🌾 Vodka and grain spirits

Vodka is a spirit made from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin (potatoes, cereals or other raw material), distilled so that the smell and taste of the raw material are selectively reduced. In the EU its strength is at least 37.5 % vol., colouring is forbidden, and only natural substances present in the distillate may flavour it.

The alcohol is obtained by fermentation with yeast; it may be distilled further or treated with activated charcoal. Up to 8 g/l of sugar is allowed. If the vodka is not made from potatoes or cereals, the label must say “produced from…” followed by the raw material.

Separate categories are flavoured vodka (category 31, up to 100 g/l of sugar), grain spirit (category 3, from 35 % vol.) and Korn. Protected names are Polska Wódka, herbal vodka made with bison grass from the Northern Podlasie Lowland, Svensk Vodka and Vodka of Finland. A grain spirit distilled below 95 % vol. may be called “grain brandy”, with “grain” replaced by the name of the cereal.

Poland and Ukraine are the main homelands of vodka. In Ukraine distilling is known from the 15th century, and vodka production spread in the first half of the 16th century, mostly from rye. Most distilleries operated in Polissia and on the Left Bank, where potatoes, rye and molasses were available.

Why it matters to you. “Vodka” does not guarantee potatoes: look for “produced from…”. Flavoured vodka is a separate category, and “Polska Wódka” is a protected name. Charcoal filtering is a permitted method, not a sign of quality. WHO: no safe level of alcohol exists.

Other sections of this topic: Ukrainian spirit traditions; Whisky; Gin and juniper spirits; Caraway spirits and aquavit; Asian spirit traditions; Fruit brandies; Pomace spirits; Liqueurs. All sections are gathered on the “Spirits” page.