Nikolai (vodka)

Nikolai is a brand of vodka on the market in the United States. The brand was originally launched and developed by Seagram, and has existed since at least 1963.[1][2] The Nikolai brand is currently owned and produced by the Sazerac Company, which purchased the brand rights from Seagram in 1989 (along with 16 other product lines).[3] The sale was preceded by an announcement in late 1988 by Seagram that it had decided to sell the brand.[4]

The Nikolai brand is available in 80, 90, and 100 proof bottlings. It's bottled in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The Nikolai brand has been marketed primarily as a value-oriented brand, advertised as being priced very reasonably while tasting like more expensive vodka.[1][2] The brand web site says that the brand is produced using a unique proprietary distillation technique and a special recipe to yield low congener vodka, and that the Sazerac Company has been faithfully adhering to Seagram's original formula for its production process.[5] The Sazerac Company classifies its vodka brand offerings into three categories: "super premium", "premium", and "standard". Nikolai is classified in the "standard" brand category.[6]

Spirit reviewer Bob Emmons has described Nikolai 80 proof as having "few flavors other than alcohol and a light burn".[7]


References
  1. Advertisement, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 13, 1963.
  2. Advertisement, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dec 21, 1966.
  3. "COMPANY NEWS; Seagram to Sell Rights to 17 Brands", The New York Times, Mar. 29, 1989.
  4. Alison Leigh Cowan, "Seagram Will Pare U.S. Brands", Nov. 29, 1988.
  5. Great Vodka - Nikolai - Nikolai vodka brand official webpage.
  6. Sazerac Company vodka brands web page
  7. Bob Emmons, The Book of Gins and Vodkas, Open Court Publishing, 1999.


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