A limited-edition vodka created in collaboration with the legendary masters of French crystal, Lalique.
The limited-edition vodka, Beluga Epicure by Lalique, is the result of the close collaboration between Beluga Noble Russian Vodka and legendary French crystal and jewelry maker Lalique. This exquisite product is a manifestation of the values the two iconic brands share.
Beluga Vodka has won worldwide fame because of the spirit’s high quality, created by professionals committed to producing a flawless product. Combining new technology, age-old traditions of craftsmanship and a careful attention to every detail, Beluga is a recognized symbol of luxury and success.
Beluga’s collaboration with Lalique was born from its desire to create the perfect decanter, which would only be worthy of an exquisite spirit.
The limited-edition vodka’s name, Epicure, was chosen to highlight the preciousness of fleeting moments. The Epicure decanter is designed to be a symbol of the present, and a reminder that we should enjoy each moment by drawing inspiration from everything that surrounds us.
The project took shape the minute Beluga brand director Katerina Mechetina met Lalique creative director Marc Larminaux. The pair developed Epicure’s concept and exquisite design over lengthy discussions. In designing the decanter, Marc drew inspiration from Lalique’s heritage and unique production process, as well as Beluga vodka ingredients. Beluga Epicure revisits Lalique’s iconic “Three F” themes, Female, Flora and Fauna, and its sublime vessel, designed in an Art nouveau style features an enigmatic female nude figure surrounded by ears of wheat, a symbol of harvest and fertility.
Artisans at Lalique workshops in Alsace, France produced each decanter by hand, blowing the crystal pieces individually in an iron mold to create its distinctive shape. Master polishers then refined the contrast between the clear and satin-finished crystal, emphasizing its monumentality and vulnerability. The final touch is a unique serial number engraved on the bottom of each decanter.
After leaving the workshops, the decanters are sent to the legendary Mariinsk Distillery in the heart of Siberia, Russia. Located in one of the most environmentally clean and tranquil places on earth, Beluga production facilities there have been producing vodka for over 100 years using secrets and traditions passed down from generation to generation.
Beluga went back into the archives of the distillery to create Epicure’s unique recipe. To make this truly exceptional product, Beluga master distillers used a special malt spirit produced from a select wheat harvest. Using only the purest water drawn from artesian springs in Siberia, a laborious production process and a 100-day resting period, the vodka is a celebration of the mastery of Beluga, and a true testament of the skill of Beluga craftsmen. Only a small portion of the final distillation was collected, ensuring only the finest quality spirit went into each bottle.
With only 1,000 crystal decanters produced, the limited-edition Beluga Epicure by Lalique vodka is a stunning objet d’art dedicated to the brand’s followers, true connoisseurs and passionate collectors. It was first presented in Russia at the closed dinner at the Residence of France followed by presentation on Cosmoscow International Contemporary Artfair. The first decanter was sold off on the 9th of September on the Off White charity auction in frames of Cosmoscow raising money for Naked Heart Foundation for 11,000 euros.
Beluga Epicure by Lalique will be available for purchase in Russia in the end of 2016 and in other markets in 2017, the retail price per piece being approx. 6,000 euros.