OREANDA-NEWS. Riga Black® Vodka, the latest of vodka from JSC “Latvijas balzams” (LB), has been awarded а gold medal in the strong alcoholic beverages group in the international competition “The New York World Wine and Spirits Competition”. This is the third international award received by Riga Black® Vodka, a true chef-d'oeuvre of LB's masters.

“The New York World Wine and Spirits Competition” is one of the most prestigious competitions on the Eastern Coast of the USA, and is being held for 12 years now. The jury consists of professionals from bars, clubs, and restaurants, retailers and importers of beverages, sommeliers, and other experts.

Several of LB's produced beverages, including the latest LB vodka, have been highly appreciated also in other international exhibitions this year - “International Wines&Spirits Competition” (IWSC) in London and “Los Angeles International Spirits Competition 2013” in Los Angeles, where Riga Black® Vodka has received bronze medals.

“It is brave to enter new product in the leading international competitions for vodkas or strong alcoholic beverages where the competition is really fierce. Therefore, it is even greater honour to receive such a high appraisal and recognition of our mastery. And, of course, it adds to our product status in foreign markets, as well as serves as prove for global trends and solutions in particular categories,” comments Valters Kaze, Commercial Director of JSC “Latvijas balzams”, on the experience in international competitions.

Over eight months this year, 59.9 thousand litres of Riga Black® Vodka were exported. It is currently exported to the United Kingdom, Israel, Chine, Switzerland, and Latvian Duty-free zone. According to the data of “SPI Distribution Latvia”, distributer of Riga Black® Vodka, 70.5 thousand litres of vodka were realised in the local market over 6 months.

Production of Riga Black® Vodka was started in last December. The brand initiated the newly created quality mark “House of Riga Black Balsam”, symbolising the experience of Riga Black Balsam beverage masters. The high quality and clear taste of vodka is guaranteed by seven-stage filtering process, including the unique filtering technology with black charcoal and silver ions. This is first time this technology is applied to production of vodka by “Latvijas balzams”.