Vodka Flashcards
What is Vodka?
Vodka, a neutral, clear liquor, is one of the world’s most popular spirits and the bestselling spirit in the US. From its humble Polish and Russian origins—vodka is derived from the Russian word for water—it has emerged as the base spirit of choice for many cocktails and has spawned innumerable flavored versions. Vodka may be distilled from a number of different bases, such as potatoes, rye, grapes, beets, and molasses—if it will ferment it can potentially become vodka.
What can vodka be distilled from?
Many different bases. Some examples:potatoes, rye, grapes, beets, and molasses—if it will ferment it can potentially become vodka.
The wash for vodka is usually distilled in what kind of still?
continuous still
What is the wash for vodka filter with to make the spirit ultra clean?
Charcoal
Why is repeated distillations a trend for premium vodkas?
the more distillations a vodka undergoes, the stronger and purer the final spirit will be, and, it is suggested, the less likely its abuse will result in hangovers.
Why do Eastern European and Russian vodkas tend to have a little more character than their Western European and American counterparts?
The EU and the US mandate any spirit labeled vodka to be neutral in flavor.
In the EU, vodka must have a minimum abv of?
37.5%.
If the vodka is not made from potatoes or grain, an EU producer must?
state the products used in fermentation on the label.
Name two quality Russian producers of Vodka?
Quality Russian producers of vodka include Stolichnaya and Ikon. and the global, Diageo-owned Smirnoff—vodka of Russian origin that hasn’t been produced in the country for almost a century
Name two quality Polish vodkas?
- Chopin (potato)
2. Belvedere (varieties of Dankowskie rye)
Name a French quality Vodka and what its made from?
Grey Goose (pot still) made from single origin Picardie winter wheat
What is the bestselling premium vodka in the US?
Grey Goose (pot Still)
Name a bestselling US vodka, how it is made, and from what?
Titos (texas), pot still, made from corn
Where is Ketel One made?
Holland (wheat)
Where is Smirnoff made?
began in Moscow by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov (1831 - 1898) Distributed in 130 countries. Owned by Diageo. Made in several countries including Albania, Brazil, Honduras, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Mongolia, the Phillippines, the UK, and the USA
Most major brands produce a full range of flavored vodkas. Name some
Most major brands produce a full range of flavored vodkas; common flavors include lemon/citron, vanilla, orange, raspberry, blueberry, and other fruits and spices
What is acquavit?
The Scandinavian liquor acquavit, a clear spirit made from fermented potato or grain and flavored with caraway root and other aromatics, is basically flavored vodka.
What are soju and shochu?
Korean soju and Japanese shochu, distilled liquors traditionally made from rice and grains but now commonly produced from potato tapioca, are very similar to unflavored vodka in character. Shochu, however, is not filtered through charcoal.
Where does soju originate?
Korea
Where does shochu originate?
Japan
What is Awamori?
An Okinawan style of shochu tht is always distilled from long grain indica rice.
Today Soju and Shochu are commonly produced from?
potato tapioca
Soju and Shochu are similar to unflavored vodka in character, but one is not filtered through charcoal. Which one?
Shochu
Name 6 gluten free vodkas.
- Titos (corn) (austin, texas)
- Ciroc (grapes) (ugni blanc & mauzac blanc) (FR)
- Chopin (potato) (poland)
- Smirnoff (corn)
- Boyd & Blair (potato) (Glenshaw, PA)
- Crop Artisanal Earth (corn) (bottled in MN; HQ in NY)
- Luksusowa Red Label (potato) (polish)
