Sustainability and circular economy
In the village of Koskenkorva, sustainability is a way of life. First of all, it’s worth mentioning that the recycling and reutilization rate of the Koskenkorva plant is 99,9%. However, that is not the only thing we are focusing on. All in all, Koskenkorva works in a sustainable manner but has a special focus on what is called circular economy.
In addition to grain spirit, the Koskenkorva plant produces starch and raw material for animal feed. Even the carbon dioxide generated in the fermentation process is collected and used in greenhouse cultivation. Koskenkorva also has its own bioenergy power plant. It uses barley husk as fuel and produces steam that is then used in distillation. The ashes are used in the nearby barley fields as a fertilizer. And thanks to the renewable fuel, Koskenkorva has been able to decrease its carbon dioxide emissions remarkably.
For this sustainability work Altia and our distillery, the Koskenkorva plant, were awarded the Green Company of the Year award in the 2018 Drinks Business Green Awards.
Distilled from the northernmost barley in the world
Koskenkorva is made of the northernmost barley in the world. Barley provides the best harvest in the arctic climate of the village. The summer days are so long that for almost a month the sun doesn’t set at all and all that abundant light enhances the enzymatic properties of the barley. Most of Koskenkorva’s barley is sourced locally within a 200 km radius of the Koskenkorva village.
We use pure Finnish spring water
The water in Finland is known of its exceptional quality. One of the main reasons our vodka tastes so smooth is the 100% unfiltered and unprocessed pure spring water from Rajamäki.
Water from rain and melting snow flows through the ridges of Salpausselkä and its sandy soil cleans the water naturally. The effect of the ground and the lack of chemical treatment give the water a fresh taste and clear color. To keep the exceptional water quality, Altia protects the water abstraction areas by owning land, limiting construction and establishing environmental protection in the area.
State-of-the-art distillation
The Koskenkorva distillery is located in the village of Koskenkorva in Southern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The Koskenkorva distillery has a state-of-the-art distillation process that uses a highly developed producing technique that allows for an exceptional material efficiency. The process can use 100% of the barley grain and the production runs nonstop for 350 days a year.
Dedicated local farmers
Pasi, Matti, Jaakko and Maija are among the almost 1500 farmers contributing to the making of Koskenkorva vodka. In the village of Koskenkorva, the craft of cultivating barley has been passed on from generation to generation. Altia encourages the local farmers to maximize the efficiency of farming, to use nutrients sensibly and to monitor the barley during the growth season to ensure its viability.
Koskenkorva's Recent Awards
THE VODKA MASTERS 2018
PREMIUM: Koskenkorva Vodka Original – Silver
ULTRA PREMIUM: Koskenkorva Foraged Vodka – Silver
SCANDINAVIA: Koskenkorva Vodka Original – Gold
FLAVORED/INFUSED VODKA:
Koskenkorva Sauna Barrel – Master
Koskekorva Foraged Vodka – Gold
Koskenkorva Blueberry Juniper – Silver
Koskenkorva Lemon Lime Yarrow – Silver
VODKA BASED SPIRIT DRINK: Koskenkorva Village Tea – Silver
THE LIQUEUR MASTERS 2018
CONFECTIONARY: Koskenkorva Salmiakki – Master
TRADITIONAL: Koskenkorva Minttu – Gold
FRUIT:
Koskenkorva Oaky Cranberry – Silver
Koskenkorva Forest Berries – Silver
THE DRINKS BUSINESS GREEN AWARDS 2018
Altia & Koskenkorva distillery – Green Company of the Year
INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2018
VODKA FLAVORED PREMIUM:
Koskenkorva Vodka Sauna Barrel – Gold
Koskenkorva Vodka Lemon Lime Yarrow – Silver
VODKA BARLEY PREMIUM: Koskenkorva Vodka Original – Silver
VODKA FLAVORED SUPER PREMIUM: Koskenkorva Foraged Vodka – Bronze
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION 2018
Koskenkorva Vodka Original – Gold
