Vodka is a spirit whose heritage has been carried on through centuries and within the past century, it has become a spirit not to be reckoned with. As a spirit, vodka has been the subject of debate and different philosophies as to how it should be presented in cocktail culture due to its perceived neutrality. Some believe that vodka is a neutral spirit, and US law even classifies vodka as colorless, odorless and tasteless. Others believe that there are recognizable varieties depending on the brand and style of distillation, and that vodka has its special place in the spirit world, as well as, the cocktail world. Personally, I believe that vodka if given enough space, can maintain its identity within a cocktail and its presence can be stated loud and clear when mixed with other elements. But in order to understand this side of the debate, we have to give our best to understand this wise spirit, learning its language and how it expresses itself. Its origin and historical background, like in other spirits, are crucial elements to understanding how vodka works the best.
Vodka is said to have been developed in Eastern Europe and people most commonly associate its origins in Poland and Russia. The Russian word, voda or Polish word, woda means “small water” and is the diminutive of zhizenennia voda, which translates to “water of life.” It was named after water for its crystal apperance, which reminded people of a cold, clear, mountain spring. It was a spirit intended to help its drinker keep a clear mind and warm blood. To this date, Poland and Russia have played the largest roles in the development and popularization of vodka; but they haven’t been the only players, Sweden and Finland have also played a part in its increasing popularity.
During the Middle Ages, vodka was used mainly for medicinal purposes. During the mid-15th century, people began to produce vodka by a process called pot distillation, which enabled the spirit to retain much more of its character. The beginning of the 16th century marked an increase in the exportation of vodka, and the economies of exporting countries (like Russia and Poland) were starting to see the results of the vodka trade. It wasn’t until the 18th century that vodka gained recognition as a valuable commodity.
Catherine II of Russia (1729-1792), also known as Catherine the Great, approached the production and selling of vodka or “public wine,” very seriously. She realized that if noblemen started distilling their own vodkas, they could possibly create a monopoly. Catherine the Great introduced “otkup,” a farming fee in Russia, as well as, other manufacturing and trade regulations. Those who wanted to be in the vodka business had to pay the Russian Treasury, have their own brand and be responsible for the quality of their grains and vodka. Nobles were allowed to make as much vodka as their estates could manage: the bigger the estate, the more vodka you could produce. This led to a competitive environment between the producers, resulting in higher quality products. The discovery of charcoal’s purifying properties and its subsequent inclusion in the filtration process of vodka was a great step in the evolution of vodka as a product. Russia started to export vodka widely around Western Europe; Catherine the Great was sending Russian vodka to other European VIPs, like Frederick the Great and Swedish king, Gustav III. The influence of vodka and its wide spread reputation was getting stronger than ever. Vodka was awakening and on its way to become one of the world’s most popular spirits.
In the beginning of the 19th century, vodka began to invade Western Europe and finally reached the cultural epicenter of the era: Paris, France. In 1814, Russian vodka was first served in a Parisian restaurant called “Veri,” which was acquired on lease by the Russian government for the purposes of Russian officers to dine and drink there. Nevertheless, the French nobles and aristocrats became quite fond of vodka. In 1884, “the Technical Committee” was created in Russia to control the quality and the production methods of vodka in the motherland. Producing a quality and consistent spirit was a major priority.
After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, vodka was prohibited in Russia until 1936. Its prohibition unintentionally caused vodka to spread globally, as producers started to look for refuge elsewhere and many took their distillation methods and knowledge outside of Russia’s borders. Forced to flee from the new Bolshevik regime in Russia, the Smirnov family moved and re-established their vodka distilleries in Constantinople (now Istanbul) then Lwow (formerly Poland but now part of Ukraine) where they began to sell vodka under the name “Smirnoff” in 1924. Their path led them to an old friend and supplier before the Revolution, Rudolph Kunett; Kunett, a Russian immigrant living in the United States, bought the rights to produce Smirnoff vodka in the United States and unable to afford the necessary sales licenses, he sold the rights to Smirnoff Vodka in 1938 to John Martin, who created the vodka frenzy by marketing it as “white whiskey.” Martin softened the market and opened the door to other vodka producers. Finally, the long and tiring path of vodka was over: vodka became very popular and just exploded on the market.
Vodka was on the map and it wasn’t going anywhere. Vodka started to make its appearance on the big screen with: Smirnoff in 1962 “Dr. No” starring Sean Connery, Finlandia “Die Another Day” staring Pierce Brosnan, “Sex and the City” and many other movies and shows. Finlandia vodka launched its US campaign and reached its high popularity level very fast in 1970, in Scandinavia and USA. Absolut vodka followed after, going through a couple of major changes. Once launched on the global market in 1979, it never stopped its growth. The result of all these events was the creation of the vodka categories such as, premium and ultra premium. From the relatively recent brands Aylesbury Duck vodka was launched in 2012 and has slowly started to win over the cocktail scene. The vodka momentum started before the release of the court document Polish Akta Grotzkie recorder of deeds in 1405 and has not slowed down very much since. The spirit of vodka endures to this very day. It seems like the sky is the limit…
Salute!
Danilo Dacha Bozovic
3/17/2014, New York City
Vodka is said to have been developed in Eastern Europe and people most commonly associate its origins in Poland and Russia. The Russian word, voda or Polish word, woda means “small water” and is the diminutive of zhizenennia voda, which translates to “water of life.” It was named after water for its crystal apperance, which reminded people of a cold, clear, mountain spring. It was a spirit intended to help its drinker keep a clear mind and warm blood. To this date, Poland and Russia have played the largest roles in the development and popularization of vodka; but they haven’t been the only players, Sweden and Finland have also played a part in its increasing popularity.
During the Middle Ages, vodka was used mainly for medicinal purposes. During the mid-15th century, people began to produce vodka by a process called pot distillation, which enabled the spirit to retain much more of its character. The beginning of the 16th century marked an increase in the exportation of vodka, and the economies of exporting countries (like Russia and Poland) were starting to see the results of the vodka trade. It wasn’t until the 18th century that vodka gained recognition as a valuable commodity.
Catherine II of Russia (1729-1792), also known as Catherine the Great, approached the production and selling of vodka or “public wine,” very seriously. She realized that if noblemen started distilling their own vodkas, they could possibly create a monopoly. Catherine the Great introduced “otkup,” a farming fee in Russia, as well as, other manufacturing and trade regulations. Those who wanted to be in the vodka business had to pay the Russian Treasury, have their own brand and be responsible for the quality of their grains and vodka. Nobles were allowed to make as much vodka as their estates could manage: the bigger the estate, the more vodka you could produce. This led to a competitive environment between the producers, resulting in higher quality products. The discovery of charcoal’s purifying properties and its subsequent inclusion in the filtration process of vodka was a great step in the evolution of vodka as a product. Russia started to export vodka widely around Western Europe; Catherine the Great was sending Russian vodka to other European VIPs, like Frederick the Great and Swedish king, Gustav III. The influence of vodka and its wide spread reputation was getting stronger than ever. Vodka was awakening and on its way to become one of the world’s most popular spirits.
In the beginning of the 19th century, vodka began to invade Western Europe and finally reached the cultural epicenter of the era: Paris, France. In 1814, Russian vodka was first served in a Parisian restaurant called “Veri,” which was acquired on lease by the Russian government for the purposes of Russian officers to dine and drink there. Nevertheless, the French nobles and aristocrats became quite fond of vodka. In 1884, “the Technical Committee” was created in Russia to control the quality and the production methods of vodka in the motherland. Producing a quality and consistent spirit was a major priority.
After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, vodka was prohibited in Russia until 1936. Its prohibition unintentionally caused vodka to spread globally, as producers started to look for refuge elsewhere and many took their distillation methods and knowledge outside of Russia’s borders. Forced to flee from the new Bolshevik regime in Russia, the Smirnov family moved and re-established their vodka distilleries in Constantinople (now Istanbul) then Lwow (formerly Poland but now part of Ukraine) where they began to sell vodka under the name “Smirnoff” in 1924. Their path led them to an old friend and supplier before the Revolution, Rudolph Kunett; Kunett, a Russian immigrant living in the United States, bought the rights to produce Smirnoff vodka in the United States and unable to afford the necessary sales licenses, he sold the rights to Smirnoff Vodka in 1938 to John Martin, who created the vodka frenzy by marketing it as “white whiskey.” Martin softened the market and opened the door to other vodka producers. Finally, the long and tiring path of vodka was over: vodka became very popular and just exploded on the market.
Vodka was on the map and it wasn’t going anywhere. Vodka started to make its appearance on the big screen with: Smirnoff in 1962 “Dr. No” starring Sean Connery, Finlandia “Die Another Day” staring Pierce Brosnan, “Sex and the City” and many other movies and shows. Finlandia vodka launched its US campaign and reached its high popularity level very fast in 1970, in Scandinavia and USA. Absolut vodka followed after, going through a couple of major changes. Once launched on the global market in 1979, it never stopped its growth. The result of all these events was the creation of the vodka categories such as, premium and ultra premium. From the relatively recent brands Aylesbury Duck vodka was launched in 2012 and has slowly started to win over the cocktail scene. The vodka momentum started before the release of the court document Polish Akta Grotzkie recorder of deeds in 1405 and has not slowed down very much since. The spirit of vodka endures to this very day. It seems like the sky is the limit…
Salute!
Danilo Dacha Bozovic
3/17/2014, New York City