Poland; city of Szczecin (former German Stettin); Szczecin Vodka Factory and Museum (Szczecinska Fabryka W骴ek) STARKA: museum tour guide in the main vodka cellar; This famous vodka factory dates back to 1863; when Hermann Koch opened the brewery "Viktoria"; here. In 1926; the 300 workers started to produce Starka vodka; only. Starka; a short form of "Stary Wodka" (old vodka) may age up to 50 years and longer. Polish tradition of aging vodka started in 16th century; when rich people aged vodka for weddings of their new born children. Long aging of vodka happens in barrels of 200 or 250 liters.