Vodka from the 16th to the 19th century in Russia
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From the 16th to the 18th century, vodka in Russia could only be sold in taverns that had a permit from the Tsar.
However, as this principle had not proved successful, Tsar Peter the Great finally released vodka production, but had it taxed. Catherine II, in turn, restricted the right of production again, so that only nobles and state enterprises were officially allowed to produce vodka.
Then, in the 19th century, the potato emerged as a raw material and cheaply distilled spirits flooded the Eastern European market. At the end of the 19th century, therefore, the state monopoly for production was reintroduced in Russia
