Rodionov & Sons
Polugar is not just the brand of a grain-based distillate but a journey to discover the origins of Russian vodka. It was founded by Boris Rodionov, a well-known vodka writer and historian in Russia, after discovering and reconstructing what was produced and consumed before the Tsar's law of 1895, which established the state monopoly on alcoholic beverages and imposed distillation with column stills, marking the birth of modern vodka. At that time, the discontinuous copper stills widespread among the population were destroyed, and traditional grain distillation was prohibited. This ban still exists today, which is why the production of Polugar takes place in Poland, where a traditional private distillery named Rodionov & Sons has been historically reconstructed, restoring an ancient production reality that had been dormant for over a century in the heart of a forest.
The Polugar from Rodionov & Sons is the ancient traditional Russian distillate, consumed for centuries by both the people and the aristocracy until 1895. Its name means "burnt at the half" and derives from the ancient practice of setting fire to the distillate to test its quality and alcohol concentration. Due to its very distinctive taste that can be likened to rye bread, quite different from the odorless and tasteless profile of modern vodkas, it is also called "bread wine", that is, "wine of bread".
The production of the Rodionov & Sons distillery is based on recipes and techniques dating back 250 years. The rye malt undergoes triple distillation with traditional discontinuous stills and pure spring water. Aging in oak or birch barrels and filtration with white charcoal and egg yolk before bottling crowns this ancient production process. The result is a rich and complex distillate of great value, which can be compared to some Scottish whiskies but represents the most authentic and traditional soul of Russia.
Polugar is not just the brand of a grain-based distillate but a journey to discover the origins of Russian vodka. It was founded by Boris Rodionov, a well-known vodka writer and historian in Russia, after discovering and reconstructing what was produced and consumed before the Tsar's law of 1895, which established the state monopoly on alcoholic beverages and imposed distillation with column stills, marking the birth of modern vodka. At that time, the discontinuous copper stills widespread among the population were destroyed, and traditional grain distillation was prohibited. This ban still exists today, which is why the production of Polugar takes place in Poland, where a traditional private distillery named Rodionov & Sons has been historically reconstructed, restoring an ancient production reality that had been dormant for over a century in the heart of a forest.
The Polugar from Rodionov & Sons is the ancient traditional Russian distillate, consumed for centuries by both the people and the aristocracy until 1895. Its name means "burnt at the half" and derives from the ancient practice of setting fire to the distillate to test its quality and alcohol concentration. Due to its very distinctive taste that can be likened to rye bread, quite different from the odorless and tasteless profile of modern vodkas, it is also called "bread wine", that is, "wine of bread".
The production of the Rodionov & Sons distillery is based on recipes and techniques dating back 250 years. The rye malt undergoes triple distillation with traditional discontinuous stills and pure spring water. Aging in oak or birch barrels and filtration with white charcoal and egg yolk before bottling crowns this ancient production process. The result is a rich and complex distillate of great value, which can be compared to some Scottish whiskies but represents the most authentic and traditional soul of Russia.
