Vodka is the surprise package of the 20th Century.
From an unknown Russian drink to the most widely used cocktail
drink, it has been quite a journey.
History Of Vodka
The exact history of vodka is not known.
However, it has its origins in a grain growing region around what
we know today as Poland, Western Russia and Ukraine. The word
'vodka' is derived from the Russian word 'voda', which means
water. Experts believe that the first record of vodka was found
somewhere around the 9th Century. However, the first known
distillery is around 200 years after that, around the 11th
Century, in Khylnovsk, Russia.
The early process of distillation of vodka was
crude. Due to the limitations in technology of the period, many
impurities would remain behind and cause an unpleasant and
unwanted taste. The early distillers would mask this by adding
flavours to the vodka: The most common among them being absinthe,
anisette, juniper, mint, pepper and peppermint.
The Bolshevik Revolution, banned all private
distilleries in Russia. Many of the master distillers fled from
the country: One of them being the son of Master Distiller
Smirnov. Vladimir Smirnov fled to France to setup his distillery.
Here he made contact with an American businessman and created the
Smirnoff (the French version of his family name) brand. Vodka was
publicized as a 'white whiskey' that left you 'breathless' (it did
not leave one with an alcohol breath). But, vodka found its place
only in the 1950s and 'swinging 60s'. The affluent youth and
numerous cocktails, for which vodka's odourless and tasteless
characteristics make it a perfect component, led to the Vodka
revolution. And Vodka surpassed Bourbon (American whiskey) as the
largest selling hard liquor.
Production Of Vodka
Vodka has traditionally been prepared with the
cheapest grain available at hand. Vodka is mainly made from
starch. However certain Polish vodkas are based on potato. Even
molasses is used sometimes. Vodka is basically pure alcohol
(ethanol) and water. It is extremely similar to whiskey. Both are
produced from fermented mash. However, Vodka is distilled off at a
very high proof. Thus, by distilling vodka off at 190 proof, most
of the flavour is lost and almost only alcohol and water are left
behind. Thus, the best vodka is tasteless, colourless and
odourless.
Brands
Some of the most popular and good quality vodka
brands are Smirnoff, Grey Goose and Absolut. However, blind tastes
often confirm, that most of us cannot discern between the
different brands of vodka. This is natural and desired, as vodka
is supposed to be tasteless as well as odourless. Hence, the brand
of vodka, is a personal preference. It is suggested to use any
'house' brand while using vodka in mixed drinks.
Vodkas also come in a variety of flavours.
Brands like Absolut and Smirnoff have an arsenal of flavoured
vodkas. Some of the popular flavours include raspberry, citrus,
orange, vanilla and pepper.
Like everything else in life, we want to know which
is the 'best' vodka. Which vodka is most superior
to others. And like everything else in life, we realize that there
is no one single answer. For example, I use the latest Intel
Pentium Core Duo Processor, as I require it to power my media
center, on the other hand, my Grandfather still uses a 11 year old
IBM Thinkpad with 4 MB RAM running Windows 3.11 with Wordpad!
Anyway, back to Vodka. Vodka is defined as a
neutral spirit devoid of any distinct characteristics such as
odour, taste or colour. Considering the above definition
all vodkas should be the same and the brand shouldn't matter. This
is true to some extent, in the sense, that the final product of
all the brands are more or less similar to each other and while
mixed in a blood mary, there is little or no discernable
distinction between them. However, if you plan to have them as
shots, on the rocks or in a martini, then you are well advised to
consume a premium brand.
There are a lot of vodkas out there. And each
one is trying to catch your eye, with refreshing marketing,
stylish bottles and happening events. This is because of the above
noted fact, that the product is more or less same, and hence,
marketing plays a big role.
Okay. Now since we are clear about what vodka
actually is, lets look at some of the brands. (If you are
interested more about the history and other nuances of Vodka, read
my article 'All About Vodka') I am not affiliated with any of them
and I have no particular favourite among them either. So be
assured that whatever is said herein is completely unbiased and in
the best interest of vodka.
Lets start with the world best selling vodka.
Remember, the phrase is 'best selling', it doesn't make the best
vodka on the planet. I guess every vodka drinker knows it.
Smirnoff. Smirnoff was the first American brand of Vodka,
which was bought over from Vladimir Smirnov of Russia. The
Smirnoff No. 21 is the most widely sold vodka in the
world and is an extremely good example of classical vodka. It has
little discerning character, and does not pamper you with slight
flavours or a mellow follow through. If you don't like to think
too much and are on a budget, this is the vodka to go for. Have it
chilled and experience the Russian in you. Smirnoff also comes in
blue and black labels which are
of increasing strength. It has also launched numerous flavoured
vodkas such as Green Apple Twist, Citrus Twist, Lemon
Twist and many more. They are great to have in martinis
and light cocktails.
Next up, Grey Groose. Now this
is on that has had its fair share of Hollywood exposure. You can
hear almost every celebrity asking for a Grey Goose Martini. This
vodka brand is truly a marketing brilliance. Winter wheat being
distilled with natural spring waters in a French Distillery is
surely going to make some heads turn. It is this approach to
vodka, that has made Grey Goose a brand to reckon with. But,
nothing to be taken away, this is really great vodka to have in
your martini. It comes in three flavours: L'Orange, Le
Citron and La Vanille. The Citron is great to have in a
Lemon Drop Martini.
The third among the most marketed brands is
Absolut. This Swedish vodka has the one of the
largest number of flavoured vodkas in the market. Its global
marketing strategy seems to have paid off in recent times and is
considered to be a truly superior vodka in many places in the
world. Its neutral variety comes in blue and
red labels with increasing strengths. The red
bottle (50 % vol) is a really smooth spirit with almost no
discernarable taste of its own. The blue bottle mixes extremely
well with almost all mixers and makes it great in most cocktails.
The flavoured varieties too are very good and for
the adventurous there are no dearth of varieties to try from.
Now, lets move onto the lesser marketed, premium
brands. I'll start with what most vodka drinkers and experts
consider a truly great and 'almost perfect' vodka.
Stolichnaya is what it claims to be "a true Russian
vodka". It was founded at the Cristill Distillery in Moscow and is
now manufactured in ex-Soviet republics (Kazakhstan and Ukraine).
It is quadruple distilled though quartz sand and finally passed
through a woven cloth, to give you a vodka free from any flavours
or odours. This one is great to have on the rocks.
Next on the list is Belvedere.
This is a Polish vodka. However, unlike other Polish vodka this
one is made from rye rather than potatoes. The experts are always
confused about this one. Many hold it in high regard, while others
suggest that the other brands mentioned here, are far superior.
For the record, I like it. Still one could argue that with so many
different brands with better marketing and “brand appeal”, this
vodka still leaves you with something to desire more from.
Our last entry on this discussion would be
Belvedere's sibling: Chopin. However, unlike its
sibling, Chopin is made from potatoes; the way authentic polish
vodka should. Even though for many years, potato based vodkas have
been frowned upon by Russians as inferior, the truth lies in the
fact, that with the right distillery, whatever be the ingredient,
you can produce superior vodka. And Chopin is a great example of
the same. This vodka is crisp and has a sweet and sour green apple
tinge to it. It's the only potato based vodka that is held with
such high regard and just for this sake, I urge you to try it at
least once. Your Polish experience will definitely be worth it.
There are some other lovely vodka brands as
well. Vox, Ketel One,
Three Olives and Jewel Of Russia are
just a few to name. Vodka, like other spirits, is full of
tradition and variety. And to cover all would be an arduous if not
impossible task. I hope not to offend anybody with my views. They
are mine and others may not agree. As I always maintain wines and
spirits are very personal in nature. The best wine or spirit is
always the one you enjoy most! With that I humbly conclude this
article. Hope you enjoyed it, as much as I need writing it.
