White magic of Russia: introductory vodka-tasting

Legendary liquor, “extremely clear and smooth”, a vodka for the Russians is something more than a drink... As a whiskey in Scotland, vodka has become an integral part of national mentality: the Russians rub vodka on children's chest to relieve fever, it is a glass of vodka and a slice of bread that are put on a dead man during the funeral.

Our tasting takes place in a small cozy restaurant in the historic center of St Petersburg. You will be offered five types of vodka to reveal full spectrum of its taste and production technology:
— 2 classical vodkas prepared according to present-day technology: one from Russia, one from Ukraine or Belarus
— vodka prepared according to a historic recipe described in Russian literary classics
— Armenian vodka distilled from mulberry or carnelian cherry flavoured vodka

Vodka is paired with a gastronomic accompaniment in the form of Russian dumplings from Siberia (pel'meni). They come in a vast variety of fillings: from elk to vegetarian. Our tasting has nothing to do with getting loaded up with cheap stuff but, on the contrary, is focused on the following highly intellectual issues:

What a vodka is made of and in what way?
What is behind vodka label and how to read it?
Why is there no Russia-produced vodkas among the best selling Western brands?
When, why, with whom and with what is vodka drunk in Russia?

The length of the vodka-tasting is about 1.5 hours.
Price is 2.500 roubles per person, 2 people minimum.
(Prices for bigger groups are discussed).
5 shots (40 g) of vodka, a main dish, all shared by the two + a Russian story-teller are all included in the price.

Tasting vodka can help you to open Russia easier and quicker than “protocol” visit to the Hermitage.