Popular Types of Vodka

Glass vodka bottles set on a bar

Vodka is a colorless, odorless alcohol that is drank straight or with mixers. There are many different types of vodka, varying by the region it is produced in and the production process itself. Not all vodkas are created equal, and the taste of particular vodkas can vary greatly. Understanding a little bit about how vodka is prepared may help you to determine what type of vodka to choose for your next drink.

Fermentation

When it comes to fermenting vodka, there are countless resources that can be used. When a medium is chosen, it is mixed with yeast so that alcohol can be produced when the medium begins to ferment. The most common fermenting mediums are cereal grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Also very popular are potatoes and corn. Molasses, beets and sugar are commonly used fermenting agents also, and can be either the sole ingredient in the fermentation process or added to other ingredients. Vodkas that are made from potatoes or grains, which are sources of starch, are first mashed with active enzymes that work to dissolve the starches to create sugars that can be fermented by the yeast. The medium chosen for the fermentation process can have a slight influence on the taste of the finished product.

Distillation

When the fermented alcoholic liquid, known as the wash, is collected, it is placed in the chosen distillation vessel. Some vodka manufacturers choose to put the wash through further filtration before distilling. This varies by manufacturer. The distillation apparatus, known as a still, subjects the wash to extreme heat. The temperature is set higher than what is required to boil alcohol but lower than what is required to boil water. This process separates the alcohol from most of the water, leaving a tiny amount of the water to be distilled with the alcohol. The liquids condense inside and when cooled, turns into vodka. The two methods used to distill vodka are the column still and the pot still. A column still will result in a purer vodka product because the alcohol only has to pass through the still one time, eliminating the need to add additional purifying elements, such as charcoal. If a pot still is used, the vodka will have additional flavors and aromas that will need to be removed with further filtration techniques, such as a carbon treatment. This will affect the flavor of the vodka.

Region

Vodkas are produced all over the globe. Manufacturers are located in many countries, and some produce specialty vodkas with a distinct taste that can only be found in that particular region. Many fine vodkas come out of Russia, including Kauffman Luxury Vintage and Stolichnaya. France produces vodkas such as Jean-Marc XO and Grey Goose. Poland, El Salvador, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy and the United States are all home to top vodka manufacturers. The product that comes out of each region will vary in taste and quality, depending on the method that was used to produce it.

Flavor

Vodka comes in two main varieties, those that are flavored and those that are clear. Unflavored, clear vodkas are pure, traditionally made vodkas. Flavored vodkas are made by adding flavoring elements during the distillation process. Popular flavors include chocolate, fruit flavors, pepper, and cinnamon, and are generally used for making martinis and other mixed drinks.

References

• Tastings: All About Vodka
• Martini Muse: Vodka Review