Vodka

Your Spirit World Authority...

Vodka; There is much speculation as to the true origin of Vodka. The Russians and the Polish peoples both lay claim to this luxury liquor. Where it originated we do know in North Eastern Europe as early as the 14^th century. Voda is ‘in many Slavic languages’ for ‘dear little water’.

At or around fifteenth century, this became the beverage of choice of the ‘Great Czars’ in the great lands of the Russian Republic… There came to be an affinity to this most neutral of all spirits, Vodka… or perhaps derived from the notion ‘water’ or ‘Voda’ of life. L’eau de Vie in French, it is not without friends. In the US it was virtually unknown through the 1930s. Not until after world war II did American consumers take hold of this chameleon of products.

A virtually colorless, odorless and almost tasteless alcoholic beverage distilled from fermented wheat, rye, potatoes, corn or other grain products. Primarily wheat & corn. In history, potatoes were the carbohydrate of choice for Vodka, this vegetable was what was in abundance… but now, grains & corn are cheaper & potatoes are more difficult to harvest.

So… you begin with a carbohydrate… mash to a pulp, add yeast and ‘Presto…’ Alcohol & Co2. The Co2 is allowed to escape, leaving an alcoholic ‘brew’. This ‘brew’ is then filtered & distilled.

The distillation process removes impurities with each passing, prompting many vodka companies to ‘premium distill’ & ‘specially filter’ their vodkas over & over again for the smoothest taste. Some a ½ a dozen times. To the point where they must add water back in to come within the legal limit of alcoholic content.

The filtration processes are varied as well. Some using diatamatious earth, carbon or charcoal filtering is common even diamond dust… All in the pursuit of the cleanest yet tastiest Vodka of all. There are many… some 400 to this day.

The neutral character of this spirit lends itself to the flavor of many, many mixers. The highest mixability rating of all spirits. It is no wonder the resurgence of popularity of this spirit. Vodka is the fastest growing category of all.