🥃 Skyy
Vodka brand launched in 1992 in San Francisco by Maurice Kanbar; according to the producer, quadruple-distilled and triple-filtered; Campari Group has held a controlling stake since 2002.
Skyy is a vodka brand launched in 1992 in San Francisco by the inventor Maurice Kanbar, who founded Skyy Spirits, LLC. Since January 2002 the Campari Group has held a controlling stake in Skyy Spirits. According to the producer, the vodka is quadruple-distilled and triple-filtered.
History. Maurice Kanbar founded Skyy Spirits in 1992 and was its controlling shareholder until January 2002, when Campari acquired a majority stake. In February 2005 Campari exercised a call option for a further 30.1%, taking its interest to 89%; the remaining 11% was held by the management team. According to the Campari press release, the flavoured versions launched between 2000 and 2004 were Berry, Citrus, Melon, Orange, Spiced and Vanilla. The brand's website dates the Skyy Infusions range to 2008 and a relaunch of the pack to 2021.
How it is made. According to the producer, Skyy is quadruple-distilled and triple-filtered, with filtration through California limestone, and the water is enriched with minerals from the San Francisco Bay area.
Why this matters to you. Vodka is category 15 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks. The classic vodka and the flavoured versions are different products, so check the version and strength on the label. The WHO reminds that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1992, Maurice Kanbar, San Francisco (Skyy Spirits); Campari — controlling stake since 01.2002 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787: vodka |
| EU category | 15 — vodka |
| Distillation method | quadruple distillation, triple filtration (according to the producer) |
What it includes
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Skyy → kind of → 🌾 Vodka and grain spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Campari Group
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol, 🧪 Water
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🍸 Vodka, 🌾 Vodka and grain spirits
- Related to
- 🌍 North America
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Absolut, 🥃 Grey Goose
Frequently asked questions
Who created Skyy and when?
Maurice Kanbar founded Skyy Spirits in San Francisco in 1992.
Who owns Skyy?
The Campari Group has held a controlling stake in Skyy Spirits since January 2002; it raised its interest to 89% in 2005.
How is Skyy made?
According to the producer, it is quadruple-distilled and triple-filtered, including through California limestone.
Which flavours did Skyy launch first?
According to Campari, the versions launched between 2000 and 2004 were Berry, Citrus, Melon, Orange, Spiced and Vanilla.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 North America — US and Canada: 9.5 million US cows gave 232 billion lb of milk (2025); Wisconsin makes a quarter of US cheese; Canada runs on dairy quotas.
- 🥃 Grey Goose — French vodka from Picardie soft winter wheat and spring water from a well in Gensac-la-Pallue, blended in the Cognac region; launched in 1997 and owned by Bacardi.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Eristoff · 🥃 Starka · 🥃 Ketel One · 🥃 Danzka · 🥃 Koskenkorva · 🥃 Chopin
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Campari Group press release (25.02.2005): further 30.1% stake in Skyy Spirits, LLC; stake 89%; majority since January 2002; founded 1992 by Maurice Kanbar; flavours 2000-2004
- SKYY Vodka official site: Production (quadruple distillation, triple filtration through California limestone, Bay Area minerals)
- SKYY Vodka official site: Our history (Maurice Kanbar, 1992, SKYY Infusions 2008, 2021 relaunch)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I (category 15 — vodka)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)