A cut brandy blending Finnish grain spirit with a small proportion of grape brandy, introduced by the state monopoly Alko in 1932 after prohibition ended. Finns call it Jallu, and it has been the country’s standard cheap brandy ever since.
It is built on distilled spirits, which cannot legally be made without a licence, and it is a state monopoly product with a defined blend.
What goes into it
- neutral grain spirit
- grape brandy, at around a tenth of the blend
- water
- caramel colouring
How it is made
Aged grape brandy is blended into a much larger volume of neutral grain spirit — the traditional ratio is one part in ten — then coloured, diluted to strength and bottled. The category exists because of tax and supply: a little real brandy stretched with neutral spirit was what Alko could afford to sell after prohibition.
How long it takes: blended and bottled; no ageing of its own
How it is eaten
Neat, with coffee, or long with cola.
History
Introduced by the state monopoly Alko in 1932 after prohibition ended, nicknamed Jallu.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jaloviina?
Jaloviina is a wine & spirit from Finland: cut brandy blending grain spirit with grape brandy, a Finnish standard. Introduced by the state monopoly Alko in 1932 after prohibition ended, nicknamed Jallu.
How is Jaloviina made?
Aged grape brandy is blended into a much larger volume of neutral grain spirit — the traditional ratio is one part in ten — then coloured, diluted to strength and bottled. The category exists because of tax and supply: a little real brandy stretched with neutral spirit was what Alko could afford to sell after prohibition. It takes blended and bottled; no ageing of its own.
Can I make Jaloviina at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It is built on distilled spirits, which cannot legally be made without a licence, and it is a state monopoly product with a defined blend.
What goes into Jaloviina?
Neutral grain spirit, grape brandy, at around a tenth of the blend, water, caramel colouring.
How is Jaloviina eaten?
Neat, with coffee, or long with cola.
