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Talka is a young mid-price vodka brand owned by Roust Group of Companies (Russian Standard). The company occupies the second position in the list of the largest vodka producers in the world and the first in Central and Eastern Europe. “Talka” produces the Siberian distillery, located in the Novosibirsk region. The trademark was launched in 2011 and became an example of the most successful start in the market: in 2016, sales exceeded 1 million cases, which allowed Talka to enter the global TOP-7. Annual sales of the company’s consolidated portfolio exceed 30 million cases.
Historical reference. Vodka brand “Talka” is very young – it was launched on the market in 2011, and the launch of the Siberian Distillery took place three years earlier. More than 1,1 billion rubles were invested in the construction of the enterprise, built “from scratch” in the industrial zone of the science city of Koltsovo. The plant is equipped with the fastest bottling line in the world, 24 bottles come off the line per hour. The pride of the enterprise is also the installation of continuous operation “Ruchey”, which ensures the continuity of the process of mixing alcohol with water and subsequent silver filtration.
The production facilities equipped with modern equipment are designed to produce up to 17 million decalitres of vodka per year. A further increase in volumes is also envisaged, for which it will only be necessary to install additional bottling lines, the rest of the industrial infrastructure is already in place. SLVZ was twice awarded the title of the best plant, which is part of the Rust Group: in 2015, the team most effectively carried out measures to reduce the cost of the final product, the following year achieved the most significant success in introducing the quality index.
Three years after the launch of Talka, sales volume approached 1 million cases, which allowed the brand to enter the TOP-9 list among world brands and Top-30 in Russia. In the ranking of the strongest alcohol brands in the world, Talka ranks 10th.
Awards
The Travel Retail Masters:
- 2012 – Gold (“Talka Classic”) medal.
Prodexpo:
- 2015 – Bronze (“Talka Siberian Cedar”) medal.
Exhibition “Golden Autumn”, Moscow:
- 2014 – Silver (“Talka Lux”) medal.
Interesting Facts
In its advertising campaigns, the brand invariably associates itself with Siberia, the North, and cold weather, which is why it prefers to sponsor events related to winter sports. Talka provides support to hockey matches within the framework of the Eurochallenge, the European Figure Skating Championship.
The brand is not a stranger to cultural events and took part in organizing the awarding of the winners of the Miss Russia beauty contest. Guests of the ceremony could appreciate the cocktails created on the basis of the vodka brands of the Roust group of companies.
On New Year’s Eve, the Talki limited edition is traditionally released in a gift box, which includes pleasant bonuses for customers. This year, warm suede mittens trimmed with fur were offered along with a bottle of vodka. The inscription on the package informed which pair was included in the set – male or female. The action was addressed to the residents of St. Petersburg and was held as part of the federal BTL campaign.
Since 2017, Talka has been represented in the duty-free channel, it can be purchased at international air harbors and duty-free shops on the borders of Russia and neighboring countries.
In 2014, Talka, along with a number of other brands of Russian manufacturers, briefly became persona non grata in Kazakhstan. Local authorities have banned the sale of products that, according to them, “does not meet food safety requirements.” However, just a few days later, this decision was revised, and brands from the Russian Federation again took their place on the shelves of Kazakhstani supermarkets.
How to distinguish a fake Talka
The unprecedentedly successful launch of the brand has led to the emergence of a large number of fakes on the market. The manufacturer has taken measures to strengthen the protection of products from counterfeiting, including the redesign of the label and bottle. Features of packaging design that allow you to verify the authenticity of the product:
- square bottle with rounded corners;
- there are relief elements on the glass – a “necklace”, the inscription “Talka” above the label, the SLVZ logo on the back of the bottle;
- on the screw cap with a dispenser – a holographic image of the Yamal deer and the inscription “Produced in Siberia”;
- cap with opening control.
Types of vodka Talka
Talka Classic, 40%
The brand’s flagship vodka, presented on the market since 2011. At the end of 2016, it entered the Russian TOP-10 in terms of sales. It owes its name to the alcoholized infusion of wheat on melted water, which is part of it. In the production, a continuous operation “Ruchey” installation and silver filtration technology are used, which provide a high degree of product purification. It has a fresh aroma with honey notes and warm bread flavor. The taste is classic vodka, perfectly softened and slightly sweet. As a gastronomic accompaniment, you can choose marinades and pickles, salmon, grilled meat.
Talka Special, 40%
Vodka created according to a special recipe, which includes an infusion of Siberian herbs with many useful properties: thyme, willow-herb, tansy. The most important raw material component of the product is crystal clear water obtained from the plant’s own artesian wells. The most effective method of purifying alcohol from fusel oils and esters is used in the production – a silver filtration installation. It is characterized by a multifaceted bouquet with hints of spices and meadow herbs. The taste is light, lively, with a slight vodka pungency. It will go well with lean meat, boiled pork, fish soup, sauerkraut.
“Talka Siberian cedar”, 40%
A premium product introduced to the market in 2014 and currently one of the ten best-selling vodkas in Russia. Melt water of Siberian snows, passing through natural limestone filters and additionally purified with silver, is responsible for the softness of the taste. The alcoholized infusion of pine nuts included in the recipe endows the bouquet with a rich aroma of coniferous forest. The oily taste has a characteristic nutty astringency, tinged with the sweetness of taiga honey and the freshness of young pine buds. An excellent gastronomic pair of drinks will be traditional dishes of the Russian North: low-salted omul, Baikal fish soup, wild garlic and fern salad.
Talka Lux, 40%
The release of the product started in 2011, after 5 years, Talka Lux took the 6th line in the list of the ten best-selling premium segment vodkas in Russia. The recipe of the drink is original and has a bright local flavor: the composition of the ingredients includes an alcoholized infusion of blueberries – a northern berry rich in useful bioactive substances. It has a soft and even aroma, without alcohol aggression. On the palate, a deep vodka tone with resinous notes develops into tart berry sourness and light spice. A worthy snack for vodka will be white fish, pancakes with salmon, venison with lingonberry sauce.
