About Beluga Vodka
While most vodkas are cheap, neutral in flavor, and distilled to near tastelessness for easy mixing, one in a hundred stands out as a timeless, high class spirit intended for collectors and connoisseurs. Beluga Vodka is one of these.
Beluga’s Siberian vodka was first released in 2002 by the Mariinsk Distillery in Russia. Its flagship vodka, Noble, as well as its other releases are the product of over one hundred years of vodka tradition at Mariinsk in Siberia, and they’re crafted with the experience of several master distillers.
The Mariinsk Distillery, named after the Siberian town, is notable for several reasons. First of all, the distillery is home to several distillers with untold vodka-making experience, an expertise that’s a truly rare find in the world. On top of the master distillers’ craftsmanship available at Mariinsk, the distillery is home to Siberian soft water wells that produce some of the purest water in the world. And because water makes up over 60% of most vodka, this factor is pivotal to the flavor of Beluga.
In the original release of Beluga Noble, only 38 bottles were placed for sale making Beluga an instantly aspirational spirit. The vodka is intended for true aristocrats: the elites of Russian and world society, and since each release is so limited it is inherently designed for the highest of top shelf collections.
How Beluga Vodka is Made
Beluga isn’t just set apart by the expertise that goes into it. It’s also one of the few malt vodkas in the world that’s left to rest for a period before bottling, producing an exceptionally flavorful yet light, smooth palate.
Russian wheat, the grain of choice for Beluga thanks to its many-layered flavor, is put through an entirely natural sprouting and fermentation process, creating a malt mash that’s then distilled, filtered, and mixed with Siberian well water and special ingredients, depending on the variety.
While the aim of most vodka is to become flavorless, undergoing as many distillations and filtrations as possible to this aim, Beluga has a vastly different approach. Their vodka is distilled once, preserving all the flavor of the malt mash. It’s then filtered three times through charcoal for purity of palate and mixed with softened water from Siberian wells for a delicate, smooth mouth feel.
Where to Buy Beluga Vodka
Beluga is a niche vodka, intended for connoisseurs, collectors, and aficionados. Unlike mass produced vodka, Beluga isn’t readily available at most retailers. Instead, it’s reserved for online specialty stores and liquor stores that have a large vodka selection that includes super-premium vodkas. It would be rare to find Beluga at Costco, Walmart, or other big box retailers.
Beluga Vodka Prices
| Item | Alcohol (ABV) | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat Malt Vodka | |||
| Beluga Noble | 40% (80 proof) | 50ml | $2.40 |
| 375ml | $16.00 | ||
| 750ml | $29.00 | ||
| 1L | $44.00 | ||
| 1.75L | $58.00 | ||
| Beluga Celebration | 40% (80 proof) | 750 ml | $40.00 |
| Beluga Transatlantic Racing | 40% (80 proof) | 50ml | 3.00 |
| 375ml | $19.00 | ||
| 750ml | $31.00 | ||
| 1L | $47.00 | ||
| 1.75L | $63.00 | ||
| Beluga Allure | 40% (80 proof) | 750 ml | $60.00 |
| Beluga Gold Line | 40% (80 proof) | 750 ml | $95.00 |
| Beluga Epicure by Lalique | 40% (80 proof) | 750 ml | $6,000 |
| Beluga Hunting Bitters | |||
| Beluga Hunting Herbal | 38% (76 proof) | 500 ml | $26.00 |
| Beluga Hunting Berry | 38% (76 proof) | 500 ml | $26.00 |
Beluga Vodka Buying Guide
Beluga consists of a wide range of price points, but all the vodkas are produced with the same attention to quality and masterful craftsmanship. Here’s a basic breakdown of Beluga’s offerings to help you make an informed choice.
Beluga Noble is Beluga’s flagship bottling. It’s thrice filtered and the special ingredients are sugar, honey, oatmeal infusion, milk thistle extract, and vanillin. Beluga’s most affordable vodka, this one is available in all bottle sizes. It rests for 30 days before bottling.
This bottling was created in celebration of the distillery’s 115-year anniversary. It’s Beluga Noble in a celebratory, collectible bottle.
This Beluga vodka celebrates Russia’s award winning national transatlantic yacht racing team with a vodka that’s available in all sizes and contains sugar, malted barley extract, and wild strawberry extract. It rests 45 days before bottling.
Beluga Allure, on the other hand, is a nod to the equestrian accomplishments of Russia. It has special ingredients like fig and maple and rests for 60 days.
Gold line is a step up from other bottlings, having been filtered five times. It’s only available in 750 ml bottles and contains sugar, rice, and golden root extract. The resting period is 90 days.
This super-limited, ultra-premium vodka comes in a crystal decanter designed by renown crystal-smith Lalique. The decanter itself fetches a premium penny in resale, as well.
The Best Way(s) to Drink Beluga
Beluga’s flavor profile means it adds a certain complexity to the cocktails it encounters. Here are some of the best Beluga recipes and single mixers.
Beluga Cocktails
1) Beluga 1900
- Beluga Vodka
- Sugar syrup
- Ruby Porto
- Orange twist
- Lemon
Pour 1.5 oz of Beluga into a shaker. Add .5 oz sugar syrup. Squeeze the juice out of 1/2 lemon. Add ice into the shaker. Shake the cocktail in the shaker with ice. Filter the cocktail into a glass. Carefully pour 2 oz Ruby Porto on top. Decorate with an orange twist.
2) Beluga Mary
- Beluga Vodka
- Altai honey
- Tomato juice
- Lemon & Grapefruit
- Celery stalk
- Celery salt & ground pepper
- Green olive
- Cherry tomato
- Black olives
- Corn
Mash a celery stalk in a shaker. Squeeze the juice out of 1/2 lemon and of 1/2 grapefruit. Add celery salt and freshly ground pepper. Pour 1.5 oz of Beluga. Add .5 oz of Altai honey. Add ice. Pour 3 oz of a thick tomato juice. Prepare the cocktail by pouring it several times from one shaker part into the other. Pour the cocktail into a highball glass on ice . Decorate with a celery stalk, a green olive, a cherry tomato, black olives, and some corn.
3) Beluga Collins
- Beluga Vodka
- Natural elderberry syrup
- Lemon juice
- Sprig of rosemary
- Soda
Pour 1.5 oz of Beluga into a highball glass. Pour .5 oz of natural elderberry syrup. Add .5 oz of lemon juice. Add ice. Fill up with soda and stir. Decorate with a sprig of rosemary.
4) Beluga Flip
- Beluga Vodka
- Maple syrup
- Egg yolk
- Mascarpone cheese
- Cocoa powder
- Ice
Pour 1.5 oz of Beluga into a shaker. Add 3/2 oz of maple syrup. Add 1 egg yolk. Add .5 oz Mascarpone cheese. Add into the shaker some ice. Shake with ice. Filter through a strainer into a chilled glass. Sprinkle it with cocoa powder for garnish.
5 Best Things to Mix with Beluga
- Soda Water: For any of Beluga’s vodkas, but especially the more premium selections, try soda water to enhance the malt flavor and added special ingredients without the addition of any unnecessary flavors.
- Tonic: Especially for Beluga’s more affordable ranges, tonic is a great way to add a savory flavor without overwhelming the malt vodka.
- Water: If you aren’t a fan of the carbonation, try this alternative that’s usually reserved for dark malt liquors like Bourbon for an offbeat combination.
- Ginger Beer: The Moscow Mule is Russia’s claim to cocktail fame, so try a simple Beluga and ginger beer for a simpler take on the mixture.
- Sour: Sour meshes exceptionally well with Beluga Noble’s oatmeal, milk thistle, and vanillin flavors.
FAQs
Alternatives to Beluga
- Green Mark Vodka: $8- Green Mark is a nod to the “green mark” placed on vodkas that have the Russian government’s seal of approval.
- Moskovskaya Vodka: $10- This recipe and production practice dates back to the 1400’s. It’s stout yet pure, a great introduction to Russian spirits.
- Russian Standard Vodka: $17- Russian Standard aims to deliver the very taste of Russia: pure, hardy, and impactful. Try this if you aren’t ready to commit to Beluga’s price tag but want to experience a Russian vodka.
- Jewel of Russia Ultra Black Vodka: $60- This is one of Russia’s best vodkas, and maybe even one of the best on the planet.
- Finist Russian Vodka: $130- This vodka is distilled from all natural ingredients using a special “Silverhorn” technology to produce something so pure, so flavorful you’ll wonder if it’s really vodka.