Is Drinking Vodka Patriotic?

**wilpuri** · April 30, 2007, 07:27 AM

It's that time of year again when people in Northern Europe lose their wits and go on a drinking and partying frenzy unlike anything else. I'm talking about May Day, of course, when entire nations summon the strength to down copious amounts of alcohol in a primal paganistic ritual, which acts as a release of built up pressure from the long winter and a joyful welcoming of the return of the sun. Of course, the weather is usually cold, rainy and windy - but that doesn't matter. Summer is in our hearts.

Anyway, you could ask what this has to do with the topic. I'll tell you. I was choosing my poisons at the liquor store, and for the first time I was struck by the patriotism and traditionalism Finnish vodka labels radiate. Let's think about some of the names and labels in the case that a quick google turns up diddly on them.

Suomi Viina (lit. Finland Vodka)

Finlandia Vodka - More of a fancy souvenier for tourists.

Leijona Viina (Lion Vodka) - The label carries the lion from the Finnish coat of arms and is in general a very manly looking vodka bottle.

Tasavalta Viina (Republic Vodka) - Very similar in appearance to Suomi Viina, with plenty of Finnish flags everywhere.

Jussiviina - Plays on the traditional Ostrobothnian 'myth', stylized in an Ostrobothnian fashion. You see, where as Finns are often seen as quiet, reserved, serious and stoic, the Ostrobothnians are the most stoic of them all. Ostrobothnia occupies a very special place in the national psyche, as it is the home to many knife-fighting legends and the booze & blades culture of the 19th century, it was the strongest area of support for the Whites in the Finnish civil war and of course it is also the birth place of Finnish proto-fascism.

Pohjan Poika - (Son of the North) What I bought today. Has a very nice arctic ice themed label with a compass pointing north. Clearly a more identitarian approach compared to for example Tasavalta or Suomi, and thus much more fitting for myself.

Then there is of course the most revered Koskenkorva Viina. There is nothing overtly patriotic about the name or the label, but this vodka brand has come to symbolize Finnishness and has mobilized millions when it seemed for a while that it would be sold to *GASP* a Swedish company. The Pro-Koskenkorva Movement came into being.

In light of this evidence, I conclude that drinking vodka is patriotic. As a Finnish patriot, I will assume my duties towards the Fatherland shortly.

**Sidus Preclarum** · April 30, 2007, 07:42 AM

lol
well, have one on me. (I can't drink Vodka anymore

)

**wilpuri** · April 30, 2007, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Sidus Preclarum

lol
well, have one on me. (I can't drink Vodka anymore

)

Why the hell not?

**Sidus Preclarum** · April 30, 2007, 07:54 AM

Dunno. I've always have had a weak stomach as far as alcohol is concerned (and comparatively, a strong brain. Ie, I get sick, but I never act stupid). One night too many ending up wasted on Vodka, now my body will have none of it. As soon as I but get a sip, I have to run to find a place (usually, the balconny of the living room.) to puke whatever is in my stomach at the time (fun thing, puking from the 5th floor, whith balconies on every storey all the way down...). The mere smell is enough to make my stomach turn, the mere sight of a bottle sends shivers down my spine... That's bad, I liked vodka. Now I'm limited to Rhum and Gin, and I even have problem with those. I mostly restrict myself to drinking Ales, now.
Anyway, I'm not single anymore, so I can't really spend whole night puking in the toilets, knees on the floor, head in the bowl, or worse, get to bed with a bucket right by me on the floor...

**wilpuri** · April 30, 2007, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Sidus Preclarum

Dunno. I've always have had a weak stomach as far as alcohol is concerned (and comparatively, a strong brain. Ie, I get sick, but I never act stupid). One night too many ending up wasted on Vodka, now my body will have none of it. As soon as I but get a sip, I have to run to find a place (usually, the balconny of the living room.) to puke whatever is in my stomach at the time (fun thing, puking from the 5th floor, whith balconies on every storey all the way down...). The mere smell is enough to make my stomach turn, the mere sight of a bottle sends shivers down my spine... That's bad, I liked vodka. Now I'm limited to Rhum and Gin, and I even have problem with those. I mostly restrict myself to drinking Ales, now.
Anyway, I'm not single anymore, so I can't really spend whole night puking in the toilets, knees on the floor, head in the bowl, or worse, get to bed with a bucket right by me on the floor...

A sad story. This has happened to me with some overly sweet liquors, but not with vodka.

Anyway, drinking beer is not bad, I do it most of the time. Its just that when you want to get really wasted, drinking beer is a slow way to reach that state. You need something sharp.

**Mythos** · April 30, 2007, 08:20 AM

One more, <hic>for the Motherland<hic>, Comrade<hic>!

**Markas** · April 30, 2007, 08:42 AM

Vodka is one of those drinks that I can drink until dawn and not tottally drunk, thus allowing a less damaging hangover in the morning. Vodka and coke is a staple going-out drink for moi. Whiskey, however, is the devils bile and gets me paralytic after one double.

**Hakkapeliitta** · April 30, 2007, 09:49 AM

Well I'd say for a Finn the most patriotic substance is Koskenkorva Viina aka "Kossu" but I usually go for Suomi Viina. On this day of celebration though I have a fair amount of Koff beer.

Klara Vappen! Vaikuisseoli..

**Spart** · April 30, 2007, 10:13 AM

Then we shall be patriotic together.

I don't really fancy vodka, but I quess this is the right time for exceptions. Anyways, I don't pay for it this time.

**TAG** · April 30, 2007, 02:20 PM

Well im only fimiliar with Finlandia from this list and ill say "Russian Standard">"Finlandia"

**Siblesz** · April 30, 2007, 03:14 PM

I want to be a Finnish patriot too, Wil. Pass me the bottle! *hick*

When will I get to drink a good, Finnish bottle of vodka with you, anyhow? By the gods, I need to get really trashed one of these days. I'm taking myself too seriously lately.

**wilpuri** · May 01, 2007, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Siblesz

I want to be a Finnish patriot too, Wil. Pass me the bottle! *hick*

When will I get to drink a good, Finnish bottle of vodka with you, anyhow? By the gods, I need to get really trashed one of these days. I'm taking myself too seriously lately.

When you make a trip to Finland I'll get the vodka.

Is Finnish vodka distilled in a different way compared to other vodkas?

Yes, Finnish vodka rarely is real vodka.

As the alcohol is industrial ethanol made with continuous distillation, and does not require filtration, it is not a true vodka, and is never called such in Finnish. Instead, it is viina, simply "hard liquor", often used contextually similarly to the word "booze".

**Sosobra** · April 30, 2007, 06:43 PM

Is Finnish vodka distilled in a different way compared to other vodkas?

**NaptownKnight** · April 30, 2007, 07:08 PM

mmmmmm Vodkaaaaaa. You know there is a holiday to a simmilar effect here, but it's called Cinco de Mayo, and of course is a Mexican holiday. But hey all of us non-Mexicans just go out and get drunk, and God knows what we are celebrating.

**Shaba Wangy** · May 01, 2007, 11:04 AM

Its Polish Zubrowka for me, thank you!

**Markas** · May 01, 2007, 11:14 AM

^A polish worker bought me a bottle of that stuff last week. I swear I opened the bottle and the paint started to come off the walls.

**Shaba Wangy** · May 01, 2007, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Markas

^A polish worker bought me a bottle of that stuff last week. I swear I opened the bottle and the paint started to come off the walls.

I know. Its great!

**Skyler** · May 01, 2007, 11:43 AM

I prefer all kinds of Whiskey over Vodka when I am sober but when I am drunk it doesn't matter, sure give me a sip, *slurp*, ah I feel much more Finnish already.