Vodka is the great neutral spirit, prized for its clarity and its knack for disappearing into a drink while holding it together. It is distilled from grain, usually wheat or rye, or from potato, and sometimes from grape, then filtered until clean and precise.
Why base material and distillation shape the glass
Neutral does not mean identical. The grain, potato or grape you start with leaves a trace that survives distillation, and the filtering that follows does the rest. Wheat vodkas feel light and crisp with a hint of sweetness, rye brings a little more spice and grip, and potato gives a rounder, almost creamy weight across the tongue. Grape-based vodkas land softer and cleaner again. Taste two side by side at room temperature and the differences in texture and mouthfeel are easy to spot.
The vodka belt, premium brands and flavoured styles
Vodka's heartland is the vodka belt that runs across Eastern Europe and the Nordics, taking in Poland, Russia and Sweden, where it has been distilled from local rye, wheat and potato for centuries. Poland gives us Żubrówka, flavoured with bison grass, while modern premium producers push distillation and filtering to new extremes, and flavoured styles with herbs, citrus, pepper or berries widen the range. To serve, keep the bottle in the freezer and pour it neat with something salty, or build a Martini, a Bloody Mary or a Moscow Mule. Compare it with the rest of our spirits range.
Vodka FAQ
Is potato vodka better than grain vodka?
Neither is better, they are simply different. Potato vodka is rounder and fuller in the mouth, while grain vodka, wheat especially, is lighter and crisper.
How should I serve vodka?
Chill the bottle in the freezer and drink good vodka neat in a small glass, ideally with smoked fish or a salty bite. Otherwise it is the backbone of the Martini, Moscow Mule and Bloody Mary.
Does vodka really have any flavour?
Yes, subtly. It is built to be neutral, but base ingredient, distillation and filtering leave real differences in weight, sweetness and finish once you pay attention.