Contents
Finland is a premium vodka, everything speaks about it: its taste, smell and design of the bottle, it is thought out to the smallest detail.
Vzboltay figured out why this strong drink won the recognition of almost the whole world.
cocktails with vodka
Brand history
The trademark Finland was not created immediately. Long before its appearance in 1888, a certain Wilhelm Yuslin opened a distillery in the village of Koskenkorva, which produced the Koskenkorya vodka of the same name. It was represented by a fortress of 40, 50 and even 60 degrees.
For lovers of a softer drink, a flavored version was also produced, which did not exceed 20 degrees.
But the year 1920 came, a dry law was adopted in Finland, and subsequently the plant came under state control. Vodka was no longer produced, but the plant was engaged in the supply of alcohol to pharmacies and produced a standard for technical purposes. After 12 years in 1932, the law was repealed.
In 1970, thanks to Alko, the Finlandia brand first appeared, and a year later the drink began its expansion far beyond the borders of the country.
In 1975, a new distillery was built, and since 1987, the distillery in Koskenkorva has specialized in distillation.
Finlandia was one of the best-selling vodkas worldwide for 6 consecutive years from 1977 to 1983. And since 1990 it has become the most famous premium vodka.
The American company Brown-Forman bought a 2000% stake in Finlandia vodka in 45, bought another 35% a couple of years later, and in 2004 became a 100% owner of the Finlandia Vodka brand.
Production technology and secrets of success
A special variety of barley and water is used for preparation, and six-row northern barley is used for alcohol. The process itself from filling the grain to obtaining high-quality soft alcohol of 96,5 degrees takes about 50 hours. During this time, the raw barley has time to overtake more than 200 times, for this process, seven columns 25 meters high and an Altia distillation system are used.
Next, grain alcohol is diluted with glacier melt water, which is collected from sources with a 10-year history. No artificial technologies are used to purify water, it is purified naturally through natural filters – sand and moraines.
Types of vodka Finland
To date, the Finlandia line includes 12 varieties of vodka, the strength ranges from 37,5 to 50,5%.
Previously, a limited edition of Finlandia Platinum was produced, each bottle was numbered.
Finlandia Classic – classic 40% vodka
Finlandia Cranberry – cranberry vodka
Finlandia Lime – lime vodka
Finlandia Mango – mango vodka
Finlandia Redberry – red cranberry vodka
Finlandia Grapefruit – grapefruit vodka
Finlandia Blackcurrant – currant vodka
Finlandia Tangerine – tangerine vodka
Finlandia Raspberry – raspberry vodka
Finlandia 101 – 50,5% vodka
Finlandia Coconut – coconut vodka
Finlandia Nordic Berries – vodka with the taste of northern cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries.
How to distinguish fake Finlandia vodka from the original
Buying premium segment vodka, you want to enjoy every sip of it. But more and more often, fakes can be found on store shelves that will forever spoil the opinion of this amazing drink.
In order not to fall for counterfeit, when choosing Finlandia vodka, you need to pay attention to such points:
The bottle must be of a unique shape with engravings.
On the top of the lid there should be a circular inscription “Finlandia”.
Mandatory presence of a dispenser.
The label on the bottle should be slightly transparent, evenly glued and not have any streaks of glue, paint, etc.
The taste of vodka should be mild and without specific chemical impurities.
High-quality excise stamp – without washed out paint, streaks and torn edges.
Bottle and label design
The bottle of Finland is a true work of art. There is nothing superfluous in it, and every detail emphasizes its status and origin.
The classic Frozen Ice bottle was designed by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala. Its brilliance resembled an icicle, and the label depicted fighting deer against the backdrop of the sun hanging on the horizon. This design was used from 1970 to 2000.
In 1998, the American company Hansen Desing proposed to remove the paper label and replace it with a lacquer lettering.
In 2003 Finnish industrial designer Harri Koskinen designed the Crystal Ice bottle collection.
In 2011, Koskinen, with a strengthened design team, developed a new Melting Ice bottle, sculpted by an industrial designer from New York.
Cocktail recipes from Finlandia’s chief mixologist
If you want to go beyond the taste limits of Finlandia vodka, you should definitely try making cocktails according to the signature recipes of Finlandia Global Mixologist Pekka Pellinen. His mission is to constantly look for new ideas for cocktails that meet the high standards of the brand.
Cocktail Finlandia Caipiroska
Ingredients
Finland Redberry – 40 мл
Lime – 4 slices
Sugar – 2 teaspoons
crushed ice
Method of preparation
Place a lime in a rocks glass, add sugar and muddle a little.
Add crushed ice and stir.
Pour in vodka and top with some more crushed ice.
When serving, you can decorate with cranberries.
Helsinki Mule cocktail
Ingredients
Finland Lime – 40 мл
Ginger ale – 120 ml
Fresh cucumber – 1 slice
Crushed ice
Method of preparation
Fill the highball with ice cubes.
Add vodka and ginger ale and stir.
Garnish with a long slice of fresh cucumber when serving.
Cocktail Mad Dog
Ingredients
Finland Classic – 20 мл
Berry syrup – 15 ml
Tabasco – 3 drops
Balsamic vinegar – 1 drop
Method of preparation
Pour berry syrup into shot.
Then add Tabasco and balsamic vinegar.
Top with vodka.
Cocktail Cranberry Brisk
Ingredients
Finland Cranberry – 40 мл
Grapefruit juice – 60 ml
Lemonade – 60 ml
Ice
Method of preparation
Fill a highball with ice and add vodka.
Now add grapefruit juice and lemonade.
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge when serving.
Spicy Mule Cocktail
Ingredients
Finland 101 – 40 мл
Ginger beer – 120 ml
Lime juice – 5 ml
Fresh ginger
Fresh chili pepper
Ice
Method of preparation
In a highball glass, grind the ginger with a muddler.
Then add the chile slices, lime juice, ginger beer and ice.
Relevance: 20.11.2017
Tags: Vodka, mash, moonshine, Vodka brands