Meet Scott & Amira McCullough of Rosa Vodka

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott & Amira McCullough.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
ROSA VODKA: A SPIRIT IN FULL BLOOM

Rosa Vodka was born from a simple yet radical belief: that vodka could be elevated beyond convention – transformed into something expressive, sensory, and alive.

Nearly three decades ago, Amira McCullough arrived in the United States from Bulgaria carrying a small wooden vial of rose oil. It was more than a keepsake – it was a symbol of heritage, inspiration, and a quiet dream to one day create something lasting from Bulgaria’s most treasured bloom: the Damascena rose.

Together with her husband, filmmaker Scott McCullough, that dream took shape. The couple set out to create something both original and overlooked – a spirit that awakens the senses while honoring authenticity, quality, and restraint. The answer revealed itself in the world’s most storied flower.

At the heart of Rosa Vodka lie European organic Damascena roses, long revered for their aromatic depth and restorative qualities. Blooming for only six fleeting weeks each spring, the roses are harvested at peak freshness to preserve their most vibrant flavors and aromas. Crafted with exceptional-grade non-GMO corn, pristine Cascade Mountain water, and meticulous quadruple filtration, Rosa Vodka reveals itself as something unexpected: a refined, expressive spirit with a quietly botanical character that surprises even devoted gin, tequila, and whisky drinkers.

Rosa Vodka naturally captures the essence of organic roses – no artificial flavoring, no shortcuts – resulting in a spirit that lives confidently between neutrality and flavor. Bottled at full-strength 40% ABV (80 proof), it is subtly savory and remarkably smooth, offering floral nuance without sweetness or excess. Like rose in fine cuisine, Rosa Vodka enhances rather than overwhelms.

This devotion to legitimacy and craft has not gone unnoticed. In under three years, Rosa Vodka has earned 28 international awards, including the coveted Platinum Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition earning 100 points (a perfect score), with blind tastings scoring higher than hundreds of the world’s most established vodka brands. Today, Rosa Vodka is available in over 100 locations across California, including several Total Wine and More locations, and continues to grow through word of mouth, bartender advocacy, dedicated philanthropy and organic discovery.

Rosa Vodka is not chasing trends – it is redefining expectations. A category disruptor built on integrity, innovation, and exceptional craft.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been meaningful, but not effortless. Vodka is one of the most saturated categories in spirits and choosing to be both distinct and definitive naturally requires education. Rose, in our case, is not a ‘flavor’ – it’s an enhancement, much like a seasoning in fine cuisine. Helping consumers understand that nuance has been part of the journey.

Rosa Vodka is ultra-premium in quality and can seamlessly replace legacy brands, but the rose elevates the experience. A dirty martini becomes brighter, more dimensional, finishing with a subtle botanical note that transcends the cocktail rather than overpowering it. Even as the most awarded vodka in its category, there is still a moment of discovery required – because the floral essence doesn’t dominate the glass, it supports it, adding depth, balance, and intention.

Like any new brand, the greatest challenge is earning that first sip. Yet once lips meet the glass, the response is often immediate – surprise, delight, and a spontaneous “wow.” Our focus now is on expanding those moments of discovery through new sales partnerships and broader distribution, bringing Rosa Vodka to more tables, more bars, and more curious palates.

Pricing:

• $29.99 per 750ml

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rosavodka.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosa.vodka/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosavodka/

Image Credits
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