Rodnik

Rodnik vodka is the most expensive Russian vodka in the world. Imported and sold exclusively, it is available in the United States for $500 per bottle. Handcrafted, distilled and bottled in Samara using Russian winter wheat, water, and birchwood filtration, according to what is said to be a 15th century formula. The distillation of vodka was established in Moscovia between 1410 and 1470. Russia was the first country to establish the production of vodka and introduce a state vodka monopoly. In 1474 Rosspiritprom, a Russian agency was established to guard the recipe for vodka. Vodka comes from the root Russian work Voda, meaning water. Vodka is 40% pure alcohol and 60% water. The Russian state reserved the right to produce and trade vodka and guarantee the quality. The Rodnik Vodka factory established in 1895 produces this proprietary recipe and was the official exporter of "Genuine Russian Vodka" under the brand name Stolychnaya. Rodnik exported all of the "Official" vodka for barter with Pepsi Cola company starting in 1966.

The distillery itself was established in 1895, while Rodnik now produce 40 million bottles of vodka per year.