Created in 1995, the drink shared the fame of the world famous weapons brand. AK (Kalashnikov assault rifle or “Kalash”, as experienced military men call it), according to statistics, the most common small arms in the world, adopted by the Soviet troops in 1949. The stylized bottle imitates a cartridge. A souvenir version is also produced: a bottle in the form of an assault rifle is packed in a wooden box stylized as an army box and equipped with special metal fittings.First of all, thanks to the design, vodka is popular abroad and is presented as a Russian souvenir.
Historical reference. JSC “Glazovsky Distillery” is located in Udmurtia and produces 1,5 million decaliters of alcohol per year. The product range consists of nine vodka brands – Udmurtskaya, Glacier, White Parus and others, the most famous of which is Kalashnikov.
The drink began to be produced after the reconstruction and change of the management of the plant in 1995, initially it was inexpensive and belonged to the mass market segment, since it was designed for the capabilities and tastes of the mass consumer. A well-chosen name and stylish design made the drink popular already in 1996. And when in 1997 the first souvenir series was released, in which the bottle repeated the shape of an assault rifle, and not a cartridge, the brand’s fame overcame the borders of Russia.
The increased demand for products and the desire of the plant management to consolidate success at the international level led to the modernization of production, equipment renewal and reconstruction of the Balezinsky distillery, which supplies alcohol to Glazovsky. In 2003, additional treatment systems were installed on it that meet international standards. As a result, vodka is now a premium product.
Production features
Vodka is produced from luxury alcohol and water, which is subjected to multi-level filtration. As food additives, sugar syrup, anise and cedar essential oils, alcohol infusion of Ukrainian bread are used.
Vodka bottles are produced in France at the Saverglass factory; handmade souvenirs are typical.
Kalashnikov and Kalashnikov Premium are produced in bottles of 0,1, 0,25, 0,5, 0,7 and 1 liter, while Kalashnikov Unik is only 0,7 liters with mandatory packaging in the form of a tube.
The screw cap of the bottle has a branded silver cap in the form of a sleeve, on which the logo of the plant and the date of bottling are burned out with a laser.
Interesting Facts
Beverage packaging design costs account for 25% of total production costs.
Several types of vodka from JSC Glazovsky Distillery are recognized as kosher, including Kalashnikov.
Types of vodka “Kalashnikov”
“Kalashnikov” (40%). Perfectly transparent drink with a light aroma of anise and a mild taste. Warming aftertaste with a hint of vanilla. In 2015, vodka received a gold medal at the ProdExpo international exhibition in Moscow. Served with pickles, roast game, baked meat – it goes well with dishes of Russian and European cuisine.
Kalashnikov Premium (40%). A transparent drink made from rectified luxury alcohol with the addition of sugar syrup and anise essential oil as a flavoring agent. The taste is soft with a characteristic grain tint. The last award is a gold medal at the Moscow International Exhibition ProdExpo in 2017. Restaurateurs recommend serving hot dishes of Russian cuisine and spicy European snacks.
“Kalashnikov Unique” (40%). Vodka made from rectified luxury alcohol has a pleasant smell of anise, grain shades are felt in a mild taste. The symbol of international recognition is the gold medal of Golden Brands of Europe in 2015. It goes well with pickles, pickled mushrooms, meat dishes and game. Sometimes served with lemon.
