Vodka Finland: types, history, how to distinguish a fake + 5 cocktail recipes

1) The history of the brand
2) Production technology and secrets of success
3) Types of vodka Finland
4) How to distinguish a fake Finlandia vodka from the original
5) Bottle and label design
6) Cocktail recipes from the chief mixologist of Finlandia

Finland - This is a premium vodka, as evidenced by everything: its taste, smell and bottle design, it is thought out to the smallest detail.

Vzboltai figured out how this strong drink won the recognition of almost the whole world.

The history of the brand

The Finland trademark was not created immediately. Long before its appearance in 1888, a certain Wilhelm Juslin opened a distillery in the village of Koskenkorva, which produced the eponymous vodka Koskenkorya. It was presented with a strength of 40, 50 and even 60 degrees.

For lovers of a milder drink, a flavored version was also produced, which did not exceed 20 degrees.

But the year 1920 came, Prohibition was adopted in Finland, and subsequently the plant came under state control. Vodka was no longer produced, but the plant supplied alcohol to pharmacies and produced a standard for technical purposes. 12 years later, in 1932, the law was repealed.

In 1970, thanks to Alko, the Finlandia brand was first introduced, and a year later the drink began its expansion far beyond the borders of the country.

In 1975, a new distillery was built, and in 1987, the Koskencorva plant began to specialize in distillation.

Finlandia was one of the best-selling vodkas worldwide for 6 years in a row from 1977 to 1983. And since 1990, it has become the most famous premium vodka.

In 2000, the American company Brown-Forman bought 45% of Finlandia Vodka shares, a few years later bought another 35%, and in 2004 became 100% owner of the Finlandia Vodka brand.

Production technology and secrets of success

A special variety of barley and water is used for the preparation, and six-row northern barley is used for alcohol. The process itself, from pouring grain to obtaining high-quality soft alcohol of 96.5 degrees, takes about 50 hours. During this time, the barley raw material has been distilled more than 200 times, using seven 25-meter-high columns and the Altia distillation system.

Then the grain alcohol is diluted with glacial melt water, which is collected from sources with a 10,000-year history. No artificial technologies are used for water purification, it is purified naturally through natural filters - sand and moraines.

Types of vodka Finland

Today, Finlandia's lineup includes 12 varieties of vodka, with strengths ranging from 37.5 to 50.5%.

Previously, a limited edition Finlandia Platinum was produced, each bottle was numbered.

Finlandia Classic is a classic vodka with a strength of 40%
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 - vodka with a strength of 50.5%
Finlandia Coconut - coconut vodka
Finlandia Nordic Berries - vodka with the flavor of northern berries: cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries.

Types of vodka Finland

How to distinguish a fake Finlandia vodka from the original

When buying premium vodka, you want to enjoy every sip of it. But more and more often on store shelves you can find fakes that will forever spoil the opinion of this amazing drink.

In order not to fall for counterfeit vodka, when choosing Finlandia vodka, you should pay attention to the following points:

The bottle must be of a unique shape with engravings.
The top of the cap should have a circular inscription "Finlandia".
A dispenser is required.
The label on the bottle should be slightly transparent, evenly applied and free of any stains of glue, paint, etc.
The taste of vodka should be mild and without specific chemical impurities.
High-quality excise stamp - no blurred color, smudges or torn edges.

Bottle and label design

A bottle of Finland is a real 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 shine resembled an icicle, and the label depicted fighting reindeer against the background 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 inscription.

In 2003, Finnish industrial designer Harri Koskinen developed the Crystal Ice bottle collection.

In 2011, Koskinen and a reinforced design team developed a new bottle of Melting Ice, which was sculpted by an industrial designer from New York.

Finlandia bottle and label design

Cocktail recipes from the chief mixologist of Finlandia

If you want to go beyond the taste of Finlandia vodka, you should definitely try making cocktails according to the signature recipes of Finlandia Global Mixologist Pekka Pellinen. Its mission is to constantly look for new ideas for cocktails that meet the high standards of the brand.