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The History of Vodka 
The exact origins of VODKA are a little bit of a myth every expert has a different story, the one thing we can be sure of is that it was originally from Russia, Poland or Persia. The Polish & Russian's both argue Vodka is their discovery although there are also historical indications the original Vodka may also have come from Persia. The name Vodka stems from the Russian word "voda" meaning water, the Polish word "woda" The first person to discover pure alcohol was probably an Arab alchemist in around the sixth century. Vodka, which in some forms is very close to being pure alcohol, appeared in Europe much later. 
Spirits were originally used medicines & antiseptics with great effort taken conceal the method used in refinement by Alchemists. In the 8th century, the polish left wine out over winter to freeze & discovered strong alcohol. The first identifiable Polish vodkas appeared in the 11th century when they were called 'gorzalka' it was used as a medicine until the 15th century. In 1405 the polish declare vodka was originally produced and then distributed to Russia. Russian's proclaim production of vodka started in the 9th century, however it is not until the 11th century the first recognized Vodka was distilled in Khynovsk. Until the 15th century distilled liquor was only used for medicinal purposes.  In the 15th century Russia learned distilling techniques from Italy. Russian Vodka distillers started to use honey, fruit, herbs, spices to improve the taste & aroma of their vodka's, pot distillation was used to eradicate impurities Russian vodka was first exported to Sweden in 1505. Posnan and Krakow produced Poland first Vodka exports shortly after in the early 16th century. The 16th century also saw vodka becoming sold as a liquor beverage in Sweden. It had previously been sold only as a medicine. There were attempts to ban Vodka production as it was seen as unhealthy, however it was decided that the taxes raised from vodka sales was more significant than the Swedish populations health. 
Early in the 16th century Jan Obracht Poland's King allowed alcohol to be produced and sold. Then 1572 he restricted the production and sales of alcohol to the wealthy, taxing them for the luxury. Late in the 16th century in Krakow & Posnan Poland began significant vodka manufacturing. However soon Gdansk became Poland's principal producer of vodka until 1972 when Poland was divided. Dutchmen opened the original distillery in Gdansk which looking at the quality of Holland current number one vodka kettle One would suggest they produced a quality vodka. In the 14th century a Ambassador from England who was visiting Moscow was the first to call vodka the Russian national drink. Then in the 16th century both Poland and Finland fixed vodka as their national drink. However it was not until the 17th century, that Russia finally made vodka their national drink.  The 17th century also saw Poland start exporting vodka to Northern Europe & Russia. In the 17th and 18th centuries Polish vodka exports gave Poland important trade, as Polish vodka grew popular with drinkers across Western & Eastern Europe. In the 18th century The Russians discovered charcoal filtration, a new method of purifying alcohol that removed excessive by-products from the vodka. Before charcoal the Russians had used felt and river sand for filtration in vodka production. Russia also started making different styles of vodka using wheat, potatoes & rye. The 18th century, the Polish vodka distillation procedures had become seriously more sophisticated than those of Russia & Sweden. Polish Vodka distilleries started using triple distillation. In the 19th century Vodka already a huge part of Russian culture, was helped by Russian soldiers involved in the war against Napoleon spread across Europe spreading awareness of vodka. Leading to a massive Increasing in Vodka's popularity. In 1894 Russia introduced laws that gave the Russia state a total monopoly on all Vodka production and distribution of vodka in Russia. Russia was suffering the rampant effects of large scale alcohol intoxication to it citizens & also had great economic benefits by controlling vodka.  At the end of the 19th century the Russian state officially changed the name voda meaning water in Russian to vodka , with all distilleries controlled by the Russian state which implemented regulation on the manufacture procedures for vodka to ensure the quality of Russian Vodka was of a certain standard. The early 19th century as Vodka Distilling fever hit Poland was the defining period in Polish vodka production. Crucial to this was the evolution of technology due to the beginning of the industrial age and changes in the base ingredients, Potatoes replaced grain, and profitability soared. In 1836 there were almost 5000 vodka distilleries operating in Galicia, the Austrian section of the separated Poland. In 1917 the Russian Revolution took place after the revolution the state seized all private distilleries in Moscow. A number of Russian vodka makers emigrated, leaving Russia with their vodka making skills and unique vodka recipes. The most famous refugee revitalized his brand in Paris France, creating the famous brand Smirnoff, today again made in Moscow. In the 1940's Vodka started to grow in popularity in the Western World, Whilst in the midst of the cold war Smirnoff was then sold to a UDV a US beverage company. 
Over the years, Russia experienced problems with vodka, namely moral issues, as drunkenness became an issue. In 1917, vodka was banned from the markets in Russia and, until 1936, beverages over 20% of alcohol content could not be sold due to problems with intoxicated citizens . Drunkenness, again, became an issue with the Russian culture. Consequently, Gorbachev tried to take control of this fact, increasing prices and imposing various policies, but that only forced the Russians to take the operation underground, creating an alcoholic mix called samogon, meaning self-brew. In 1918-1938 there was a massive decline in Polish distilling, due to the effect of World War 1. Then World War 2 left Poland's Vodka industry in turmoil. In the middle 19th century Sweden again appeared on the vodka map with the success of Vin & Spirit, who turned their brand Absolut vodka into one of world most popular spirit brands. In the 1960's & 70's Vodka enjoy prosperity in popularity in the USA and the UK. Vodka's mixability in cocktails & simple flavour led by simple mixed drinks like the screwdriver (just vodka & orange) gave direction to its colossal modern attractiveness. Vodka cocktails tend to be the most popular in all the worlds most chic bars. Today Russian vodka is mainly made in Moscow lead by brands like Smirnoff, and still extremely popular with Russians.  The massive growth of vodka in the 1990's can be largely attributed to the smart marketing campaigns of Smirnoff Vodka. Polish vodka is mainly produced in Polmos, with no fees licenses for those that produce classic polish vodka. Vodka's popularity has also lead to its expansion with the world most premium vodka now made outside of Russia & Poland. France produces Belvedere & Grey Goose, Holland produces Kettle One & Van Goth (with so many flavours), Sweden produces Cariel Vanilla Vodka, The USA produces Rain & Skyy, Australia produces Vodka O. Finally even New Zealand are producing quality Vodka with 42 Below winning best vodka in the world a couple of years ago.  So which is best as a cocktail mixologist each unique quality that mix best different ingredients, however if you like to flair skyy is the go.  |
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