Riga Black^® Vodka, the latest of vodkas 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 Kaže, 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”.

Additional information:

Dana Hasana

Communications Manager, JSC “Latvijas balzams”

Phone: +371 67011711

Mob. phone:+371 26355895

E-mail: dana.hasana@lb.lv

www.lb.lv

About JSC “Latvijas Balzams”

JSC “Latvijas balzams” is a leading producer of alcohol beverages in the Baltics with a history steeped in tradition. Company represents 24%  of Baltics alcoholic beverages market.  Its biggest pride, Riga Black Balsam, is one of the oldest alcohol beverage brands in Europe rooted in 1752. The company has a distillery of strong alcohol beverages and sparkling wines and light alcohol beverages production plant in Riga.

JSC “Latvijas balzams” employs 600 people and is one of the biggest taxpayers in Latvia. JSC “Latvijas balzams” with more than 100 product names is represented in almost all segments of strong and light alcohol beverages, with many market leaders in Latvia. Among the company’s products are such worldwide known brands as “Stolichnaya”, “Moskovskaya”, “Riga Black Balsam” and “Rigas Sparkling Wine”.

JSC “Latvijas balzams” is one of the most significant exporters in Latvia – its products are available in more than 160 countries through SPI Group and in over 30 markets through direct export. The company’s quality management system is certified in accordance with ISO standards and has won hundreds of awards in various international and domestic competitions and has obtained numerous quality certificates. In May 2013 JSC “Latvijas balzams” was awarded a silver medal in the Sustainability Index, improving its overall performance compared to the previous year.