Finnish vodka is well known to lovers of strong drinks and is popular both in Europe and in the post-Soviet space. The first place in popularity is occupied by Finlandia, but the second is Koskenkorva Vodka Original (Koskenkorva Vodka Original), a product of the Altia Group, whose main enterprise is located in the small Finnish town of Koskenkorva.
Interesting Facts
- In the manufacture of the drink, only environmentally friendly raw materials are used, and the water formed from the melting of glaciers is pumped from underground sources – 6 pumping stations have been installed for this.
- The exact number of barley grains required to make 1 liter of vodka is known – 18 thousand.
- The plant has its own areas for growing wheat and barley, but even a plentiful harvest is not enough, so 85% of the grain is purchased from Finnish farmers with a good reputation.
The distillation process at the enterprise consists of 250 stages. Alcohols are diluted with water only after reaching a strength of 95% and absolute transparency.
- The Koskenkorva plant has its own bioenergy power plant: energy is obtained by burning barley husks as fuel, thanks to which carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere have been reduced by a factor of three.
- At the plant, in addition to alcohol, starch and animal feed are produced from grain residues after processing. Even the carbon dioxide generated in the process is used in greenhouses, where fresh vegetables are grown all year round for factory workers.
- Altia Group’s most significant customers are North American spirits dealers, supermarket chains around the world and domestic (Finnish) companies.
- Vodka “Koskenkorva” is exported to 30 countries – Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East.
- Koskenkorva is the No. 1 vodka in North America, and the winner of two gold awards at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2004 and 2015.
About the manufacturer
In 1888, a small group of Finnish vinegar and baker’s yeast production engineers consolidated to form Altia in Rayamäki. In order to expand the range, the company began to produce spirits, but in 1919, when Finland gained independence, the plant became state-owned and produced only yeast and vinegar until 1932. Then, based on it, they created the company Oy Alkoholiliike Ab, which produces alcohol. From 1969 to 1995, the company was a monopoly producer of Finnish alcohol. Everything that stood on the shelves of Finnish stores belonged to Oy Alko AB.
But then Finland joined the EEA – the European Economic Area, and abandoned monopolization, opening domestic markets for trade with European countries. The Alko Ltd concern was divided into three independent companies, the largest and fastest growing of which was Altia Group.
The head office is located in the capital of Finland, Helsinki, in addition to the plant in Koskenkorva, the company owns a distillery in the Swedish city of Saudsvall, as well as two bottling plants – in the Finnish city of Rayamäki and the Estonian city of Tabasalu. But that’s not all: Altia Group owns its own production facilities and cellars in the legendary French Cognac.
Today Altia Group has 7 brands, except for Koskenkorva — Blossa, Chill Out, Valhalla, Renault, Larsen, OP Anderson and Xanté.
Особенности Koskenkorva Vodka Original
This is a transparent drink with a traditional 40% alcohol and a subtle aroma of barley grain. The taste is soft, slightly sweet, the aftertaste is intoxicating, with a hint of licorice – licorice root.
Pickles, pickled or salted mushrooms and grilled vegetables are recommended as snacks for vodka. Koskenkorva goes well with all dishes of traditional Russian cuisine and with most European dishes: vodka is served with caviar, saltwort, fish soup, game, baked poultry.
