Historic Polish vodka distillery up for auction
A rare opportunity to own one of Poland’s oldest distilleries has emerged, as the home of rye vodka brand Starka is being offered to bidders through a court-approved tender process.
Located in the port city of Szczecin in northwestern Poland, the distillery sits on a site that is more than 180 years old. Today, the site combines updated capabilities with historic infrastructure and boasts a building that is fully restored, but the production line will need refurbishing.
The sale of the distillery via auction will include the brand, intellectual property, production facilities, and ageing inventory – effectively a turnkey platform ready for global expansion.
Starka Distillery spokesperson David Lesperance said: “Opportunities of this calibre come to market perhaps once in a generation. You cannot recreate 35-year-old inventory, you cannot manufacture authenticity, and you cannot replicate this level of provenance through marketing – to have this genuine global white space opportunity is extraordinarily uncommon. What we are looking for is not simply investors, but custodians.”
The unique vodka-whisky hybrid
Unlike conventional clear vodkas, Starka is an amber-hued, oak-aged rye spirit, occupying a unique space between vodka and whisky.
Starka’s distinct production process, which historically involves rye distillate, botanical infusions like apple or linden leaves, and extended oak maturation, creates a flavour that differs markedly from both vodka and whisky, positioning it as a bridge between categories at a time when consumers are increasingly exploring creative and unconventional spirits.
Produced using a centuries-old recipe, it is matured in oak barrels for anywhere between 10 to more than 50 years, resulting in a complex flavour profile defined by earthy richness, subtle fruit notes, and layered wood character.
A turnkey business with tourism potential
In addition to production, the property offers considerable development potential, with portions of the site suitable for commercial or residential use, which could open the door to distillery tourism – an increasingly popular segment in the global spirits market.
Connectivity is another advantage of the distillery’s location, as the site lies just 260 metres from a station on a new high-speed rail line linking Szczecin with Berlin, Warsaw, and other major European cities, enhancing its potential as both a production hub and visitor destination. Both the site and its location position Starka as a potential gold mine with untapped international potential.
Heritage
What truly sets SFW Starka apart is its authenticity. Founded in 1863, the distillery has survived multiple political and economic eras, from imperial ownership to state control and eventual privatisation.
While many modern brands attempt to create a sense of heritage through marketing, this distillery offers genuine history, along with proprietary trademarks and significant reserves of ageing stock, which not only provide immediate commercial opportunities but also create a substantial barrier to entry for potential competitors.
Liquid assets
Among its most valuable assets are its extensive stocks ageing in its underground cellars. These include more than 50,000 litres of spirit aged over 33 years, as well as rare casks dating back to 1947.
This equates to approximately one million 700ml bottles of 40% ABV aged Starka, ranging from 20 to 75 years old, all of which continue to age in the brand’s deep cellars and are available to bottle and sell now.
Such long-aged inventory is exceptionally difficult to replicate, giving the business a unique advantage in a category where time is a critical factor. Most notable among the inventory of ageing stock is the ‘legendary’ Barrel 45, containing ageing Starka that is more than 60 years old and was last valued at more than £25 million (US$34m/€29.1m).
As the global spirits market increasingly values authenticity, provenance, and aged stock, opportunities like SFW Starka are exceptionally rare, and for the right buyer, this could be the moment to revive and reintroduce one of Europe’s most storied spirits to a new generation of consumers.
Interested parties have until 1 June 2026 to submit bids, with a potential auction scheduled for 12 June.
To read more on this opportunity, visit www.starkavodka.co, or to receive more information about the sale, contact David Lesperance [email protected], or Michel Lemoine de Martigny [email protected].
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