Vodka
Too bored, so I figured it would actually improve my bar knowledge if I were to write about it consistently. So I’m gonna start with Vodka! I might have picked up false information from the web through my readings, so correct me if I’m wrong ^^
As most would perceive ‘Vodka’ as a ‘colorless, tasteless, odorless” spirit, with all the different ingredients and distillation methods, every brand of vodka actually posses different unique characteristic.
History
Like all other spirits (liquor), it’s got a pretty interesting history as well. Like almost every other things, origin of Vodka is much disputed between Poland and Russia. Dating back as early as the 14th century, alcohol was originally distilled for medicinal purposes, being made from crude ingredients such as honey, grapes and tree sap.
In the 15th century, grains then became the popular ingredient for Vodka, as it was a cheaper alternative. At this point, Vodka could be made from just about anything, grains, honey, grapes, treesap, potatoes, sugar cane, or just about any waste products, you name it.
Coming to the 16th century, new law in Poland states that every Pole has the right to produce and sell alcohol, while the Russian Tsar(Ivan the Terrible) populates Russia with Kabaks (taverns). By the 17th century, distillation methods in Poland becomes more refined and Kabaks outnumbers bath-houses.
Fast forwarding to 1917, Russia (Lenin) orders that sale of anything above 20% alcohol volume is forbidden as drunkards wreck the country. This was relaxed in 1926 when Stalin realize that vodka can be used for social control. By 1930, vodka’s alcohol volume control was completely lifted.
Vodka were also issued to soldiers by the Soviet Union as combat rations during World War II.
Enough of history, now let’s look at some of the big names of Vodka brands;
Wyborowa (Poland)
Meaning ‘exquisite’ in Polish, it is made from rye grown in the north-werstern part of Poland where starch content is higher due to the climate. Triple distilled and triple filtered, with only the middle portion being kept, the water goes through a reverse osmosis filtration process before being blended and then filtered two more times. Proof of their centuries spent in perfection of the art of distillation.
Smirnoff (Russia)
Named after Piotr Smirnov who founded the distillery in the 19th century. It was awarded the warrent to supply vodka to the Russian imperial court. After the revolution, Vladimir Smirnov fled the country with the brand name and recipe and later re-establising itself in Istanbul, which he then moved Poland and later France at where he changed the brand name from Smirnov to Smirnoff (french spelling).
This russian vodka is now produced just about everywhere all over the world except Russia. Made from wheat and triple distilled then charcoal filtered. Classic example of sharp spicy russian vodka. Responsible for kicking off the Vodka craze in United States with the cocktail “Moscow Mule” and eventually to the globe.
Absolut (Sweden)
Founded in 1879 by Lars Olsson Smith, prodigious distiller which earned him the nick name ‘King of Spirits’. Intended to be a ‘pure and clean’ vodka, thus the original name “Absolut rent branvin” meaning ‘Absolutely pure vodka’
The so-called ‘revolutionary’ vodka, it’s probably the first vodka brand you have heard. It’s bottle design was inspired by an antique medicine bottle. Before its entry in the market, nobody would ask for vodka by brand, thanks to its successful advertising campaign, it created the kind of Vodka that people would ask for by name, which led to the sprung of premium / super premium / deluxe Vodka brands.
The brand name then changed from ‘Absolute’ to ‘Absolut’ for the U.S market, so from ‘Absolutely pure vodka’ it is now known as ‘Absolut - Country of Sweden’
Made from winter wheat grown in the southern plains of Skane. Unlike most vodkas, Absolut vodka is not charcoal / chemically filtered. A light and smooth vodka as compared to its Russian counterparts.
Grey Goose
Awarded the ‘Best Tasting Vodka in the World’ by the Chicago Beverage Testing Institute in its first year of production allowed it to sit on its throne ever since 1998. Created by Sydney Frank. the ’self-made billionaire’, Frank is also the guy behind Jägermeister.
Unique in a number of ways, as most vodka distillers choose one type of ingredient and method to produce their vodka, Grey Goose uses two distillation processes and 4 ingredients(rye, barley, corn and wheat). Distilled 5 times and filtered through several feet of champagne limestone, then blended with water from the Gente Springs which gives the vodka a flinty, stony character.
A very smooth and complex vodka, with many different flavors dancing across your palate, giving it a well deserved ‘Best Tasting Vodka in the World’ title.
Cîroc
World’s first Vodka made from grapes grown in Gaillac and Cognac region of France. Distilled five times via 2 different distillation methods. Yet another evidence that vodka can be made from just about ‘anything’. Be totally blown away when you make a Grape Martini with it. Relatively new to the market(debut in 2003), the french vodka is now considered as one of the most premium vodka in the market.
Drinking Vodka The Russian Way
-Never mix it with anything (the only thing you can mix with is.. beer)
As the popular Russian saying goes, “Vodka without beer is a waste of money” or something along those lines.
-Drink it fast
The myth goes like this; they believe that what gets you drunk is not the fluid, but instead, the fumes! So if you don’t smell anything, you don’t get drunk!
-Never drink alone
You have to toast, always.
-Never leave the empty bottle on the table.
The russians believe that its a bad omen to leave the empty bottle on the table as it would meant that you are too poor to afford Vodka.
-Finish everything.
Do I have to explain this?