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Finlandia is one of the best-selling premium vodkas in the world and is strongly associated with its country of origin. Produced by the Altia plant, located in the village of Koskenkorva in southern Finland. Products are exported to 130 countries. The annual sales volume exceeds 3 million cases, the main growth is observed in the countries of Central Europe. In 2004, after a series of interim transactions, 100% of the shares and all rights to the brand were transferred to the American corporation Brown-Forman, the largest producer of alcoholic beverages and distributor of elite brands of alcohol, including Jack Daniel’s, Korbel, el Jimador, Fetzer, Tequila Herradura . Managed by a subsidiary of Finlandia Vodka Worldwide Ltd.
Historical reference. The roots of Finlandia vodka can be traced back to 1888, when a group of Finnish engineers led by Wilhelm Yuslin built a plant in Rayamäki to produce yeast and later alcohol. The location was chosen because of its proximity to the railway, which increased the efficiency of transporting raw materials and finished products. After the adoption of the Dry Law in 1919, the state acquired the ownership of the plant, re-profiling production for the production of medical and ethanol alcohol.
In 1932, Prohibition was abolished, but the state monopoly on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages remained in Finland until 1968. During this period, the plant was reconstructed by the management company Oy Alkoholiliike Ab. In 1969, the company was renamed Alko Ltd, and a year later brought vodka to the market under the brand name Finlandia. In 1971, the export of “Finland” to the United States began – it became the first foreign vodka certified in this country. After 20 years, the brand has gained recognition all over the world and has become one of the best-selling premium vodkas.
The high quality of Finlandia vodka is due to the use of the best natural ingredients – pure glacial water and six-sided barley. The peculiarity that the manufacturer emphasizes is that the barley ripens under the rays of the midnight sun, which does not set in the summer for almost two and a half months.
A special filtration technology also plays an important role: at the Koskenkorve plant, the alcohol is processed in seven columns 25 meters high. The distillation process, which has 200 stages of processing, goes on for more than 50 hours.
In the product line, in addition to traditional vodka, there are flavored versions: with the taste of lime, grapefruit, mango, blackcurrant, raspberry, northern berries, tangerine, coconut. A special place is occupied by cranberry tincture, which differs from cranberry-flavored vodka by its bright red color.
Awards
The Vodka Masters, London:
- 2009 – The highest award Masters (Finlandia Tangerine), 2 gold (Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia Lime) and silver (Finlandia Mango) medals.
International Wine & Spirit Competition, Лондон:
- 2014 – 6 silver (Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia Tangerine, Finlandia Raspberry, Finlandia Mango, Finlandia Grapefruit, Finlandia Coconut) medals;
- 2015 – 3 silver (Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia Blackcurrant, Finlandia Nordic Berries) medals.
World Spirits Competition, San Francisco:
- 2007 – Double gold (Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion Vodka) medal;
- 2010 – Double gold (Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion Vodka), 3 silver (Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia Tangerine, Finlandia Cranberry), 2 bronze (Finlandia Lime, Finlandia Wild Berries) medals;
- 2011 – Double gold (Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion Vodka), silver (Finlandia Vodka), bronze (Finlandia Tangerine) medals;
- 2012 – Silver (Finlandia Vodka) and 2 bronze (Finlandia Grapefruit, Finlandia Raspberry) medals;
- 2013 – 2 silver (Finlandia Classic Vodka, Finlandia Mango) and bronze (Finlandia Grapefruit, Finlandia Raspberry) medals;
- 2014 – 3 gold (Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia Grapefruit, Finlandia Coconut), 2 silver (Finlandia Raspberry, Finlandia Tangerine) medals;
- 2016 – Gold (Finlandia Classic Vodka) medal.
International Spirits Challenge, Лондон:
- 2016 – Silver (Finlandia Vodka) medal.
SIP Awards, California:
- 2013 – Platinum (Finlandia Tangerine), 3 gold (Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia Raspberry, Finlandia Grapefruit), 2 bronze (Finlandia Mango, Finlandia Redberry) medals;
- 2015 – 2 gold (Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia Black Currant), 2 silver (Finlandia Nordio Berry, Finlandia Coconut) medals.
Types of vodka Finland
Finlandia Classic Vodka, 40%
As a raw material for vodka, six-sided barley is used, which slowly ripens under the rays of the sun, which does not set beyond the horizon for 72 days. The distillate is blended with the purest glacial water. The drink has a clean taste, with assimilated alcohol tones and light malt notes. Ideal with smoked salmon, herring dishes, caviar.
Finlandia Grapefruit, 37,5%
Grapefruit flavored vodka is one of the brand’s most popular products. Differs in a pronounced shade of pulp and citrus peel. There is a pleasant astringency in the warm aftertaste. The drink was awarded a double gold medal three times at the prestigious San Francisco spirits competition, highly acclaimed by the American spirits guru, Spirit Journal publisher Paul Pacult. It is well drunk neat or accompanied by fresh juice, suitable for use in various cocktails.
Finland Cranberry Fusion, 40%
Vodka with a genuine national flavor: cranberries, as one of the few berries growing in close proximity to the Arctic zone, are widely used in Finnish dishes and drinks. Essence from natural berries is used to make vodka. It has a classic degree and a bright refreshing taste. It works best in cocktails with simple recipes. Fresh fruits or juices are the perfect accompaniment to it.
Finland Platinum, 40%
The limited-edition vodka is produced by hand under the supervision of Master Tasting Master Markku Raittinen, additionally filtered through a layer of birch chips and cured in arctic cold. All bottles are numbered, the batch series is indicated on the collar. The structure of the aroma is determined by bread and mineral tones, complemented by a hint of smoked cereals. The aftertaste shows a subtle sweetness with spicy notes. The drink is good both on its own and as a base for classic Long Island Iced Tea or Caipiroska cocktails.
