Sustainable and hand in hand with the Village
In a Glass
Product: Koskenkorva Vodka
Origin: Koskenkorva, South Ostrobothnia, Finland
Category: Vodka
ABV: 40 %
Base: Barley
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Crystal clear
Nose
Grain, Light spiciness, Overall very restrained, Clean and neutral
Palate
Clear, Soft, Neutral, Smooth, Light grain notes
Finish
Grain notes partially persist
Production
With Koskenkorvas Slogan “from a Village” we might start there. Most of their finnish barley that they use for the Vodka comes from about 1’500 farmers in a 200km radius around Koskenkorva. Among others Koskenkorva is made out of the barley varieties Saana, Elmeri and Kaarle which get a lot of sun for long periods due to the long summer days in Finland.
About 180 Million kg of finnish barley is turned every year to Vodka. Next to barley another important Ingredient for Vodka is Water, Water from a spring in Rajamäki at a depth of 7–8 meters.
Koskenkorva Vodka is produced using continuous distillation. Five distillation columns with four Support Columns are producing a liquid with 96% ABV. Afterwards, the vodka is diluted to a drinking strength of 40% ABV.
An Important point of the production for Koskenkorva is sustainability. Koskenkorva is trying to use everything on the whole production circle. For example the barley husk as a by-product is used as fuel for the bioenergy plant. Since 2023 the electricity for the facility comes from 100% renewable energy generated by wind power. The goal is a complete fossil-free production.
Koskenkorva works for their “Climate Action Vodka” with regenerative agriculture which aims to: improve soil health, increase biodiversity, retain more water in the soil, reduce nutrient losses, sequester carbon in the soil, create more resilient soils in the long term.
History
The History of the Distillery starts in the 1930s the Finnish alcohol monopoly Oy Alkoholiliike Ab bought land from the Koskenkorva Family, and built the Distillery there, by spring 1941, the first experimental distillations began.
But let’s go some steps back. The name Koskenkorva originally refers not to an alcohol, but to a place. The Village got the official name Koskenkorva in 1911 with the construction of the railway station. But the Koskenkorva estate is much older, probably going back to the 17th century. In Southern Ostrobothnia, it was traditionally customary to adopt part of a new farm’s name as one’s family name upon acquiring the property. Martti’s grandfather moved to the estate in 1886, and his children later adopted its name Koskenkorva.
In 1953 Koskenkorva launched their first product commercially Koskenkorva Viina. The idea was an uncomplicated finnish schnapps or simply a spirit that could be drunk as a shot, a mixed drink, or simply straight, ice-cold. And it became just that; as early as 1960, Koskenkorva was reportedly one of Finland’s most popular spirit brands.
First the Vodka was made out of Potatoes but they switched to barley, since barley grew, and still grows, particularly well in this region.
Koskenkorva – Vodka From a Village, is more than a Slogan, the Vodka is part of the Village with its approximately 2’200 inhabitants and the region is shaped by agriculture. The Name of the brand actually comes from the place where it is produced.
In Finland, Koskenkorva is sometimes simply called “Kossu.” The nickname is a shortened form of Koskenkorva and is evidently deeply rooted in Finnish drinking culture.
My Take
Talking about vodka is always tricky, because the goal is for it to be as “clean and smooth” as possible, hence the distillation to 96% alcohol, which leaves little behind other than the alcohol itself. In my opinion, arguing over the subtle, nuanced differences between various vodkas doesn’t make much sense, either.
Koskenkorva Vodka is a good vodka, and their commitment to sustainability is even better—and that deserves to be recognized.
Best Used In
Espresso Martini
Vodka Soda
