History

What a long strange trip it’s been! Bob Ridgeway (director of sales) formed our company in 2003, and one or both of us have been working steadily ever since to bring our vodkas, White Birch and Old Russian, to America. Starting a spirits import company from scratch (like we did), is full of twists and turns. There were a lot of setbacks on the way.

We’ve had plenty to inspire us, though. From the very first sips in Russia those many years ago, we knew we were tasting two of the finest vodkas in the world. They had taste, they had aroma, they had flavor, they had body. So many vodkas we had experienced in America were flat and featureless. Potent to be sure, but basically nothing for our palates to get excited about. White Birch and Old Russian were different. We didn’t know exactly how to describe the difference (what with our virgin taste buds), but we knew they were different.

In the fall and winter of 2005-2006, the critics discovered us. They had the words that we lacked. One reviewer said White Birch had a “clean, sweet fruit pastry and cream aromas,” finishing with a “clean mineral and a pepper marmalade fade.” This reviewer summed up White Birch as “effotless and classy with an exceptional mouthfeel” and gave it the coveted “93 Points-Gold Medal-Exceptional” rating.

To our delight, the other critics were all unanimous in their praise. Old Russian scored an 88-point rating and was called “elegantly sweet, medium-bodied and creamy textured, and mineral-like, with a welcome and warm taste of spirit.” Both White Birch and Old Russian were rated “Exceptional,” “Highly Recommended,” “Four Stars,” and/or “Best Buy.”

Flash forward almost two years. In the summer of 2007, we finally obtained all the permits and approvals we needed, and we were set to go. Over the summer, we ordered our first shipment, and it set sail from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in August. After stops in Istanbul, LeHavre, it arrived in late September.

Since that time, more and more retailers, restaurants, and drinkers are discovering our exceptional taste. As I write this, White Birch and Old Russian are in 85 locations in Georgia, from hip lounges to liquor superstores. Try us. Take a bottle, put it in the freezer overnight, then pour yourself a shot. Yes, you can sip it straight — it’s that good. One drink and you’ll probably never go back to your old vodka.

Na Zdorovye!