VODKA

 

VODKA 

DEFINITION

Vodka is a neutral spirit distilled from any fermented material and treated in a way so as to be without any distinctive colour, taste or aroma.

   Origin

 

   - Russia (17th century)

   - Spread to Finland, Poland and rest of   

     North-East Europe

Vodka has come from the Russian word “WODKA” meaning, ‘Little Water’

 

SOURCE

 

•         Most plentiful and least expensive grains

•         Principal grain is CORN

•         Other grains used are wheat, rye, etc.

 

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

 

Distilled at more than 95% v/v

↓

Filtered through alternate layers of vegetable charcoal (Siberian birch) and quartz sand

↓

Dilution with distilled water

↓

Ageing not required

 

FLAVOURED VODKAS

Zubrowka

 

•         Flavoured with Zubrowka grass from the forests of eastern Poland

•         Yellowish tinge & aromatic bouquet

•         Exceptionally soft and smooth

•         Ice cold – toto - straight

 

 

 

 

 

FLAVOURED VODKAS

 

Starka

 

•         Means ‘old’

•         Aged for about 10 years in oak casks previously used for ageing fine wines

•         Amber colour & typically wine-like aroma

•         Popular among brandy lovers

 

Pertsovka

 

•         Dark brown Russian pepper vodka

•         Infusion of capsicum, cayenne & cubeb

•         Pleasant aroma with a burning taste

•         Czar Peter the Great seasoned his vodka with pepper – Russians still enjoy!

 

Yubileyneya Osobaya

 

•         Flavoured with brandy & honey among other ingredients

•         Referred to as Jubilee Vodka

 

Okhotnichya

 

•         Flavoured with many herbs

•         Definite aroma of heather honey

•         Referred to as Hunter’s Vodka

 

BRAND NAMES

 

•         Smirnoff

•         Nikolai

•         Vladivar

•         Bolshoi

•         Bolskaya

•         Stolichnya

•         Moscovskaya

•         Newyorkskaya