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1 of world’s largest private yachts ties up on Elliott Bay

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One of the biggest yachts in the world is moored in Elliott Bay.

The Serene, a $330 million, 440-foot private yacht belonging to a wealthy Russian vodka distributor, pulled into Seattle’s Pier 90 over the weekend, right by the Interbay neighborhood.

The yacht’s owner, Yuri Scheffler, controls SPI Group, which distributes Stolichnaya vodka internationally.

The 2-year-old yacht, made in Italy by Fincantieri , has a 52-person crew and has been in Vancouver, B.C., for the past few months. The Serene flies the flag of the Grand Cayman Islands and illuminates the water with bright-green lighting at night. This is its first time in Seattle, and as the ninth-largest privately owned yacht in the world, according to Boat International magazine , it is likely the biggest one ever to enter Seattle’s waters.

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How big? We’re talking massive.

The Serene has two helicopter-landing platforms and a hangar, along with a storage area for a submarine that can dive to 300 feet. It’s longer than a football field and has more than 48,000 square feet of covered space on its seven decks.

The Serene was a finalist in last year’s World Superyacht Awards, and a description on CharterWorld.com called it a “floating palace” with few equals in the world.

The yacht accommodates 24 guests in its 12 staterooms. It has large indoor and outdoor swimming pools, several hot tubs, a steam room and a JetStream exercise pool.

Elevators and a spiral staircase link the seven decks. The ship also features children’s playrooms, where they can scale a climbing wall, slide down from deck to deck, or even play video games. A “Nemo” room gives guests a peek under the sea through a thick glass panel. And to top it all off, the Serene has an outdoor cinema.

It’s unclear how long the yacht will be in Seattle, but the Northwest Marine Trade Association estimates that for every 30 days it’s here, it will spend roughly $2.7 million on repairs and other services — roughly $90,000 a day.

But that economic impact will probably be capped at $5.4 million, said Peter Schrappen, the association’s director of government affairs. After two months, the state levies a heavy tax on out-of-state yachts, which, he says, drives them away and deprives local businesses of money owners of these types of boats can spend.

He called the Serene a floating economic-stimulus package that’s being turned away because of the tax, 10 percent on the value of recreational boats — more than $30 million for the Serene — after 60 days in port, more or less forcing vessels to leave after that time is up.

A Marine Tourism Bill the association is trying to pass would extend that period to 180 days, to make Seattle’s ports more competitive with those in British Columbia, where a boat can moor year-round tax free. But that hasn’t passed, so Schrappen expects the Serene to be on its way out sometime in the next 60 days.

“Sixty days — you can take that to the bank,” he said. “Well, I guess you can’t take that to the bank. They won’t be spending their money here” for much longer.

Colin Campbell: 206-464-2033 or [email protected].

On Twitter: @cmcampbell6

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Stoli Billionaire Parks His $330 Million Yacht in Biscayne Bay

There's a colossal Russian-owned boat parked in Biscayne Bay, but don't worry. It has nothing to do with the escalating national tension with Vladimir Putin.

The 436-foot yacht belongs to Yuri Scheffler, a man who himself is no friend of Putin's and who controls the Stolichnaya vodka brand.

The megayacht, known as the Serene , is one of the largest privately owned boats in the world. It showed up in Miami late last week and is docked near the American Airlines Arena in downtown.

The yacht, completed in 2011, boasts five levels and has enough room for 24 guests and 54 crew members. It also includes an indoor rock-climbing wall and underwater "viewing room." Altogether, the boat is worth at least $330 million.

Scheffler, who might or might not be aboard, left Russia in 2003 after Putin tried to nationalize the company that controls Stoli. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he hasn't been back since. Serene , meanwhile, pops up in ports across the world from time to time. According to Marine Traffic , it was last docked in New York, where it stayed for about two weeks.

My next purchase! Serene Mega Yacht! #My next purchase! #SereneMegaYacht #luxeflhomes #miami #yacht pic.twitter.com/oRwhguPcAC — Andrena Dimitrijevic (@LuxeFLHomes) March 23, 2014

Russian billionaire has his $330 Million yacht docked by AAA in Downtown Miami @pageqsports http://t.co/0cUsk9uZ6M pic.twitter.com/rusCqycYAF — 560 Q-AM (@560WQAM) March 21, 2014

Whether unintentional or not, the yacht seems to have arrived just in time for Ultra Music Festival. Let's hope Scheffler or whoever is on board is ready for nonstop beats for three days.

Send your story tips to the author, Kyle Munzenrieder, or follow him on Twitter .

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes .

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Luxury Mega Yacht SERENE

SERENE (133.9m, 439ft) is a superb example of mega yacht design by highly awarded Espen Oeino with interiors by Reymond Langton Design. She was delivered by builder, Fincantieri in 2011.

The original owner of SERENE, Russian billionaire and owner of Stolichnaya Vodka, Yuri Shefler sold her to Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince in 2014 in a deal said to be worth €350 million.

Onboard the mega yacht SERENE are 15 suites to accommodate 24 guests and up to 52 crew. Among her many features, SERENE boasts two helicopter landing platforms, hot and cold Jacuzzis, health club and spa, cinema, children's playground with , indoor climbing wall, a slide between the decks, storage for a large submarine and a huge internal sea water pool, which can be adapted to be used for tender docking. Then there's a dance floor complete with bandstand, a wood fire pizza oven and a Teppanyaki grill, plus an enchanting 'Nemo' room that allows guests to view all the sub-sea marine life. But the piece de resistance and her most vivid assets are the turquoise-coloured neon runners that outline the ship, illuminating her at night. For on-water fun, SERENE'S guests can choose from four different tenders, sports fishing safeboat with full diving support, two lasers, sea kayaks, a full range of inflatable toys, water skis, wakeboards, and deep-sea fishing gear.

For further details of this beautiful mega yacht, and other stunning superyachts  please contact the specialists at the Luxury Charter Group.

Espen Oeino

Reymond Langton Design

Fincantieri

133.9m, 439'

Disclaimer: The information about luxury yachts displayed on this page is merely informational and these yachts are not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor are they represented or marketed in anyway by Luxury Charter Group. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and information is displayed in good faith but Luxury Charter Group does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

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Vodka magnate's super yacht sparkles in Biscayne Bay

Company offers charter services on serene for more than $5 million per week.

MIAMI – Sparkling in Biscayne Bay, built one Stoli at a time, is a $330 million dream named Serene.

The 436-foot super yacht is one of the most expensive boats in the world. Serene belongs to Russian vodka magnate Yuri Scheffler, who distributes Stolichnaya Vodka.

It's docked in the shadows of American Airlines arena, which has drawn many people out to the water's edge to snap a photo and marvel at the ship's size.

The pictures are free, but for the average person, there isn't much financial peace in getting aboard the Serene.

According to YachtCharterFleet.com , a company that offers charter services for the Serene, one week of chartering will cost more than $5 million. The site said that will fetch someone 48,000 square feet, enough space for 24 guests who will be waited on hand and foot by a crew of 52 people.

Among the many amenities the multimillion-dollar boat boasts are 18 state rooms, seven decks, including indoor and outdoor pools, an underwater viewing area, a rock-climbing wall, two helicopter landing pads and a submarine hangar.

The Serene was last docked in New York, according to tracking site Marine Traffic. Sheffler was reportedly on board. It's unclear who is on the ship in Miami.

Copyright 2014 by Local10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Need To Know

14 Things You Should Know About Stolichnaya Vodka

words: Emily Bell

illustration: Danielle Grinberg

Stolichnaya (stow-LEECH-na-ya), better known simply as Stoli, is a familiar bottle on the liquor store shelf, and one of the top-selling spirits brands in the world.

But there’s a lot more to the clear spirit than meets the eye — such as a murder mystery, a Russian or not-so-Russian heritage, and a checkered past with the LGBTQ community.

Below, here are 14 more things you should know about Stolichnaya.

Yes, it’s Russian.

Born in russia, made in latvia., stoli is produced by an anti-establishment russian billionaire..

You know how Whole Foods is owned by Amazon, which is owned by Jeff Bezos, who is in turn owned by one of the Kings of Jupiter (or probably something like that)? That’s somewhat similar to how Stolichnaya works.

Stoli’s parent-company founder may have been framed for murder… by Putin.

The lgbtq community once boycotted stoli, but it was kind of by accident..

Not very long ago, there was a big, misplaced anti-Stolichnaya boycott on behalf of LGBTQ rights. In 2013, Vladimir Putin passed the so-called “gay propaganda” law , supposedly “aimed at protecting children from information promoting the denial of traditional family values,” a very thinly veiled tactic to enforce the heteronormative lifestyle by banning visibility (and viability) of the LGBTQ lifestyle.

Stoli made it right, anyhow.

It co-sponsors a next-level LGBTQ bartending competition. Founded in 2013 by Stoli’s LGBTQ ambassador Patrik Gallineaux, the Key West Cocktail Classic has grown into a nationwide LGBTQ bartending competition yes, but it’s also a massive declaration of presence and pride for the LGBTQ/gay-bar community at large. The competition takes place over the year, with bartenders nationwide competing for a chance to make it to the finals at Key West Pride.

Like delicious Borodinsky bread, it’s made with wheat and rye.

With all that wheat, it’s still gluten-free..

Yes, this vodka is made from wheat and yes, like Smirnoff , Stolichnaya likes to tout the fact that it’s gluten-free. How can that be? Since the distillation process involves repeatedly stripping away everything but ethanol, what remains in a bottle of wheat-based Stoli has as much to do with a grain of wheat as something Blue Razzberry-flavored has to do with a raspberry bush.

Speaking of Blue Razz…

We once traded a bunch of pepsi for a bunch of stoli..

In the 1970s, PepsiCo penned an agreement with the Soviet Union to ship its cola concentrate to be bottled there in exchange for increasing U.S. imports of Stoli vodka. The deal was signed in 1972, and bottling began in 1974. PepsiCo later doubled down on the deal when, in 1990, the trade agreement expanded and increased retail sales of Pepsi in the Soviet Union and Stoli vodka in the U.S. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, PepsiCo called it “the biggest, longest-running agreement ever concluded by the Kremlin with a U.S. firm.”

It was the first Russian vodka export.

It’s made with artesian water. that’s not really important., its many cameos include a james bond movie, and a very uncomfortable eminem/rihanna music video..

Not every Bond favors Stolichnaya (we get it, Craig, you’re smoldering and different). But the one who did — Roger Moore — liked it a lot . In “A View to Kill ,” he drinks some Stoli in an iceberg submarine, because that’s a thing, after taking a microchip out of the body of his fellow agent in Siberia (and that’s all within the first 10 minutes). AbFab fans already know that Stolichnaya is Patsy’s favored 11 a.m. tipple .

Stoli makes regular, anachronistic appearances in ‘Mad Men.’

Roger Sterling was a fan of Stolichnaya (he even listened to the stuff ). But the action of “Mad Men” took place in the 1960s and Stolichnaya didn’t make it to America until the great Pepsi-Stoli swap of 1974 (see above). So every appearance of the bottle was a little delicious oopsies. Or else, like so many characters involved in the making of “Mad Men,” they just stopped caring .

Published: May 8, 2020

• 14 Things You Should Know About Stolichnaya Vodka | VinePair
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Stoli Vodka Review

This peppery, personality-driven vodka is best savored in stirred drinks.

Liquor.com / Laura Sant

This herbaceous and peppery vodka is bolder on the palate than other bottles, but it's still versatile: It works well in stirred drinks and also holds up to heavy Eastern European foods like roe and smoked fish.

Classification vodka

Company SPI Group

Distillery Latvijas Balzams Distillery (Riga, Latvia)

Released 1938

Proof 80 (40% ABV)

Great choice for a classic vodka Martini on the wet side; plays well with vermouth.

Generally a good choice for stirred drinks; the snappy, peppery, dry profile works nicely with other boozy modifiers without completely disappearing into them.

Affordable price point

Perhaps not the best choice for juicy, fruity cocktails for which you might want a more blank slate-style of the spirit

Some might find the peppery rye notes overwhelming, and mistakenly confuse the innate, dry herb-pepperiness with heat from alcohol.

Tasting Notes

Color : Clear

Nose : Subtle and balanced notes of sweetness and herbaceousness

Palate : This vodka fills the mid-palate with wheated sweetness, and then segues into a prickly, peppery finale. Its body offers a pleasing weight that fills all parts of the mouth equally and blankets the entire tongue.

Finish : Herbaceous and peppery, dry in the midpalate, with a long delicately bitter, tongue-sucking dry finish

Stoli is a vodka with backbone. Vodkas often prioritize a neutral, blank-slate palate, but this bottle's flavors hold a presence, either sipped neat or mixed into a variety of vodka cocktails.  

The vodka starts out a little cereal sweet, likely from the wheat that is part of its base, and then grows in herbaceous, peppery dominance from the rye that composes the rest of the recipe. Its flavors and pleasant weightiness cover every part of your tongue, and stand up nicely to heavy, flavorful foods. Chilled and consumed neat, it makes a good accompaniment to many Eastern European dishes, especially roe and smoked fish.

Officially named Stolichnaya until March 2022, Stoli has a complicated relationship with Russia: It originated as a state-produced Russian vodka sometime around the turn of the century and was trademarked in the former Soviet Union in 1938. But it has been made in Latvia since 2000, when its ogliarch owner Yuri Shefler was exiled from Russia for speaking publicly against Vladimir Putin. The company completely rebranded itself as Stoli in response to confusion over its Russian roots after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Interesting Fact

Stoli was the first vodka producer to create and release flavored versions globally in 1962 (which was perhaps overshadowed in the news by other events at the time, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and John Glenn orbiting the moon). The first flavors were Honey & Herb and Pepper. 

The Bottom Line

Stoli is a solid, classic vodka that works as well in stirred drinks as it does chilled and paired with smoked sturgeon. 

The Russian-born billionaire who founded Stolichnaya vodka is changing the brand's name

• Stolichnaya vodka is severing its final tie to Russia and changing its name to "Stoli."
• Stoli Group said it rebranded as a "direct response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine."
• Yuri Shefler, the Russian-born billionaire founder, said he'd been exiled from Russia since 2000.

Stolichnaya vodka is rebranding to go by its nickname "Stoli."

The vodka brand, which has previously been marketed as Russian, changed its name as a "direct response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine," Stoli Group said in its press release on Friday. 

The founder of the company, the Russian-born billionaire Yuri Shefler, said the name, and its association with Russia, was no longer representative of the brand.

Related stories

"While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand," Shefler said in the press release. "Today, we have made the decision to rebrand entirely as the name no longer represents our organization. More than anything, I wish for 'Stoli' to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine."

Shefler said he was forced to move to Luxembourg because Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to "wrest control" of the brand. Ownership of the brand has been disputed between Shefler's Stoli Group, which is based in Latvia, and Sojuzplodoimport, a firm owned by the Russian state, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

"I have personally experienced persecution by Putin's regime and I share the pain of Ukraine and its people," Shefler said.

The company's production facilities are in Latvia. Last week, Stoli Group said it would only use Slovakian sources to avoid any ties with Russia.

Stoli Group's announcement comes as businesses and state officials across the country call for a boycott of vodka. Though many vodka products are advertised as Russian, only about 1% of vodka in the US comes from Russia.

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Filed under:

The Empty Politics of Stoli’s Name Change

Will the few people dumping out their bottles of Stoli stop now that it’s ditched the “-chnaya”?

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On Friday, the makers of Stolichnaya vodka announced that it would no longer be called Stolichnaya vodka. Instead, the brand will be known as Stoli, making official the nickname consumers have been using for years, and changing the name from an actual Russian word (“Stolichnaya” translates roughly to “metropolitan”) to one that doesn’t mean anything.

In response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, a few bartenders have made a show of dumping Stoli vodka down the drain, in a supposed move of solidarity with Ukraine. There is also increased government opposition toward Russian-made products. Multiple states with state-run liquor stores have banned the sale of Russian spirits from the shelves, even though less than one percent of alcohol consumed in the U.S. is Russian-made. However, Stoli says of the name change, “The three driving factors behind the decision are the founder’s vehement position on the Putin regime; the Stoli employees determination to take action; and the desire to accurately represent Stoli’s roots in Latvia.”

Stoli says its original formula was created in 1938, though others say the vodka originated in 1901 , connected to the Moscow State Wine warehouse. It was first imported into the U.S. in the 1970s, with production based in Latvia, a fact the company has tried to emphasize in the past few weeks. It’s also made a point of highlighting Spirits International group owner Yuri Shefler’s beef with Putin. “While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand,” he said in a statement. “Today, we have made the decision to rebrand entirely as the name no longer represents our organization. More than anything, I wish for ‘Stoli’ to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine.”

Shefler’s persecution is a result of a dispute over who has control over the Stoli trademark, Shefler or the Russian government. “In 2000, in one the first examples of the regime identifying a valuable asset and attempting to wrest control of it, Putin waged a battle for Stoli ® vodka trademarks across the world,” Stoli explains on its site . “This is still ongoing in some countries. Yuri Shefler left Russia in 2002 and has not returned since.” Stoli also said it would be ensuring none of its ingredients are sourced from Russia, and is donating to World Central Kitchen’s relief efforts in Ukraine. The company did not specify when customers could expect to see newly-branded bottles on the shelves.

This isn’t the first time Stoli has had to clarify its relationship with Russia in response to a backlash. In 2013 , columnist Dan Savage called on bars to boycott Stoli vodka in response to Russia’s anti-gay laws, and said that it didn’t matter if Stoli was made in Latvia — its distributor is still Russian-owned. Spirits International’s then-CEO, Val Mendeleev, said at the time, “We fully support and endorse your objectives to fight against prejudice in Russia. In the past decade, SPI has been actively advocating in favor of freedom, tolerance, and openness in society, standing very passionately on the side of the LGBT community and will continue to support any effective initiative in that direction.”

By officially adopting a nickname, Stoli is attempting to further reject its Russian past, perhaps positioning itself to be a popular choice among people who base their politics around what they buy. It may also be a move to avoid harassment. Restaurants like the Russian Tea Room in New York and Texas’s Russian House have proactively distanced themselves from Russia, with Russian House going so far as to change its name , as businesses even the tiniest bit associated with Russia are facing threats and vandalism .

But will the few people already dumping out their bottles of Stoli stop now that it’s ditched the “-chnaya”? It’s hard to say. The spirit having been made in Latvia for decades didn’t stop them from doing so in the first place. What’s more, Russia is not synonymous with Putin, and anyone assuming a brand originating in that country automatically endorses everything its current leader does probably has a flimsy understanding of geopolitics at best. And honestly, does “Stoli” even sound less Russian?

The rebrand is a largely empty gesture, made to placate customers’ squeamishness around being associated with Russia (and possibly helping Stoli out in their trademark battle?) without actually requiring them to do anything. Buying or not buying Stoli was never going to affect Russia in the first place. It still won’t.

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Review: Stolichnaya Stoli Gold Edition Vodka

Stolichnaya Gold — “Stoli Gold” — is a small step up from standard Stolichnaya (and not nearly as pricey as Stoli Elit ), and recently the brand redesigned its packaging — and its production process. This isn’t the first time Stoli has updated Stoli Gold… in fact, it used to be called something entirely different.

First conceived as Stoli Cristal in 1989 to add a new dimension to the category, the expression name was changed a decade later as a nod to its final filtration stage through coils of gold thread. Stoli Gold’s redesign includes the bottle, label and production process and is aimed at elevating the consumer experience at shelf in the off-trade and at high-end clubs and lounges in the on-trade. The product is now available in 750 mL and 1 litre sizes in top USA and global markets, along with select duty-free retailers. Stoli Gold harnesses some of the world’s rarest elements to produce a sublimely rich vodka. While winter wheat is predominantly a dryland crop, the Gubernator Dona winter wheat grown on this single estate is carefully irrigated from an ecologically pure aquifer lying at a depth of 185 meters to ensure optimum soil moisture conditions and high-quality yields. Next, the Alpha Grade spirit is blended with water filtered through shungite, one of the rarest and most remarkable minerals on earth, found only in a remote part of northwest Russia. This blend is then filtered in the traditional Stoli way before the final filtration through coils of gold thread to subtly amplify the depth, enhance the softness and harmonize the emerging liquid.

So there you have it: Winter wheat, distilled and filtered through gold coils. And shungite, people! Let’s give this premium vodka a try.

The nose is quite clean, modest in its medicinality, but lightly fruity, with hints of apricot and peach, giving the vodka an unusual liveliness that is seldom seen in an Old World spirit. The palate is sweeter than rack Stoli — though, to its credit, Stoli imprints NO SUGAR in all caps on the reverse of the bottle — with more of that apricot showing, alongside some hints of cinnamon sugar and a squeeze of grapefruit. The finish is clean but lasting, showing off a slight mint character. All told, the elements come together quite beautifully, and though it’s always hard to get too excited about vodka, Stoli Gold is a decidedly solid spirit that is, fortunately, affordable enough to be a mainstay on your back bar — and will look good, too.

A / $29 / stoli.com [ BUY IT NOW FROM THE BOTTLE CLUB ]

Stolichnaya Stoli Gold Edition Vodka

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Christopher Null is the founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker. A veteran writer and journalist, he also operates Null Media, a bespoke content creation company.

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The Best Vodkas

Vodka is one of the world’s most popular spirits, yet very few people in the US seem to fully appreciate it. At least it feels that way.

In our quest to find the best vodkas, we struggled to locate resources, enthusiasts, and specialty bars in this country devoted exclusively to the clear spirit. Even its legal definition leaves little room for romance: Until recently , the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) required any liquor marketed as vodka to be “without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.”

But after tasting 15 different vodkas, our testers ended up with a newfound respect for the spirit. Despite this country’s relative lack of fervor for vodka compared with, say, whiskey or gin, we surfaced with a surprisingly diverse selection of favorites. Our picks include a briny vodka that’s great for martinis, a richer option for those with a sweet tooth, and a creamy workhorse vodka that belongs in every home bar.

The research

A creamy, superb all-purpose vodka: kirkland signature american vodka, crisp, classic, and citrusy: smirnoff no. 21 vodka, a salty, unique vodka: pinnacle vodka, a mild, maskable vodka: stolichnaya vodka, a sweet, robust vodka: tito’s handmade vodka, the competition, why you should trust us, how we picked, how we tested, why you shouldn’t pay a lot for vodka (unless you want to), what about gluten-free vodka.

Kirkland Signature American Vodka

The unanimous favorite.

This vodka is the cleanest, creamiest, most versatile one we tried.

Buying Options

From our first round of tasting until our last, Kirkland Signature American Vodka was unanimously our favorite of the bunch. If you want a clean, neutral vodka to drink on its own, in cocktails, or subdued with other mixers, this is the bottle we’d recommend.

This vodka has aromas and flavors of citrus and rose that are soft and subtle, not overpowering, and it blends well in just about any cocktail you can mix. It has the silkiest texture of all the vodkas we tried, and it doesn’t lose this exceptional creaminess when diluted. This bottle also lacks the harsh alcohol burn on the nose or palate that makes many vodkas off-putting.

There is one caveat: It comes only in a Costco-size bottle. This vodka is sold in a 1.75-liter bottle, which is more than double the size of a standard, 750-milliliter bottle of liquor. While we believe that this vodka belongs in every home bar, you may have trouble fitting it into your liquor cabinet. The bottle is 14 inches tall, and the only place I can hide it in my house is underneath the kitchen sink.

Base ingredient: corn What we like it in: virtually everything Where it’s made: United States

Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka

Less creamy but more widely available.

If you can’t get your hands on a bottle of Kirkland Signature American Vodka, Smirnoff’s flagship bottle is the next best thing.

Vodka wasn’t readily available in the US until about a century ago, when Smirnoff arrived and was introduced to the masses, according to The King of Vodka by Linda Himelstein. Smirnoff produced the vodka of choice for Russian royalty, before the Russian Revolution. And it later became the first vodka distillery in the US . Over time, Smirnoff rose to be the world’s best-selling vodka —and a pillar of the popular Moscow mule . After tasting Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka in multiple brand-concealed tests, we can see why its legacy lives on—it’s crisp, clean, and versatile.

This vodka is thinner and less creamy than Kirkland Signature American Vodka . But if that pick is unavailable, or you don’t have access to Costco, Smirnoff is enjoyable on its own or mixed. It has a fresher citrus character than our other picks, yet these notes are understated until coaxed out by other ingredients in sweeter cocktails or sours. This vodka also has nice peppery and vegetal flavors that flourish when paired with a savory martini or a Bloody Mary.

Base ingredient: grain What we like it in: a Bloody Mary, a classic sour, a vodka soda or tonic, a Moscow mule, and a martini garnished with an olive, a twist, or an onion Where it’s made: United States

Pinnacle Vodka

Savory, salty, and strange.

This briny vodka is great in savory cocktails, and its strong, salty flavor makes it an interesting (and polarizing) choice.

Right out of the bottle, Pinnacle Vodka tastes remarkably close to a dirty or vermouth-forward martini. It’s salty and savory, with notes of brine, cut grass, and tree nuts. It feels round and warm on the palate, and it provides a pop of black pepper flavor before finishing dry on the tongue.

When we mixed this vodka into a classic sour, we thought its salinity clashed against the other sweet and tart ingredients. But we loved how that flavor worked in its favor in a martini, which we prepared with just vodka and vermouth. (We’d advise caution to all but the biggest salt lovers when using this vodka in a dirty martini.)

Base ingredient: grain What we like it in: a martini garnished with an olive or an onion, a Bloody Mary, a Moscow mule, and a greyhound Where it’s made: distilled in France, bottled in the United States

Stolichnaya Vodka

The mildest option.

This mellow vodka is a boozy chameleon—it’s best for those who want to camouflage their alcohol behind other mixers.

If you want to imbibe, but you prefer not to taste a lot of alcohol, Stolichnaya Vodka is mild, neutral, and easily muted. On its own, it finishes quickly and has pleasant notes of cool aloe, fresh lime, and peppery nettles. But when mixed with other ingredients or served over ice, it fades into the background.

Compared with our other picks, this vodka is a bit sharper and thinner in texture, and it melts down significantly when diluted. This one is good for people who like to mask their vodka in highballs or martinis. But Stolichnaya has the propensity to make shaken cocktails too watery—especially drinks like white Russians or espresso martinis, which benefit more from round, creamy vodkas.

Base ingredient: grain What we like it in: a vodka soda or tonic, a screwdriver, a greyhound or salty dog, and a martini garnished with an olive, a twist, or an onion Where it’s made: Latvia

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

A sweeter vodka with pronounced character.

This vodka is richer and sweeter than our other picks, so it meshes wonderfully when used in citrusy or savory cocktails.

Compared with our most neutral picks, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will not disappear easily when mixed. Its honey-like sweetness remains potent, and its medium body holds, even when diluted. It tastes best when counterbalanced with tart, saline, or savory ingredients.

Tito’s has a slight alcohol burn, and it leaves some astringency on the palate, which makes it less appealing to sip on than our other picks. But it’s also round, rich, and complex. When we tasted the vodka alone, we detected faint notes of olive and brine, along with pronounced flavors of butterscotch and honey. These disparate flavors worked together wonderfully in martinis garnished with olives or lemon twists, but we found this vodka’s texture and sweetness cloying in our vodka sours. If you prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side, you may enjoy Tito’s in something like a bee’s knees cocktail—which doubles down with the existing honey flavor—or an espresso martini. Otherwise, this vodka adapts better to fresh citrus, carbonation, or savory profiles.

Base ingredient: corn What we like it in: a vodka soda or tonic, a martini garnished with an olive or a lemon twist, a Bloody Mary, a Moscow mule, and a screwdriver Where it’s made: United States

Svedka Vodka made it to our final round of tasting, but it wasn’t as flavorful as our picks. It’s a decent option if you find it for a good price, and it’s mild enough to mesh with most cocktails.

Hangar 1 Vodka has nice flavors of orange citrus, pine, and forest soil. But it was sharper and more bitter than our picks.

We dismissed Absolut Vodka and Belvedere Vodka because both were too hot, with a harsh alcohol burn on the nose and palate. When diluted, they also became watery yet astringent.

Grey Goose Vodka disappeared too much when diluted, but it left behind the unpleasant taste of ethanol.

We dismissed Ketel One Vodka because we found it to be bland, underwhelming, and harsh. It also became too watery when diluted.

Kirkland’s Signature French Vodka was soft, mild, and citrusy. But when we tasted it chilled and with soda, we also picked up an off-putting vinyl flavor.

We found New Amsterdam Vodka to be too thin, bland, and bitter.

On its own, Reyka Vodka was hot, dry, and bitter. When mixed with soda, it practically disappeared, but it left behind a slight alcohol burn.

Our testers described Chopin Potato Vodka as skunky and garlicky, with notes of burnt plastic.

I fell in love with craft cocktails when I started bartending, at 21, and I have since devoted most of my free time to studying beer, wine, and spirits. I’ve worked behind bars in nearly every type of establishment, ranging from high-volume venues and fine-dining restaurants to one of the biggest whiskey bars in the country. I’ve attended more than three-dozen formal trainings and workshops related to beer, wine, sake, amari, and liquor. And I was a judge on the gin panel at the American Distilling Institute’s International Spirits Competition in April 2023.

To conduct research for this guide, I interviewed food scientists, distillers, spirits writers, and judges. I paged through roughly 60 different spirits and cocktail books, and I analyzed beverage market data, foreign and domestic trade regulations, and distillation processes.

For this guide, I tested vodkas along with two all stars from Wirecutter’s kitchen and appliance teams: senior editor Marguerite Preston and senior staff writer Rachel Wharton. They each brought invaluable insight to the guide.

Though the best vodka out there is ultimately the one you enjoy drinking the most, for this guide we focused our research on brands that are widely available at major retailers across the country. We checked the archives of international spirits competitions, including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition , the Global Spirits Masters , and the SIP Awards , to reference their award-winning vodkas from the past few years. And to get a general idea of which vodkas other experts like most, we read through reviews from Liquor.com , Punch , Food Network , and Imbibe magazine .

To learn more about the history and production of vodka, we spoke with Neil Lotz, the master distiller at ReBru Spirits , a distillery in San Diego that converts recycled beer into vodka. We also spoke with David T. Smith, a seasoned spirits writer , consultant, and judge. And we referenced many works, including Vodka: A Global History by Patricia Herlihy, Raising the Bar: A Bottle-by-Bottle Guide to Mixing Masterful Cocktails at Home by Brett Adams and Jacob Grier, and Vodka Distilled: The Modern Mixologist on Vodka and Vodka Cocktails by Tony Abou-Ganim.

We landed on our list of 15 contenders by applying a combination of criteria, including price, popularity, availability, and some personal discretion. Because this guide touches only on well-known brands, we also encourage you to try different vodkas from your local distilleries until you find one you’re happy supporting.

During the testing process, we wrestled with how to best qualify a “good” vodka. Everyone has different preferences for flavor, body, and practical application, so we judged each vodka by preparing and serving it in a variety of ways. To design and structure a comprehensive tasting plan, we also consulted food scientist Kantha Shelke , as well as authors Dave Arnold and David T. Smith . When tasting each vodka, we considered the following properties (note that this is not an exhaustive list of our assessments):

• Aroma: Nobody wants to tip a glass toward their face and smell something abrasive. A great vodka should express pleasant or neutral scents—and it should ideally leave out the quintessential rubbing-alcohol smell found in lousy vodkas.
• Heat: Some people like the burning sensation of alcohol, but we ruled out the vodkas that were overly harsh on the nose or palate at any stage.
• Texture and viscosity: We evaluated how each vodka felt on the tongue and throat, and we noted whether it was creamy, oily, thin, or viscous in texture. We also tasted each spirit at different temperatures and in various recipes to see whether changes occurred in a vodka’s body when it was diluted.
• Flavor intensity and complexity: A good vodka will, of course, have good flavor—or, for some people, no flavor at all. We ruled out any vodka that tasted plasticky, antiseptic, or downright off. We favored those that had either prominent or neutral flavor notes, as long as they didn’t thin out too much when diluted.
• Versatility: To analyze how our picks adapted to the many ways vodka is consumed, we tested each one in a diverse set of recipes. Not all of our picks will work perfectly in every single cocktail, but we carefully made our selection to accommodate a wide range of preferences.

For our initial round of testing, we tasted all 15 vodkas with the brands concealed. We tried each of them on their own at room temperature as well as mixed with club soda, to draw out subtle flavors and aromas. Carbonation and soda water help carry aromas to the nose; they also bring out more-complex flavors by diluting the alcohol, which food-science experts and authors Kantha Shelke and Dave Arnold both confirmed. And we chilled samples of each vodka in the freezer, to taste for any changes in character or texture. We then poured each room-temperature vodka over ice to see how it held up to dilution, and we ruled out any brands we disliked.

After eliminating the vodkas we liked least, we repeated the same testing steps using our finalists. Then we finished by tasting each one mixed as a vodka soda garnished with a lemon wedge. From there, we kept the vodkas that did a good job of maintaining their composition and flavor; those that basically turned into ice water with a hint of ethanol were dismissed.

We then mixed the most promising contenders into vodka sours and martinis, to observe any complementary or conflicting flavors, as well as structural changes caused by stirring and shaking. After we prepared the martini, we divided it into two glasses—one garnished with an olive and one with a lemon twist. While writing this guide, I tasted our final picks again and again over the course of months, and I sampled them in additional cocktails, including a Bloody Mary and a Moscow mule.

We used the following ratios to make classic vodka sodas, vodka sours, and martinis:

• Vodka soda: 2 ounces vodka, topped with 4 ounces Fever Tree club soda
• Vodka sour: 1½ ounces vodka, ¾ ounce lemon juice, ¾ ounce simple syrup
• Martini: 2½ ounces vodka, ½ ounce Dolin dry vermouth—stirred, not shaken

There’s no good way to know whether you’ll love a vodka before you try it, since you can’t realistically judge a bottle’s quality based solely on its price, base material, or labeling. And unfortunately, most buzzwords found on labels are purely marketing devices that don’t signify quality.

For example, many brands advertise the number of times their vodka has been distilled. Yet the distillers we interviewed, as well as other published works we referenced , all corroborated that the stated number of distillations on a bottle is inaccurate and uninformative . A higher or lower number of distillations does not correlate to a higher or lower quality. That’s because that number doesn’t account for all of the other variables in the distilling process that can differ from one distillery to another—variables such as included additives, the quality of the feedstock, or the type of stills used.

We also learned—in our research as well as firsthand—that there’s no appreciable difference between top- and bottom-shelf vodkas, aside from packaging. Whereas other spirits, such as whiskey, might cost more because of factors like age, volume loss , scarcity, or source materials, neutral vodka is theoretically inexpensive, unfussy, and quick to produce.

This isn’t to say that vodka can’t use an expensive base material or that it can’t express terroir or character from its raw ingredients. Most people think of vodka as coming from raw materials like potatoes and grain, but it can be produced from nearly any edible ingredient under the sun, such as milk , fruit , rice , and even air . Someone with an expert palate may be able to appreciate the subtle characteristics that come from different base ingredients. But materials alone won’t indicate quality—there are too many other factors in production that influence the texture, flavor, and smoothness of the final product.

Of our picks, Smirnoff, Tito’s, and Kirkland Signature American Vodka are labeled gluten-free on the bottle. But most distilled alcohol is gluten-free by nature. And it’s deemed safe for people with celiac disease , regardless of the base ingredient, because distillation removes gluten proteins from the final product. Gluten proteins are heavy and not volatile, so they sink to the bottom of the still, rather than vaporizing and siphoning off with the rest of the alcohol.

The exception to this is in the uncommon instance where gluten is added post-distillation, such as in some flavored spirits or those finished in beer barrels. But unflavored vodka is unaged and neutral by law , so it shouldn’t contain any gluten additives post-distillation.

Although the TTB , which regulates distilled spirits, stipulates that gluten-free labels can be placed only on products containing less than 20 ppm of gluten, there is currently no federally overseen process for obtaining the “certified” gluten-free seal. If you see this certification label on food or beverage packaging, it’s likely from a third-party company, such as NSF or BRCGS .

In short, Beyond Celiac , the National Celiac Association , and the Celiac Disease Foundation all affirm that distilled liquor is free of gluten and therefore safe for consumption by people with celiac disease. But, as always, you should first check with your health-care provider regarding any safety concerns.

This article was edited by Marguerite Preston and Marilyn Ong.

David T. Smith, spirits writer, consultant, and judge , Zoom interview , February 27, 2023

Kantha Shelke, author, food scientist, and founder of Corvus Blue , email interview , February 19, 2023

Dave Arnold, author, founder of Booker and Dax, and founder of The Museum of Food and Drink , email interview , February 17, 2023

Kerin Sovern, director of operations at ReBru Spirits , in-person interview , February 16, 2023

Neil Lotz, master distiller at ReBru Spirits , in-person interview , February 23, 2023

Meet your guide

Haley Perry

Haley Perry is an associate staff writer at Wirecutter covering video games and technology. She used to review video games full-time, and she’s also a big fan of mezcal. If you get enough in her, she may just admit that she still plays The Sims ... a lot.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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First refuelling for Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

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The FNPP includes two KLT-40S reactor units. In such reactors, nuclear fuel is not replaced in the same way as in standard NPPs – partial replacement of fuel once every 12-18 months. Instead, once every few years the entire reactor core is replaced with and a full load of fresh fuel.

The KLT-40S reactor cores have a number of advantages compared with standard NPPs. For the first time, a cassette core was used, which made it possible to increase the fuel cycle to 3-3.5 years before refuelling, and also reduce by one and a half times the fuel component in the cost of the electricity produced. The operating experience of the FNPP provided the basis for the design of the new series of nuclear icebreaker reactors (series 22220). Currently, three such icebreakers have been launched.

The Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and put into commercial operation in May 2020.

Electricity generation from the FNPP at the end of 2023 amounted to 194 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 people. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000. The FNPP solved two problems. Firstly, it replaced the retiring capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating since 1974, as well as the Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant, which is more than 70 years old. It also supplies power to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka. In September, a 490 km 110 kilovolt power transmission line was put into operation connecting Pevek and Bilibino.

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