Moskovskaya special vodka (Russian: Московская особая водка; English: Moscow special vodka) or simply Moskovskaya vodka is an early Russian brand of vodka introduced in 1894 by the Russian state vodka monopoly. Its production was stopped (along with other strong spirits) with the introduction of the World War I prohibition in Russia. The brand was restored in 1925 in the Soviet Union.[1]
Moskovskaya has been recognized by the green color of its label throughout its history.[2]
Currently its trademark is held in Russia by Soyuzplodoimport and, along with a number of other Soviet legacy vodka brands has been a matter of various legal battles.[3] In particular, it is contested by the SPI Group.[4]
Moskovskaya is a brand recognized in Germany and some other countries and produced in Russia and in Latvia by the company SPI Group represented in Germany by Simex GmbH.[5] Subbrands known in Germany include:
- Moskovskaya osobaya vodka
- Moskovskaya Cristall (after the Moscow Distillery Cristall)
- Moskovskaya Pertsovka (after Pertsovka, aromatized with pepper)
- Moskovskaya Zitrovka (with lemon)
- Moskovskaya Zubrovka (after Zubrovka)
- ^ Ermochkine, Nicholas; Iglikowski, Peter (2003). 40 Degrees East: An Anatomy of Vodka. p. 123. ISBN 1-59033-594-5.
- ^ "History of Vodka Labels". Society of Russia (in Russian). 31 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
- ^ "Stolichnaya ban spreads to Germany". Food Navigator. 21 October 2002.
- ^ "Moskovskaya of the SPI Group". SPI Group. Archived from the original on 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
- ^ Simex's Moskovskaya brand website