Vodka "Stolichnaya": consumer reviews, factories and compliance with GOST requirements

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Stolichnaya vodka, reviews of which can be heard all over the world, has become one of the symbols of Soviet power, which was feared by most states. 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 the peculiarities of preparation, but 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 the same associative array with a bear and a balalaika, which create an idea of Western citizens about Russia.

How was Stolichnaya vodka created?

Reviews are full of questions about how the specified product was created. It is worth noting that the exact date of his "birthday" is unknown. There are two versions of the origin of the drink. According to one of them, in 1938, V. G. Svirida (a specialist in the production of vodka) came up with a production technology and proportions, after which an imprint of 1938 appeared on the bottles. The whole process was controlled by the head of the People'sA. I. Mikoyan of the Commissariat of the Food Industry of the USSR (again, according to rumors). The first large batch was released in 1941 in Leningrad, moreover, when the German invaders had already blockaded the city. The price category of that time is unknown, and the legend is not documented.

Other figures appear on the manufacturer's website. It is alleged that Stolichnaya vodka, reviews of which are given below, was created in 1953. But here, too, there are questions. The fact is that collectors found a bottle with the inscription "Narkompischeprom". This indicates that the drink was made during the Second World War, since the Ministries did not appear until 1946. Therefore, the information on the site of the distillery is unreliable.

Label development

Designers on the paper label of Soviet vodka depicted the Moskva Hotel, which is one of the main symbols of the Russian capital. The artists who displayed the final design were M. Yakovlev and A. Joganson. 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.

As evidenced by reviews of Stolichnaya vodka, the content of the classic label changed in the 90s, when the trademark began to be considered a name. Collectors claim that in just a few years, private distillers have printed over five thousand versions of the label.

Popularity anddevelopment

The drink in question gained worldwide fame after the victory in World War II. Vodka "Capital Crystal" (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, steadily supplied to countries around the world.

The next round of popularity occurred in 1972, after the conclusion of an agreement between Pepsi-Cola and Soyuzplodoimport on the sale of Soviet alcohol in the United States. At the same time, sales of well-known sodas increased significantly in the Union, and about 1 million decalitres of Stolichnaya were supplied to America.

Crisis times

After perestroika, distilleries began to actively pass into private hands. State distilleries, including in Bryansk, stop producing Stolichnaya vodka (there are many reviews about this). 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 the State Patent, becoming just the name of a vodka product.

The monopoly on strong alcohol 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 Plodovaya Kompaniya (Plodoimport was called that at that time) Y. Shefler sold TM to the Dutch manufacturer SPI. Subsequently, there were litigations, some countries recognized the correctness of Russia, many others sided with Shefler andSPI.

The fact is that in 2002 the Government of the Russian Federation awarded Soyuzplodoimport the status of a state-owned enterprise, which has the right to protect domestic brands in the international legal field.

Features

In addition to the sharp characteristic vodka taste, you should pay attention to a few more basic parameters of this drink, which allow you to determine the originality of the product:

1. External design of the container. The bottle has an elongated shape, equipped with a metal cap. At the very bottom there is a "signature" ribbing. The label is produced in red-white-gold color, capacities - from 0.25 to 1 liter.
2. Design. There should be no glue drips, label bevels, dents on the lid and glass chips on the branded container. Technologists control all stages of production, completely weeding out defects.
3. Consistency. The vodka itself must have a "premium" transparency, the formation of sediment and impurities is not allowed. The viscosity of the fluid also needs to be checked. This is easy to do - turn the bottle over and pay attention to the walls, they should still have traces of a strong alcoholic drink on them for some time.

Producers

The license for the production of Stolichnaya Soft vodka, reviews of which are mostly positive in all sales markets, was received by the Kristall plant in Moscow, as well as the Siberian Vodka Company, the Bryansk Combine, the Yaroslavl Distillery and some other enterprises. In those countries wherethe SPI group won the litigation, the listed product is produced under the appropriate brand name.

The updated label for the Moskva Hotel has added medals received by the drink at international competitions. The emblem of Stolichnaya Sever Myagkaya vodka (reviews below) depicts the Aurora cruiser and a compass. The drink of this series is softened by adding honey, birch charcoal, soda-acetic component to the composition.

What are consumers saying?

Users respond differently to the drink in question. 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 somewhat better, as they undergo additional cleaning and are prepared from the highest quality raw materials. In general, reviews of Stolichnaya Sever vodka and its analogues make it possible 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:

1. Hangover after drinking this alcohol is present, but not critical.
2. The Stolichnaya brand is most often shown in foreign films when Russian vodka brands are mentioned.
3. Vodka is not necessary to drink, but can be used for medicinal purposes (compresses, rubbing, etc.).
4. "Stolichnaya" complies with GOST 20001-74, which states that vodka is a strong drink 40-45% by volume, made from alcohol with subsequentfiltering.