As the old adage goes, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Alexander Bratslavsky is certainly taking those words to heart as both founder and importer of Pristine, working passionately to deliver premium vodka from his homeland of Ukraine to American consumers.
As a young adult, Bratslavsky served in the army and dreamed of one day emigrating to the United States in pursuit of starting and running his own successful business. In 1989, he took the first step toward that goal, leaving Ukraine with his family in tow. But the American dream proved elusive when they arrived in New York: Daunted by culture shock and a significant language barrier, Bratslavsky put in years of hard work before he could even conceive of what would eventually become Pristine Vodka. He instead began working as a limousine driver, and he was able to realize his dream of making a living and raising a family in the U.S. But he was disappointed in the overpriced and lackluster premium vodkas available on the domestic market compared to the smooth, high-quality vodkas of his homeland, with their distinct minerality.
Through extensive research, Bratslavsky learned that many other consumers were also looking for something new: a vodka of exceptional taste and value. As soon as he was able, he set out to fill that niche and began importing vodka himself; after learning everything he could about crafting it, he eventually combined his experience in the industry with his firsthand knowledge of the fertile lands and pure waters of Ukraine. After organizing a team of agriculturalists and master distillers to create a peerless Eastern European vodka, Bratslavsky continues to oversee all facets of the brand, which aims to embody the simplicity and elegance of the name Pristine. For more information, visit pristinevodka.com
