What is vodka made of?

Many of us are looking at everything with a fresh perspective these days. So, here at American Liquor Co. we thought it was a good time to shed light on how vodka is made and some common misconceptions about vodka.

AN OVERVIEW OF VODKA

The number one misconception about vodka is that it all tastes the same. A tasteless, colorless, neutral spirit, that’s just a backdrop for Moscow Mules and plays well with other spirits. That’s an old-school mindset. Today, distillers across the country take pride in the notes and nuances of their handcrafted vodkas. Even the TTB (The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) has changed their answer to ‘what is vodka?’. Backing down from their previous position, they now state that requiring “vodka be without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color no longer reflects consumer expectations and should be eliminated.” As a neutral spirit, it is still required to be distilled to190 proof, extracting much of the taste from the source material, but not necessarily removing it entirely. So, let’s take a closer look into vodka preparation methods.

WHAT IS VODKA MADE OF?

Vodka is typically made from grains or potatoes but can also be made from fruit such as apples and grapes or other crops like molasses and soybeans. The classic vodka ingredients are rye, wheat, corn, and potato but you’ll also find rice and barley used as vodka grains.

POTATO VS GRAIN VODKA

Since the distilling process extracts much of the flavor from the base ingredient, the distinction between the ingredients is subtle but it’s definitely there. Wheat vodkas are crisp, slightly tart, and have a lighter mouthfeel than the other vodkas. Rye has a similar taste with a spicy or peppery note, similar to the grain itself.  Corn vodka tends to be slightly sweeter, with a velvety mouthfeel and notes of butter and vanilla.

Compared to grain-based vodkas, potato vodkas are creamier in texture with a grassy earthiness that’s full and rounded. While you may hear claims that one base is better than another, in reality, they’re just different in fermentation rate, taste, and mouthfeel.

BLENDED VODKA

While most vodka brands are made from a single grain, there are some made from a combination of two grains, mostly wheat, and rye. Because they’re from the same family it’s easy to blend them together. The only 4-crop vodka blend is American Liquor Co vodka made from wheat, rye, potato, and corn.

THE VODKA PRODUCTION PROCESS

STEP 1: VODKA MASH PREPARATION

The grain, or grains, are mixed with water and sometimes malt is added to facilitate the conversion of starch to sugar. This mixture is also called vodka mash.

STEP 2: STERILIZATION & INOCULATION

To prevent bacteria growth, the vodka mash is sterilized by heating to the boiling point. It’s then inoculated with lactic acid bacteria, which provides a highly acidic environment for yeast to flourish. When the desired acidity is reached, the vodka mash is sterilized again and a pure yeast culture is introduced.

STEP 3: THE VODKA FERMENTATION PROCESS

The vodka mash is then stored and fermented for several weeks. During this time, the yeast enzymes break down the simple sugars in the mixture, including dextrose and maltose, into ethyl alcohol. When the fermentation process is complete, the mixture is strained, and the liquid, containing the ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is distilled.

STEP 4: THE VODKA DISTILLATION PROCESS

Pot stills are often used for small-batch craft distilling, which may involve multiple distillations, whereas column stills produce large quantities of spirit in less time in a continuous distillation process. During the distillation process, the liquid is heated and vaporized. Since alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water, the ethanol is captured, separating it from the water and other compounds. As the alcohol vapor cools, it returns to its liquid state.

At this point in the vodka production process,  the first part of the distillate or ‘heads’ contains ethanol but it also contains methanol, acetone, and other compounds that can be volatile or toxic and is discarded. The mid-section is the coveted ‘heart’ with the desired ethanol. The final section, the ‘tails’, contains fusel oils and other impurities, which is separated from the heart and may be redistilled. An experienced and talented distiller knows exactly where to make the cuts to get the best quality product. This is where the art of distilling comes into play and can yield vastly different results.

STEP 5: FILTRATION

Distillers often filter the hearts, typically with charcoal but other materials may be used as well. This step removes trace impurities that can impart off-flavors and impact the texture or mouthfeel of the final product. Heavy filtration makes for a thinner vodka and light to no filtration yields a fuller-bodied vodka. The type of filtration system used can also alter the taste. This step is sometimes used to compensate for inferior distillation practices. Additives like sugar and citric acid are also sometimes used to correct for off-flavors. You may not realize that your vodka contains additives because producers are not required to list them on the label.

STEP 6: WATER ADDITION

Vodka is distilled to 190 proof, meaning it is 95% alcohol. Water is added until the vodka is the desired ABV (alcohol by volume). By law in the US, vodka has to be at least 80 proof or 40% alcohol.

STEP 7: VODKA BOTTLING PROCESS

In the final step, the vodka is bottled and capped, and put in cartons for distribution. This is usually a mechanized process but some craft distillers bottle by hand.

WHAT MAKES AMERICAN LIQUOR CO VODKA DIFFERENT?

You’ve probably heard claims by some vodka brands that their vodka was ‘distilled x times’, claiming ultimate purity. While it is true that distilling removes impurities, it also removes the compounds that impart taste and mouthfeel. In fact, some ‘premium’ brands with multiple distillations use additives to improve the taste.

With American Liquor Co Vodka, what you see is what you get. Made from vodka handcrafted across the Midwest, we start with locally grown winter wheat, light rye, Red River Valley Potato, and white corn. Water and yeast. That’s it. No additives like sugar, citric acid, or WONF (With Other Natural Flavors.)

If you’re wondering why there aren’t more blended vodkas and any other 4-crop blends, the answer is simple. It’s hard to make an excellent vodka and even harder to balance the different notes. Like a fine blended whiskey, our 4-crop vodka blend is a harmonious, multilayered spirit balancing the notes of each ingredient in one glass. Clean and pure but more complex in terms of taste, aroma, and mouthfeel than most vodkas, American Liquor Co is a genuine taste of the Midwest.