Three flavors of Croc

SS: How does this parlay into Ciroc?

DIDDY: We want to give the people a product that tastes right, so we took the time to make it right. And that's what separates Ciroc. It's made from fresh grapes, so it goes better with food, and it mixes well with everything, especially fruit juices. It means no hangover. It's quality.

SS: Do you see yourself as more of a Trend-setter or a Taste-maker?

DIDDY: I would say I've transitioned from the role of a trend-setter to that of a taste-maker. A trend-setter works with other people's ideas and approves them, whereas a taste-maker is involved in the actual creation of the situation.

SS: Which is more important, style or fashion?

DIDDY: Style. No question.

SS: How much of your music is autobiographical?

DIDDY: I would say, about 90%

SS: If you were allowed to freely sample the songbooks of any two of the following Divas, which would you choose: Dame Shirley Bassey, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Chaka Khan, Sade or Sarah Vaughn?

DIDDY: Ooo - that's tough, because they're all so incredible; but probably Sarah Vaughn and Sade.

Diddy and Croc

Diddy Dirty Money

ShulmanSays to get into Diddy's latest musical foray, Last Train to Paris, which he describes as an “electro-hip-hop-soul funk” album. The single, "Love Come Down" features his newest group - Diddy Dirty Money, where he sings alongside Dawn Richard (of Danity Kane) and Kalenna Harper, and is available at iTunes.

While you're at it, ShulmanSays highly recommends that you pick-up a bottle of one of the two new flavors of Croc, Red Berry (a blend of raspberry and strawberry), and Coconut (delicious and fun).

And remember ShulmanSays to always drink responsibly!