VODKA 3

Definition Vodka is the result of the distillation of any kind of raw

material that contains fermentable sugar. This broad category of
raw material comprehends grain, molasses, fruit, vegetable and
many other products.
Except for various types of flavorings, vodka consists of water and
alcohol (ethanol). Vodka usually has an alcohol content ranging
from 37.5% to 70% by volume. The classic Russian vodka is 40%
(80 proof).
History The origins of vodka (and of its name) cannot be traced
definitively, but it is believed to have originated in the grain-
growing region that now embraces Poland, Belarus, Lithuania,
Ukraine, and western Russia. It also has a long tradition in
Scandinavia.
Nowadays vodka is produced all over the world using various raw
materials such as grapes, corn and many others.
The popularity of Vodka is always associated with cocktails as its
neutrality has given inspiration to many contemporary classics. Its
versatility and mixability has appealed to the majority of the
consumers, especially among the youngest one. Once understood
the potentials of this product, many brands has given emphasis to
exclusive packaging and marketing strategy, creating an aureole of
glamour and exclusivity.
Production The "still master" is the person in charge of distilling the
vodka and directing its filtration. When done correctly, much of
the "fore-shots" or "heads" and the "tails" separated in distillation
process are discarded. These portions of the distillate contain
flavour compounds such as ethyl acetate and ethyl lactate (heads)
as well as the fusel oils (tails) that alter the clean taste of vodka.
Through numerous rounds of distillation, the taste of the vodka is
improved and its clarity is enhanced.
Depending on the distillation method and the technique of the
“still master”, the final filtered and distilled vodka may have as
much as 95-96% ABV. As such, most vodka is diluted with water
prior to bottling down to the classic 40% ABV.

Filtration Filtering is sometimes done in the still during distillation,

as well as afterward, where the distilled vodka is filtered through
charcoal and other media. This is because under U.S. and
European law vodka must not have any distinctive aroma,
character, colour or flavour. However, this is not the case in the
traditional vodka producing nations, so many distillers from these
countries prefer to use very accurate distillation but minimal
filtering, thus preserving the unique flavours and characteristics of
their products.

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 Flavouring Apart from the alcoholic content, vodkas may be divided
into two main groups: clear vodkas and flavoured vodkas
While most vodkas are unflavoured, a wide variety of flavoured
vodkas has long been produced in traditional vodka-drinking
areas, often as homemade recipes to improve vodka's taste, or for
medicinal purposes. Flavourings include various fruit flavours,
vanilla, chocolate (without sweetener), ginger and cinnamon.
Polish and Belarusian add the leaves of the local bison grass to
produce Żubrówka (Polish) and Zubrovka (Belarussian) vodka,
with slightly sweet flavour and light amber colour. In Poland, a
famous vodka containing honey is called krupnik.

Service Vodka and tonic or vodka martini are among the most common
ways in which consumers enjoy vodka. Also its versatility has been
used for the creation of endless contemporary classics. Vodka is
also enjoyed neat or with ice, especially in Eastern Europe.

Next The vodkas available at Balthazar are only a portion of the

hundreds commercially available vodkas in the market. This
selection represents the most worldwide recognised brands as
premium choice.

Belvedere Belvedere is made from 100% Polish rye distilled 4 times

40% ABV Poland and charcoal filtered. It is made in a tradition that dates back over
500 years (the Polish invented vodka). The bottle is finished with
a cork and features the Belvedere House which is the Polish
equivalent to the White House. It has a distinct flavour of rye, is
creamy smooth and has a clean finish. Belvedere is distilled four
times, the optimum number for enhancing its unique, subtle
character. If a taste sampling shows even a hint of imbalance, the
entire batch is destroyed.
Belvedere Pomarancza it’s distilled using ripe Spanish mandarin,
Moroccan oranges, and exotic Moroccan orange blossoms, with
limes from south-eastern Spain. Belvedere Pomarancza (Orange)
shows deep orange aromas with bursts of orange blossom.
Belvedere vodka is also available in the Citrus flavoured version.

Wyborowa It is distilled exclusively from rye grain grown in the Turew 40%
ABV Poland estate (Poland). After the grain ingredients are selected, the
first distillation takes place in small copper columns on the
estate, as it has been done since the 16th century. Using the
estate's own pristine spring water, the spirit is distilled and
then sent to rectification facility where the liquid is distilled
an additional three times. Wyborowa Exquisite is the
premium version of the brand.

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Zubruwka Bison Grass Zubrowka is a brand of dry herb-flavoured vodka distilled
40% ABV Poland from rye. The raw rectified spirit is then mixed with a tincture
made of Hierochloe odorata, often called bison grass. This grass
grows in the Białowieża Forest, which is partly in Poland and
partly in Belarus. A blade of this grass can be found in every bottle
of genuine Żubrówka and is the reason for its particular taste,
aroma, and yellowish colour. Its name comes from żubr or zubr,
the Slavic word for bison, which are particularly fond of the herb.
The flavour is quite unique, and can be described as having
vanilla, coconut and almond like qualities.

Krupnik It is an ancient Polish liqueur which traces its roots back to

40% ABV Poland the 1300's. As such, it has been a traditional drink in Poland for
centuries. The skilful combining of a century-old tradition with
modern production methods has produced an excellent liqueur,
best drunk warm in the winter or on the rocks during the
summer. Krupnik (pronounced kroop-NEEK), is made of natural
wild bee's honey gathered in forests, and exotic spices. It has an
outstanding honey-sweet taste and spicy bouquet with a strong,
warming effect.

U’luvka Distilled in small batches, by craftsmen, from the finest

40% ABV Poland polish rye, wheat and barley. It is fresh, clean and elegant on the
nose, with distinct floral notes. Creamy and lightly buttery in
character, with impressive sweet, savoury and spicy flavours,
aniseed freshness and long vibrant grain finish.

Chopin This vodka is single-ingredient vodka, 4 times distilled from

40% ABV Poland organic potatoes grown in the Polish region of Podlasie. Chopin is
the first and only luxury potato vodka in the world. It was first
introduced to North America in 1997. Seven pounds of potatoes
are used to make each bottle of Chopin.

Russky Standart The Platinum marries the traditions of the highest quality
40% ABV Russia Russian Vodkas with modern distillation methods. As a product
of tradition, it fully complies with the strictest requirements of the
classical recipe developed by Dmitry Mendellev in 1894 at the
request of the Imperial Court of St. Petersburg. Russky Standart
Platinum enhances this classic formula by employing special silver
filters to further refine the purity of the product.

Stolichnaya Elite Super-premium vodka from Russia, distilled using a 500 year old
40% ABV Russia distillation process. Made using winter wheat, and quadruple-
filtered through quartz, charcoal, quartz again and then woven
cloth. Also diluted using soft, glacial waters it has a deep liquorice
and herbal flavour. Crystal clear, slightly viscous with good length.
Well-rounded with a soft, smooth, rich flavours.

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Smirnoff Black The Master Distiller carefully watches and tastes each batch
40% ABV Russia as it exits until the finest cut of each is found from every
distillation and considered distinctive enough to bottle.
Smirnoff Black vodka is a sensory revelation, starting with a nose
of orange blossom and lemon, underscored with notes of
chocolate and fudge.

Kauffman Vodka Kauffman Vodka is the creation of Mark Kaoufman, CEO

40% ABV Russia of one of the largest Russian wine and spirits distribution
companies. Mark Kauffman has worked for five years to produce
the world's finest, exclusive, luxury vodka brand. The taste of this
vodka is soft, inherent to honey-based vodka, with barely
perceptible hint of Cornelian cherry. The aroma is delicate, with
ginseng and pea tones: the recipe includes ginseng tincture.

Grey Goose Ultra-premium vodka produced and bottled in France. The grains
40% ABV France used are from the breadbasket region of France. Grey Goose is
column distilled in small batches. Each bottle is handmade and
depicts the grey goose in flight with the French Alps in the
background. Smoky aroma with hints of mint and grain. The
flavour is off dry, has a moderate bite and has notes of wheat and
cocoa bean.

Ciroc Made exclusively from snap frost grapes grown in the

40% ABV France Cognac region of France. Cold fermented to preserve freshness
and fruit character then distilled 5 times. Wine Enthusiast says
the 'palate entry is sweet, ripe and grapey; mid-palate highlights
the sweet, fruity ripeness.

Absolut Introduced in 1879 as 'Absolutely Pure’ this vodka uses a new

40% ABV Sweden distillation method called rectification (a way of removing
unwanted by-products). The clear bottle is styled after an old
Swedish medicine bottle. Made from locally grown wheat and
well-water from the town of Ahus in southern Sweden where all
Absolut is produced. Absolut removes most impurities while
retaining enough trace elements to keep the character of the raw
materials used. Smooth and light-bodied with some liquorice
flavours.

Ketel One Vodka It is d istille d fro m 1 0 0 % w h e a t a n d m a d e a t th e N o le t

40% ABV Holland Distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands. It is distilled in alembic
copper pot stills, filtered over loose charcoal, and rests in tile lined
tanks until ready. Ketel One Vodka (Ketel means Kettle) is named
after the original, copper pot still “Distilleerketel”. The vodka is
smooth and elegant but with character. Ketel One Citron is the
citrus flavoured version.

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42 Below This brand uses wheat from the purest fields in the world and
40% ABV New Zealand water from a volcanic spring that achieves the highest purity rating
possible. 42 BELOW is distilled near a world benchmark for air
purity, 42 degrees below the equator. Distilled four times, the
spirit is then 'washed' in spring water reducing the level of alcohol
to 6%. This cleans away any remaining impurities. It is then
distilled a fifth time to create totally pure spirit. 42 Below is a
smooth, full, grain-based vodka similar in style to vodkas
produced in Scandinavian countries, which differ from the potato
and rye-based vodkas typical of Russia and Poland.

SUMMARY

Key Topics Definition of Vodka

History and origin
Production and filtration
Brands flavour profile and origin

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