How Vodka Is Made And Popular Brands Of Vodka

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The Process Of Making Vodka And Popular Brands Of Vodka

Nobody really knows when vodka was first made. Some believe that it was first made in Russia in the 9th century while others think that it may have started in Poland in the 8th century. What is known though, is that vodka was originally very different from the spirit is today because it had a different flavor, color, and smell and was used as a medicine. Anyhow, let’s have a look down below at how vodka is made today and some of the different brands of it.

How Vodka Is Made?

The amazing thing about vodka is that it can be made from any plant that contains either starch or sugar, including grains, potatoes, and even fruits. As you should already know, these base ingredients are used to create a liquid, which is then fermented and distilled to produce the spirit. In case you don’t know the process of fermentation and distillation of any type of spirit, have a look at our other post: Basics Of Spirits: The Process Of Distillation And Maturation. The main future of most of the vodkas is how pure they are after their distillation.

This means that many vodkas are distilled multiple times to purify the alcohol as much as possible and also are filtered in order to remove any other impurities in the liquid, making the end product as pure as possible. While many vodkas pride themselves on being incredibly pure, clear, and flavorless, certain vodkas are flavored in order to bring some taste to the spirit. Common flavors include pepper, ginger, fruit flavors, vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon. Let’s have a clearer look into all the steps of how vodka is made:

The Steps Of Making Vodka:

1. Selecting Ingredients
   The primary ingredient for vodka production is usually a high-starch, low-protein material like grains or potatoes as mentioned above. The choice of ingredients can impact the flavor and character of the final product.
2. Mashing
   If grains are used, they are ground and mixed with water to form a mash. Then this mash is heated to convert the starches into sugars, which can then be fermented into alcohol. Potatoes may also be mashed or cooked to release their starches
3. Fermentation
   Yeast is added to the mash, initiating fermentation. During this process, yeast consumes the sugars in the mash and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide as byproducts. Fermentation typically lasts a few days and results in a liquid with low alcohol content, known as a “wash” or “beer.”
4. Distillation
   The wash is then distilled to increase its alcohol content. Distillation involves heating the liquid to vaporize the alcohol, which is then collected and condensed back into liquid form. Vodka is typically distilled multiple times to achieve a high level of purity and smoothness. The distillation process removes impurities and concentrates the alcohol.
5. Filtration
   After distillation, the vodka may undergo filtration to further remove impurities and create a clean, smooth taste. Filtration methods can vary and may include passing the vodka through activated charcoal or other materials.
6. Dilution and Bottling
   Once the vodka has been distilled and filtered to the desired level of purity, it is usually diluted with water to reach the desired alcohol content, which is typically around 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). The vodka is then bottled and packaged for distribution.
   

These are the basic steps on how vodka is made but consider that there can be variations and additional steps involved depending on the specific techniques and preferences of the distillery. Additionally, some vodka producers may infuse their products with flavors or botanicals during or after the distillation process to create flavored vodkas. Unlike other spirits such as whiskey or rum, vodka is not typically matured or aged for an extended period. Vodka is known for its clean, neutral flavor profile, and the goal of its production is often to achieve a smooth and pure taste.

Popular Brands Of Vodka

In the world of vodka, because so much emphasis is placed on how pure the final spirit is, you will find that people may tend to be very particular about which brand of vodka they want to drink. This means that we need to know our vodka brands well and make recommendations. Is always good to have good product knowledge about spirits. Now that we know how vodka is made, let’s have a look down below into some of different brands of vodka:

1. Ciroc Vodka

Ciroc is a French brand of vodka that unlike most vodkas, which are made from grains or potatoes, Ciroc is made using Mauzac blanc and Ugni blanc grapes from France. Both varieties of grapes are distilled separately four times before being added together and distilled one more last time. This French vodka brand has gained popularity for its smooth taste and versatility in cocktails. Ciroc vodka comes in a number of different flavors such as grape, red berry, coconut and peach, which add a tropical twist to cocktails.

2. Grey Goose Vodka

Grey Goose vodka is a premium vodka brand known for its smooth and clean taste. It was first produced in 1997 in France using French wheat and water from the Gensac Springs, even though it was designed for the American market. The vodka is distilled in column stills in the Cognac region of France and then it undergoes a continuous distillation process, which helps to refine the spirit and remove impurities, resulting in a high-quality, pure vodka. It’s often enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, and its distinctive frosted glass bottle has become iconic in the world of spirits. Grey Goose vodka nowadays is very popular in both, North America and Eastern Europe.

3. Belvedere Vodka

Belvedere vodka is a Polish brand of vodka that is produced in Poland and distributed worldwide and is named after the Belweder Palace in Warsaw, a historical landmark in Poland. It was first made in 1996 and is made by infusing fresh fruit and other botanicals into the spirit before re-distilling it to create the final product. Belvedere vodka is often enjoyed in classic cocktails like the Vodka Martini or the Moscow Mule. Belvedere vodka is available in markets around the world, making it accessible to consumers in many countries. Its reputation for excellence and its distinctive packaging have helped it stand out in the competitive vodka market. Its smoothness and versatility make it a popular choice for mixing in a variety of drinks.

4. Smirnoff Vodka

Smirnoff vodka is one of the most popular and widely consumed vodka brands globally and it was first introduced in Russia in the 1860s. Smirnoff was founded by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov in Moscow in the late 19th century. It quickly gained popularity in Russia and later became one of the most recognizable vodka brands in the world. In the 1930s, during the Russian Revolution, the Smirnov family fled Russia, and the brand was eventually acquired by Rudolph Kunett, who brought it to the United States. Smirnoff vodka is made from corn, making it a grain-based vodka. In a 2005 New York Times blind tasting of 21 world-class vodkas, Smirnoff won as the “hands-down favorite” and in March 2006, Smirnoff claimed that it was the best-selling distilled spirit brand in the world.

5. Stolichnaya Vodka

This is a Russian vodka, first produced in the 1940s and the name of the brand means “capital city“. Stolichnaya is made from wheat and rye grain and it is distilled four times before being diluted to bottling strength with water. Thereafter, it is filtered through quartz and sand. activated charcoal, and finally through woven cloth. Stolichnaya has made significant contributions to vodka culture globally, particularly in popularizing vodka in countries outside of Eastern Europe. It has been prominently featured in media and movies, further solidifying its position in the global spirits market. 6.

6. Skyy Vodka

Sky vodka is a popular American vodka that was founded in 1992 in San Francisco, USA. Skyy Vodka was developed with the aim of creating a vodka with fewer congeners (the chemical byproducts of fermentation that can contribute to hangovers) and a smoother taste. This vodka is distilled four times and filtered three times before it is bottled in a cobalt blue bottle. This vodka is a high-priced brand aimed at martini drinkers.

7. Absolut Vodka

Absolut vodka is one of the most popular and well-known vodka brands globally, famous for its high quality, distinctive clear bottle, and creative marketing campaigns. This brand of vodka is produced in southern Sweden and was first introduced in 1879. Absolut vodka is made from winter wheat grown in the fields of southern Sweden through a process of continuous distillation, meaning it is distilled many times until all the impurities have been removed. Absolut vodka offers a wide range of flavored vodkas alongside its original unflavored version (Absolut Vodka 80 proof). These flavors include but are not limited to Citron, Peppar, Kurant, and Vanilia. The brand frequently introduces limited editions and special flavors that cater to various global tastes and trends.