Handsa is a traditional strong alcoholic drink from Setomaa, burnt from the world’s oldest rye variety, mild Sangaste rye. It has been brewed for centuries from rye and rye malt. Vodka burners secretly burned Handsa for their own use and sold it as contraband.
Handsa is a grain distillate made from vodka (at least 96% of different spirits) and water, with a distillation strength of 60-70% alc.vol.
Handsa is classified as a rye brandy.