Vodka
Vodka is a European clear distilled alcoholic beverage. Different varieties originated in Poland, Russia and Sweden. Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol, but sometimes with traces of impurities and flavourings. Traditionally it is made by distilling liquid from fermented cereal grains.
Styles of Vodka
There are two major styles of vodka.
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Neutral:
These Vodkas have the lightest possible flavour. They are not completely lacking in all flavour and they should be smooth, light and dry on the palate. The world's largest vodka brand, Smirnoff,is the best-known.
Characterful:
These vodkas retain some more flavour and they can have a more mouth filling texture compared with the neutral style. The Flavours will remain very light and are accurately described as neutral. Nevertheless, producers can use these delicate flavours in combination with a smooth, mouth filling texture on the palate in order to create a wide range of subtly different, characterful premium vodka.
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Historically, vodka is associated with countries such as Russia, Poland, Finland and Sweden.
However, vodka is made throughout the world at all quality levels, and almost every vodka-producing country there exists outstanding expressions of vodka.
