Kizlyarka

Kizlyarka originates from the ancient Dagestani town of Kizlyar, founded by Persian merchants at a crossing on the Terek River in the Caucasus. When Russian troops established an outpost there in the 16th century to guard the trading route, they encountered a distinctive local spirit made from grape pomace—a tradition brought by French settlers in 1657. Unlike conventional vodkas made from grain, Kizlyarka draws its character from local grape varieties and Caucasian mountain oak. The drink gained literary fame through Alexandre Dumas, who praised its quality during an 1858 visit, and through Nikolai Leskov's story 'Lefty.' Peter the Great himself admired Kizlyar's products, reportedly saying the drink was so compelling one wanted another glass after each sip. The Kizlyar Brandy Factory, established in 1885 by winemaker David Saradzhev, unified several distilleries and became one of Russia's most respected producers of strong spirits, a position it maintains today.

Distilled from local grape pomace in traditional copper stills. Matured in Caucasian mountain oak barrels—primarily rock oak and petiolate oak species—for six months to several years. The oak imparts characteristic vanilla undertones and contributes to the spirit's mild, balanced flavor profile. Water sourced from local Caucasian springs.