Kristall

On 24th June 1901 Moscow State Wine Warehouse No 1 (now known as Cristall) opened. The highly advanced industrial complex used the most modern equipment and employed 1,500 people. Despite an enforced ‘dry law’ from 1914 (the building was being used as a military hopsital) production did continue so that medicines could be manufactured (and so that wine could be supplied to diplomats, and the French). It was not until 1924 that spirits over 30% alcohol were allowed to be distilled again. During the Eastern Front (Gret Patriotic War) the premises were used for manufacturing the incediary devices that became known as Molotov Cocktails and was all but burnt down after a bomb strike from German aircraft. In 1953 Stolichnaya was created at the distillery. The distillery name changed to Cristall in 1987.