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Distillation

RYE VODKA DISTILLED IN A CHARENTAIS STILL

Recreating an authentic 18th-century Russian-style vodka was no small feat. For Pierre Solignac, the journey was driven by a singular passion: to revive forgotten traditional vodka recipes. Several essential elements had to align—but none more important than the choice of grain. Rather than the commonly used wheat, Solignac chose rye: a more robust, expressive cereal long associated with the traditional Russian vodka once known as “bread wine.”

Equally vital was the method of distillation. While modern Russian vodkas are typically produced in column stills—favoured for their efficiency and continuous operation—this task demanded something more evocative and hands-on. To achieve the depth and complexity of historic vodka, Pierre selected the Charentais still: a copper pot still traditionally used to distill premium cognac and fine whisky. Its slower, artisanal process in small batches allows for super quality and the preservation of delicate aromas.

This pursuit naturally led him to Cognac, a region revered for its centuries-old distillation know-how and technology. There, in the heart of French spirit-making tradition, Maison Solignac brings together rye’s rustic elegance and the gentle mastery of the Charentais still—resulting in a vodka of unmistakable authenticity and character.

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