Vodka

The origins of Vodka and, for that matter, its name have long been disputed, especially between the Russians and Poles. What is known is that the art of distillation moved from Europe around the 12th century, and is likely to have reached the grain-growing region that now embraces Poland, Belarus, Ukraine and into Western Russia. So technically vodka probably got to Poland first. During the 12th century it was being distilled for medicinal purposes, but a taste was soon acquired for its use as a spirit.

Vodka means 'little water' and in the 16th century was produced in pot stills at a relatively low alcoholic strength and with a much stronger taste. Today there are three main styles of Vodka:

Western Vodka

Those made in Scandinavia, Western Europe and in America. They are generally distilled to be completely neutral on the nose and to offer only the clean taste of alcohol.

Eastern European Vodka

Also termed as "Character Vodkas" due to being more flavoursome and having a richer aroma than their Western counterparts. Polish Vodka is known for being sweet and slightly oily - generally made from rye, but more recently from potatoes.

Flavoured Vodka

What began as a medicine, rich in herbs and spices, developed into an industrial size production of Vodka to be consumed for pleasure.

There is today a vodka revolution around the world, the category booming and it now being celebrated as it should have been all those centuries ago.