Agga Liza is a family-built distillery bringing a centuries-old Siberian tradition into the modern craft spirits world in Loganton, Pennsylvania. Their signature horseradish vodka blends organic ingredients, meticulous handcrafting, and a philosophy centered on joy. In this conversation, distillery manager Akop Galachyan shares with CRAFT SPIRITS magazine how the recipe came to life, why purity matters, and what makes their spirit unlike anything else on the market.
CSM: I’d love for you to tell me a little bit about who you are and why you decided to start a distillery.
Galachyan: We added a little horseradish to vodka one day, it was on the table, and we liked it. Then we discovered an old Siberian recipe from the 1800s. Back then, the king of Russia required every family in Siberia to have over 40 liters for winter. It kept you warm, boosted your immune system, and it was vodka.
We kept digging, found many recipes, and refined our own version. Our vodka includes horseradish, ginger, black pepper, and honey, all organic. Even the honey comes from Amish producers. Everything is handcrafted. We’re small, so every bottle takes time and care. It’s smooth, and honestly, it’s a happy vodka. People feel good when they drink it.
CSM: That’s the kind of spirit I love to hear about. What inspired the flavor combination, the honey, ginger, and spices? Were those part of the old recipe?
Galachyan: It’s a mix of tradition and our own creativity. Most horseradish vodkas use artificial flavoring, but we wanted everything organic. That means more work, cleaning, filtering, making sure nothing settles at the bottom. People who know craft spirits appreciate that, it shows purity.
CSM: Horseradish is a bold ingredient. Did you face challenges balancing the heat and aromatics?
Galachyan: The first sip always bites, but after that, your tongue adjusts and you start tasting the flavors. We tested it ourselves. When you drink too much, you don’t get a bad hangover. You just wake up feeling fine. That’s how you know it’s good vodka.
CSM: Have others tested it too?
Galachyan: Yes, many people, restaurants, companies, customers. Over 90 percent love it. Some don’t, but you can’t please everyone. We were surprised ourselves by how good it turned out. Even friends who only drink whiskey or tequila changed their minds after trying it.
CSM: What’s been your biggest hurdle in getting the product started?
Galachyan: The challenge was making something truly special. Most horseradish vodkas use artificial flavoring. We use natural ingredients, pure grain, and filtered water. Timing and care matter, you have to put love into it. Everything is handcrafted, and that’s what makes people feel good when they drink it.
CSM: Would you say it’s best enjoyed neat or in cocktails?
Galachyan: I drink it straight, no ice, no water. The first sip bites, then it’s smooth like canned fruit. But it also works beautifully in cocktails. Add it to V8 and you’ve got a perfect Bloody Mary. It pairs well with meat, fish, fruit, even sweets. It fits everywhere.
CSM: You mentioned the name “Agga Liza.” What does it mean?
Galachyan: It’s all family names. It wasn’t planned, it just felt right. “Kren” means horseradish in Russian and some European languages, so it fits perfectly.
CSM: And what’s next for Agga Liza?
Galachyan: We’ve experimented with apple, cherry, and mint flavors, but this horseradish vodka is unique. We’re working to expand distribution, it’s tough, but people love it. At our restaurant, customers often start skeptical and end up buying cases. Word of mouth is our best advertisement. When the product speaks for itself, you don’t need to say much.
CSM: That’s the best kind of marketing. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.