Vodka Stolichnaya, reviews of which can be heard around the world, has become one of the symbols of Soviet power, which most states feared. The name of the brand, perhaps the only one known on the planet, was created not so much thanks to the development of the assortment and cooking features, as to the secrets and intrigues that were constantly conducted around the USSR during the Cold War. The drink in question can be safely put in one associative row with a bear and a balalaika, creating an idea of ​​Western citizens about Russia.
How was Stolichnaya vodka created?
Reviews are full of questions about how this product was created. It is worth noting that the reliable date of his "birthday" is unknown. There are two versions of the occurrence of the drink. According to one of them, in 1938 V. G. Svirida (specialist in the production of vodka) invented the production technology and proportions, after which a print of 1938 appeared on the bottles. The whole process was controlled by the head of the USSR People’s Commissariat for Food Industry A. I. Mikoyan (again according to rumors). The first large batch was released in 1941 in Leningrad, moreover, when the German invaders already blocked the city. The price category of that time is unknown, and the legend is not documented.
The manufacturer’s website contains other figures. It is alleged that the Stolichnaya vodka, reviews of which are given below, was created in 1953. But there are questions too. The fact is that collectors found a bottle that says "People's Commissariat". This indicates that the drink was made during the Second World War, since the Ministry appeared only in 1946. Therefore, the information on the distillery site is false.
Label design
Designers on a paper label of Soviet vodka depicted the hotel "Moscow", which is one of the main symbols of the capital of Russia. The artists who displayed the final design were M. Yakovlev and A. Johanson. This information was provided by the Soyuzprodoformlenie plant, which was engaged in the development of design and advertising of Soviet products in the 40s and 50s of the last century.
According to reviews of Stolichnaya vodka, the content of the classic label changed in the 90s, when the trademark was considered a name. Collectors claim that in just a few years, private manufacturers of alcoholic beverages printed over five thousand versions of the label.
Popularity and development
The drink in question received worldwide fame after winning the Second World War. Vodka "Capital Crystal" (in the reviews confirm this) received the highest awards at international exhibitions (1958, 1963). The specified drink and its varieties after 1955 became one of the main export products that are stably supplied to countries around the world.
Another round of popularity occurred in 1972, after the conclusion of the agreement between Pepsi-Cola and Soyuzplodoimport on the sale of Soviet alcohol in the United States. At the same time, the Union significantly increased sales of famous soda, and about 1 million decaliters of Stolichnaya were delivered to America.
Crisis times
After the perestroika, distilleries began to actively pass into private hands. State distilleries, including in Bryansk, Stolichnaya vodka (there are a lot of reviews about it) are no longer produced. This is due to the fact that the copyright holder demanded the conclusion of a license agreement, which did not happen. The confrontation reached the Government. As a result, the trademark was canceled by Gospatent, becoming just the name of the vodka product.
The strong alcohol monopoly returned to the state in 1993. Back in 1991, the document mentioned above was canceled, the trademark was revived and became the property of VAO Soyuzplodoimport. In 1999, the owner of the Fruit Company (at that time Plodoimport was called that way), J. Shefler sold TM to the Dutch manufacturer SPI. Subsequently, there were lawsuits, some countries recognized the rightness of Russia, many others sided with Scheffler and SPI.
The thing is that in 2002 the Government of the Russian Federation assigned Soyuzplodoimport the status of a state-owned enterprise, which has the right to protect domestic brands in the international legal field.
Specifications
In addition to the sharp characteristic vodka taste, you should pay attention to several more basic parameters of this drink, which allow you to determine the originality of the goods:
- Exterior packaging. The bottle has an elongated shape, equipped with a metal cap. At the very bottom there is a "branded" ribbing. The label is made in red-white-gold color, capacity - from 0.25 to 1 liter.
- Decor. The branded packaging should not have glue streaks, bevels of the label, dents on the lid or chips of glass. Technologists control all stages of production, completely eliminating rejects.
- Consistency. Vodka itself must have a “premium” transparency, the formation of sediment and impurities is not allowed. Fluid viscosity also needs to be checked. It is not difficult to do this - turn the bottle over and pay attention to the walls, for some time there should still be traces of a strong alcoholic drink on them.
Manufacturers
The license for the production of Stolichnaya Myagkaya vodka, which was mostly positive on all sales markets, was received by the Crystal factory in Moscow, as well as the Siberian Vodka Company, Bryansk Combine, Yaroslavl Distillery and some other enterprises. In countries where the SPI group has won the debate, the specified product is manufactured under the appropriate brand.
The updated label for the Moscow Hotel added medals received by the drink at international competitions. The emblem of vodka “Capital North Soft” (reviews below) shows the cruiser Aurora and a compass. The drink of this series is softened by adding honey, birch charcoal, and a soda-vinegar component to the composition.
What do consumers say?
Users respond to the drink in different ways. Many pay tribute to the quality of the taste of vodka, but do not note anything supernatural in it. This applies to the standard product category. Elite and export varieties are slightly better, as they undergo additional purification and are prepared from the highest quality raw materials. In general, reviews about Stolichnaya Sever vodka and its analogues allow us to characterize the drink as a full-fledged worthy product in its segment, which optimally combines price / quality parameters. Most consumers point to a few more points:
- A hangover after drinking this alcohol is present, but not critical.
- The Stolichnaya brand is most often shown in foreign films at the mention of Russian vodka brands.
- Vodka is not necessary to drink, but can be used for medicinal purposes (compresses, rubbing, and the like).
- “Stolichnaya” complies with GOST 20001-74, which states that vodka is a strong drink of 40–45% vol. Made from alcohol with subsequent filtration.