Spirits » Vodka

The origins of Vodka are shrouded in mystery, but the two leading candidates are Russia and Poland. Vodka is associated and very popular in both countries where, the eighty proof liquor is drunk with meals. The name Vodka is thought to be derived from the Russian word "Voda” meaning water. Vodka is thought to have been made for medicinal purposes as an anaesthetic and disinfectant at the beginning of the 12th Century. It was not until the middle of the 14th Century that Vodka was discovered as an intoxicating drink and used as part of religious ceremonies due to the belief that it contained its own spirit. Although Vodka had been popular in Eastern Europe for hundreds of years, it was not until the 1930's when the Smirnoff Company opened for business and today Vodka commands 20% of the market in America. It is one of the most popular drinks worldwide. Vodka may be distilled from any starch/sugar rich plant matter. Most Vodka today is produced from grains such as rye, wheat, barley and corn where it is distilled at very high proofs and filtered, the higher the proof, the less flavour and clearer colour. Most Vodka has no colour and carries the clean aroma and character of pure spirit from the still. While most Vodkas are unflavoured, a wide variety of flavoured Vodkas have long been produced. Drinkswell offers a wide range of Vodkas from around the globe, not only from the mother countries of Russian and Poland, but also from France, Sweden, Finland, America and Belgium. These Vodkas include flavoured varieties of strawberry, raspberry, vanilla, cherry, lemon, honey and chocolate, and brands such as Starka, Krupnik, Zubrowka, Grey Goose, Citadelle, Finlandia, Wisniowka, Belvedere and Ciroc.