Chapter 3: Vodka - History and Production

Question 1

Minimum distillation proof for US vodka

Answer 1

190 proof

Question 2

Minimum bottling proof for US vodka

Answer 2

80 proof (40% abv)

Question 3

Minimum bottling proof for flavored US vodka

Answer 3

60 proof (30% abv)

Question 4

In the US, vodka is considered to be a ____ type of spirits

Answer 4

Neutral

Question 5

Law regarding oak aging of US vodka

Answer 5

Vodka (unflavored) may not be aged or stored in wood barrels, except when stored in paraffin-lined wood barrels and labeled as bottled-in-bond

Question 6

In the US, vodka may contain up to ____ grams of sugar per liter

Answer 6

In the US, vodka may contain up to 2 grams of sugar per liter

Question 7

In the US, vodka may be treated with up to ____ grams of citric acid per liter

Answer 7

In the US, vodka may be treated with up to 1 gram of citric acid per liter

Question 8

Minimum bottling proof for EU vodka (unflavored)

Answer 8

75 proof (37.5% abv)

Question 9

Minimum bottling proof for EU flavored vodka

Answer 9

75 proof (37.5% abv)

Question 10

Product that began the “EU Vodka Wars”

Answer 10

Cîroc (French grape-based vodka, released in 2003)

Question 11

Proposal that ended the “EU Vodka Wars”

Answer 11

The Schnellhardt Compromise (passed in 2007)

Question 12

Six countries that have PGI status for vodka in the EU

Answer 12

Poland, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Norway

Question 13

Earliest producers of vodka

Answer 13

Russia and/or Poland

Question 14

The first brand of vodka to be produced in the United States

Answer 14

Smirnoff

Question 15

First brand of Russian vodka to be distributed in the United States

Answer 15

Stolichnaya

Question 16

Optional post-distillation process for vodka often used to neutralize its character

Answer 16

Filtration/Charcoal filtration

Question 17

Congener in vodka that may give a “fruity or floral” character

Answer 17

Ethyl laurate

Question 18

Congeners (2) that often provide a waxy character in vodka

Answer 18

• Ethyl myristate

* Ethyl palmitate

Question 19

Traditional base ingredient used in Russian vodka

Answer 19

Wheat

Question 20

Traditional base ingredient used in Polish vodka

Answer 20

Rye or potato

Question 21

Traditional base ingredient used in Swedish vodka

Answer 21

Winter Wheat

Question 22

Traditional base ingredient used in Finland’s vodka

Answer 22

Barley

Question 23

Original (historic) name for the vodka martini

Answer 23

Kangaroo Cocktail