The shape of the original tinted glass damask bottle was borrowed from a museum exhibit – an old decanter made by masters of the once famous glass factory of Prince Potemkin (today it is the St. Petersburg Art Glass Factory). Each bottle is made by hand. The release of the drink is controlled by the laboratory of the Federal Security Service, since it is not only exported, but also supplied to the Kremlin and the State Duma of Russia.
About the manufacturer. The Kaliningrad Limited Liability Company “ITAR” was founded in 1995 by a well-known businessman and philanthropist Konstantin Suslov, a member of the government of the Kaliningrad region. The base enterprise is a distillery, which initially produced spirits of three classes: spirit of the highest purification, “extra” and “luxury”.
Then the enterprise began to produce vodka, now there are 10 brands in the assortment, including Kremlyovka and Legend of the Kremlin, well-known outside of Russia.
In 2012, Konstantin Suslov entered into a licensing agreement with a successful company in Romania, owned by Iranian Jabbar Kannani, to use the Stalinskaya logo. Prior to this event, the brand was known only to Romanian and Bulgarian lovers of strong drinks. The designers of the British bureau Claessens made a restyling of the brand and the inscription appeared on the label: Made In Russia.
In 2016, a scandal erupted due to non-payment of debts by the owner of the enterprise. The tax services opened a criminal case, arrested the plant’s products for 90 million rubles (this was the duty of the entrepreneur). But bankruptcy was avoided, the debts were paid, the enterprise continues to work.
The basis of the company’s business remains the bottling of export vodka under contracts concluded with manufacturing enterprises. ITAR concludes the largest contracts with the state represented by the Federal State Enterprise Soyuzplodoimport. Thanks to contracts at the plant in Kaliningrad, the export version of the famous Moskovskaya and Stolichnaya vodkas is bottled. According to the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 85% of ITAR products are exported.
Since 2009, ITAR has been part of the Vestalka Commercial and Industrial Group, owned by the same Konstantin Suslov and his brother Alexander.
Interesting fact
“Legend of the Kremlin” in 2014 was recognized as kosher by specialists of the kashrut department. Kashrut is what is permitted, usable according to the laws of Judaism. This was done after the expertise carried out by experts. Elite vodka is recognized as kosher (permitted) on all days of the year, except for Pesach.
Since 2015, the drink has been supplied to Israel, and the kosher mark has been added to the label, which serves as a kind of quality mark for those who consume only kosher products.
Characteristics of vodka “Legend of the Kremlin”
This is a high quality super premium product. Vodka of crystal purity and transparency is made from luxury alcohol and artesian water, purified and softened with silver filters. Subtle aroma with sweetish notes of lime blossom. Soft taste with hints of honey and linden flowers, unexpectedly fresh short aftertaste. Vodka is served chilled to 10 °C.
Restaurateurs and bartenders recommend it as an aperitif – with ice, pure – to dishes of Russian and European cuisines, to meat and fish snacks, meat cooked on an open fire, game, pancakes with caviar and other pickles.
This vodka is not used in cocktails because of its self-sufficiency – the drink is good on its own, and at a rather high price. Although it goes well with fruit juices and citrus fruits.
