Koskenkorva vodka: what you need to know, history, overview of types + how to distinguish a fake

Koskenkorva - premium vodka comes from Finland. It is produced by Altia Group. Ranks second in terms of consumption in the European market.

What you need to know about Koskenkorva vodka

1. Features of production

   The main ingredients are crystal clear water, which is pumped from 6 pumping stations, and high-quality farm grain. Vodka distillation includes 250 stages.

2. Impact on nature

   Husks from the grains are burned at our own bioenergy plant. This is where the energy comes from. It helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by three times.

3. The benefits of production

   The company's products are not limited to alcohol. Residual crops are used for livestock feed and starch. Carbon dioxide, which was mentioned above, has found application in greenhouse conditions. They grow vegetables for the employees.

4. Design of vodka

   The label depicts the endless fields and barns that still dominate the village of Koskenkorva.

5. Awards

   The drink won gold at the international competition in Los Angeles and several silver awards in 2017 and 2018 at The Vodka competition’s Master in the nominations "Scandinavian vodka", "Premium vodka" and "Premium".

6. How and with what to drink Koskenkorva vodka

   Serve chilled to 10 degrees in old fashioned glasses or use as an ingredient in cocktails. Try it, for example, with tonic instead of gin. Can be diluted with Coca-Cola. Koskenkorva Lemon Lime Yarrow is suitable as a shot.

The history of Koskenkorva vodka

1941: The Finnish alcohol monopoly Oy Alkoholiliike Ab bought the land from the Koskankorva family, Jaakko and Elisabeth Koskankorva. The Koskenkorva distillery was built on this land, where the first experimental distillation took place in the spring.

1941: The village of Koskenkorva flourished. The Finnish economy was recovering from a difficult war era. A brand new distillery was built in the settlement, and the first experimental distillation took place in the spring.

1953: Koskenkorva's first product, Koskenkorva Viina, was launched. It can be used in mixed drinks or as chilled schnapps. It became the most popular alcohol in Finland in 1960. Even today it is the best-selling alcohol brand in Finland.

Initially, Koskenkorva was distilled from potatoes, but soon it was replaced by barley, which grew well in coastal fertile fields. During the short summer months, barley was stored in granaries to ensure that it would last through the long and harsh winter.

In Koskenkorva, the craft of barley cultivation has been passed down from generation to generation. All those who grow the crop today are proud to carry their special knowledge of specific barley varieties, such as Kaarle and Elmeri, which are used to make quality vodka.

1990: The people of Koskenkorva discovered that their own vodka had become not only a national favorite, but could also be of interest around the world. New variations in size and flavor have emerged.

A new product was introduced to the market - Koskenkorva Salmiakki. It was a mixture of Koskenkorva and salted liquorice, a very popular type of candy among Finns. Soon the new product was banned. The reason: it sold too well.

Koskenkorva's fame continued to grow. In the village of Koskenkorva, life went on as before. Barley grew in large fields, the river still flowed past the distillery and neighboring farmhouses. The Ostrobothnia region of Finland is known for its no-nonsense culture. The village was and still is inhabited by hardworking, simple-minded and honest people. And this nature is repeated in the product.

Today: Koskenkorva vodka is available in many countries, and you can even find it in the US and on the shelves of Marks stores & Spencer in London. It is exported to 30 countries.

Types of Konskenkorva vodka

1. Original, 40%

   Classic vodka made from the best natural ingredients. Local barley, pure spring water and a continuous distillation process create one of the softest and purest vodkas in the world. Made in the village of Koskenkorva.

2. Blueberry Juniper, 37.5%

   Combines the flavors of unique Scandinavian forests. Blueberry scent in harmony with juniper. Together they reveal the very essence of the northern forests.

3. Lemon Lime Yarrow, 37.5%

   Natural flavors of lemon and lime are combined with yarrow extract from Hämeenkäre, Finland. Yarrow is a flowering plant that gives this vodka light herbal notes and renews the fresh citrus flavor.

4. Rasberry Pine, 37.5% alcohol content

   The taste is a well-balanced combination of sweet ripe raspberries and spicy pine buds. Wild raspberries grow in Scandinavian forests, often pine forests. They became the source of inspiration for this flavor.

5. Sauna Barrel, 37.5%

   The idea to create this type was inspired by the heat of an old sauna in the village of the producer. The vodka was aged in oak barrels, where it acquired a subtle bourbon flavor with resinous and smoky hints.

6. Foraged, 40%

   A limited premium version of the barley-based drink. Aged in barrels. Infused with the best selected local plants to give the impression that the vodka is straight from the Finnish forest.

7. Ginger, 21% alcohol content

   New to the Koskenkorva range, a combination of real ginger and original vodka. Fresh and slightly sweet ginger flavor. It has less sugar than standard liqueur.

How to distinguish original Koskenkorva vodka from a fake

1. The cork has the shape of a cap, made of wood.

2. The container is oblong in shape, with a small neck and a sunken bottom.

3. The label shows a field in pastel shades, the name of the brand, the date 1953, and the country from which the product is supplied.

4. The price is high, you can't find it cheaper than a thousand rubles per bottle.

Update: 14.04.2020

Category: Vodka an Moonshine