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One of the most famous Russian vodkas is produced at the Mariinsky Distillery, which dates back to 1900. The popular super-premium brand is the flagship product of the BELUGA GROUP, known as Synergy until 2017.
The enterprise owns 6 largest distilleries in Russia, among the partners are the luminaries of the world alcohol market (“Camus”, “William Grant & Sons”, “Gerard Bertrand”, “Familia Torres”, “Bacardi”).
Elite vodka “Beluga” is sold in more than 70 countries and two hundred airports around the world.
Beluga is an ultra-premium product, included in the TOP-5 of the best vodkas in the world. A unique author’s strong drink is made on the basis of pure artesian water and special barley malt. Three-stage purification, silver filtration and aging of alcohols make it possible to create a luxury vodka that is significantly superior in price to products from other manufacturers in the industry. The rather high cost does not reduce the global demand for Beluga vodka : according to the results of 2018-2019, the growth rate of the export market of the super-premium brand was 20% per year, according to an analytical report by Hypothesis Research Ltd.
History of Beluga vodka
The Mariinsky distillery, located in the Kemerovo region, has been supplying fans of strong spirits with high-quality drinks for more than 100 years. The oldest alcohol company in the region was opened at the site of discovery of artesian sources at the very beginning of the XNUMXth century.
At first, only vodka and table wine were produced here, in subsequent years the assortment was replenished with liqueurs and tinctures, one of which, Doctor August, became the hallmark of the plant.
The most active for the enterprise were the 70-80s. During this period, the technical base was updated, production volumes increased significantly. During the years of perestroika, in addition to the production of alcohol, the plant mastered the production of marmalade, syrups, carbonated drinks.
The experience accumulated over a whole century was carefully collected and embodied in the recipe for the main product of the Mariinsky Distillery – Beluga vodka, which began to be produced in 2003.
A few years later, the company became part of the Synergy holding, which made the elite drink a priority in its product portfolio.
The hallmark of premium vodka is a pewter “medallion” in the shape of a rare Siberian fish, included in the Red Book and giving the brand its name.
Manufacturing specifics
The exceptional quality of the famous Russian vodka is provided by 3 factors:
- Completely natural composition. Excellent malt alcohol and the purest water from artesian springs, mined at a depth of 300 meters, are taken as the basis for the manufacture of the drink. Also included in the composition of different types of drink: plant extracts, honey, oatmeal, maple / sugar syrup, other ingredients.
- Sophisticated filtration technology that includes quartz treatment and silver purification.
- Mandatory observance of the stage of additional exposure, which is at least 30 days. Additional rest provides the drink with a soft bouquet without harsh alcohol notes.
No less thoughtful is the packaging design, which is the epitome of sophisticated style. For the manufacture of frosted bottles with a thick bottom, optical glass is used, many operations for the design of vessels are performed manually.
Features of “Beluga” vodka
Premium strong drink is produced in the Kemerovo region at the Mariinsky distillery. The plant was built at the very beginning of the 20th century, and today it produces almost all the alcoholic products of Siberia. The enterprise is located in an ecologically clean place, remote from large production facilities.
Near the plant there are underground springs with the purest artesian water. The depth of the wells is 300 meters. For the production of Beluga vodka, water from various sources is blended, filtered and purified using quartz and silver. Thanks to this technology, it is possible to obtain crystal clear water, ideal for making premium vodka.
To obtain a mild aromatic alcohol, a special malt alcohol is used, which is obtained from germinated barley. At the Mariinsky distillery, spirits are allowed to “rest” for several months before bottling. Bottling “Beluga” is carried out in bottles that came out from under the hands of French masters. For their manufacture, special high-quality glass is used, which can only be found in optical instruments.
The brand is owned by the Russian GC Synergy, which recently changed its name to Beluga Group. To date, more than 1.7 million decaliters of alcohol are produced annually, including vodka and excellent bitters of the Beluga brand. The brand’s products are sold in 100 countries and 264 airports. The strong drink is especially popular in Italy and Germany.
The group of companies is the largest alcohol producer on the Russian market. He owns such well-known brands as “Myagkov” and “Gold Reserve”. The company also acts as the official distributor of world brands Camus and William Grant & Sons.
Varieties overview
Beluga is a valuable freshwater fish listed in the Red Book of Russia. Vodka, named after a rare member of the sturgeon family, meets high standards and therefore is not cheap. The price of alcohol is due to the high cost of raw materials and production processes. It should be noted that the quality is fully consistent with the cost.
The trademark “Beluga” is represented by a rich collection of vodkas, each of which is the embodiment of a clearly verified recipe and the strictest quality control.
Beluga noble
The flagship in the brand line, the author’s drink, recognized as a “classic” among elite vodkas
In addition to the main ingredients (malt alcohol and artesian water), it includes natural honey, milk thistle extract, vanillin and oatmeal
Available in different volumes: from 0,5 to 3 liters.
Beluga Celebration
An exclusive series released for the anniversary of the Mariinsky Distillery
Supplied in an original metallized 0,75 liter bottle covered with gold lacquer and decorated with silkscreen printing.
The composition includes honey and dried apricots.
Beluga Gold Line
Winner of numerous awards. A limited edition of elite vodka for true connoisseurs, featuring an exquisite harmonious taste and unusual design.
Each 0,7 liter bottle is supplied with an individual serial number, a hammer and a brush for opening sealing wax corks
Supplied in different types of gift packaging. The composition includes rice infusion, Rhodiola rosea extract, lactose.
Beluga Epicure by Lalique
The result of fruitful cooperation between Russian vodka producers and French jewelers
Each crystal decanter is handmade in the Lalique workshop in Alsace, individually numbered and filled with precious liquid at the Mariinsky Factory.
Beluga allure
A special collection series dedicated to the victories of the Beluga Polo Team at international equestrian polo competitions
The composition of the exquisite drink, in addition to selected grain alcohol and spring water, includes maple syrup and fig tincture
The waiting period is 2 months. The design of the bottle is designed in luxurious brown and gold tones. Supplied in bottles of 0,5 and 0,7 liters.
Beluga Transatlantic Racing
Collection line dedicated to the victories of the Synergy team in the world championships in yachting
Features a nautical blue and white design and gold-colored fish. The composition includes molasses and strawberry extract, for additional purification a special cotton filter is used, providing lightness and elegance of taste.
The “rest” period has been increased to 45 days. Supplied in bottles of 0,5 and 0,7 liters.
- Noble Night is a limited edition of the flagship drink of the collection, created specifically for night parties. The bottle is equipped with a special LED sticker that illuminates it from the inside in the dark. If the bottle is viewed in slightly dimmed light, it will remain black, while the engraving on it will turn white.
- Transatlantic Racing Navy Blue is a special series of spirits made using a special technology. The malt is processed in the traditional way, after which it is dried with hot air, which stops fermentation. Malt insist on alcohol to achieve a special softness of taste.
- Allure is the epitome of nobility inherent in horse polo, in which the manufacturer’s own team has been very successful. The subtle aristocratic taste of the drink is due to the addition of maple syrup and fig infusion. Alcohol is subjected to a two-month exposure.
- Gold Line is a limited edition of spirits, where each bottle has its own serial number. The luxurious taste of vodka is softened by infusion of iris, lactose and Rhodiola rosea extract. The final exposure of alcohol is 3 months. All bottles of vodka are corked with a Camus stopper filled with sealing wax. The bottle comes with a hammer to remove the sealing wax.
- Epicure by Lalique is a tandem of premium Russian vodka and the French house “Lalique”, famous for the production of jewelry and crystal. For alcohol, a special decanter was made, decorated with female figures surrounded by wheat ears. Vessels are made by hand from red-hot crystal, poured into a special mold. They are then polished, creating a contrast between clear and satin glass.
The Beluga line includes two strong bitters based on Siberian herbs, nuts and spices: Hunting Berry and Hunting Herbal. Each bottle of vodka is adorned with an integral element — a small figurine of a beluga fish, hand-attached by the plant’s craftsmen. This detail makes the brand recognizable and unique in its own way. The manufacturer produces gift versions of vodka in leather, metal boxes, carved tubes and swings. Complete with alcohol, stacks, glasses and even ceramic mugs for bitters are sold.
Interesting Facts
- In 2012, Beluga Noble vodka was chosen as the official drink of the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm.
- In addition to vodka, 2 types of bitters are produced under the Beluga brand: herbal and berry.
- The manufacturer recommends eating noble vodka with caviar: the corresponding inscription is even placed on the label.Apparently, black beluga caviar is meant, the cost of which starts from 2 thousand rubles for a 50-gram jar.
True gourmets can experiment with the Almas delicacy – light-colored albino beluga caviar, the price of which is at least 2,5 thousand dollars per 100 g.
True, it is not so easy to acquire it: the queue is scheduled for several years ahead.
Boring but useful facts about Vodka Beluga:
- Beluga is produced at the Mariinsky Distillery
- Owned by Synergy Holding
- Produced in an ecologically clean place of the Kemerovo region
- Exported to many European countries
Aroma and taste
The aroma of vodka is unobtrusive, alcohol, but almost absent. This is due to the use of high-quality raw materials and careful filtration. The taste is soft, with a characteristic aftertaste. Additional shades may be present depending on additives.
How to distinguish original Beluga vodka from a fake
It is not difficult to distinguish an original from a fake, since the first has a special design. The production of bottles and additional decor for Beluga vodka is expensive, so imitation manufacturers cannot completely disguise their fake.
When buying, first of all, you need to pay attention to the cork. In the original, it is embossed, a beluga is engraved on it. The label is metallized, not paper. In the case of the Gold Line, a silver fish is attached to it. Serial numbers are indicated on the bottles of the elite series.
Vodka is sold without a box in a cardboard box, sometimes in sets with stacks. The only exception is Gold Line. It comes in a leather case complete with a hammer and a brush to remove sealing wax from the cork.
In the case of each series, there are distinctive elements that help to recognize the original. For example, in the design of Allure there are leather inserts. The design is dominated by brown tones. Transatlantic Racing’s packaging depicts a sailboat.
Why Beluga vodka is expensive
The high price of vodka is primarily associated with its cost. The manufacturer invests a lot of money in the purchase of raw materials, the manufacture of containers, design, transportation, etc. The second factor is the brand. Part of the cost is due to markup. In this case, the buyer pays for the quality assurance.
List of awards
During the production period, Beluga brand vodka has received more than 10 awards. The first award was given to the brand back in 2003 for design. In 2005, the drink received 3 more gold medals and 1 silver.
In 2006, the product won prizes at competitions and exhibitions “Golden Autumn”, Vinnaya Karta Open, East West Drink.
In 2007, vodka received gold medals at Prodexpo and the Entrepreneurship EXPO-Siberia fair. The product was awarded the Mixology Award at the International Trade Fair in Kreuzberg 2015.
Shelf life and storage conditions
The shelf life of pure alcohol is unlimited, but the manufacturer introduces additives into the composition, which reduces the storage time to 6-12 months. The latter is due to the gradual oxidation of the ingredients.
The drink should be stored in the production container. Do not place it in plastic containers. The minimum allowable temperature for storage is -15°C, and the maximum reaches +30°C, however, technologists recommend keeping the range +5…+20°C.