Vodka & Other Neutral Spirits (Chapter 3) Review Questions wi th Answers Vodka ✅"Vodka is a clear, unaged spirit that is often considered to be completely neutral, meaning that it is without distinct characteristics, flavor, color, or aroma. This is, however, somewhat mistaken in that vodka produced in the United States often has traces of flavor from both the ethyl alcohol present and the type of water used in its production. Moreover, vodka produced outside of the United States is often made in ways that allow its raw materials to express themselves, and many imported vodkas will exhibit subtle flavors, textures, and aromas." Excerpt From: Nickles, Jane. "2015 Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide." SoWE, 2014 -12-24. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright. Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itun.es/us/YPq55.l U.S. Definition of Neutral Spirit & Vodka ✅"In order to adequately discuss the United States Standards of Identity for vodka, one must first define "neutral spirits." Accordingly, in the United States, neutral spirits are defined as: • Distilled spirits produced from any material • Spirits distilled at or above 190 proof (95% alcohol by volume) and bottled at not less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume) In the United States, vodka is thus defined as: • Neutral spirits so distilled, or so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, so as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color It is noteworthy that in the United States, the category of vodka and neutral spirits is the only spirit category that is required to be distilled at or above 190 proof." Excerpt From: Nickles, Jane. "2015 Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide." SoWE, 2014 -12-24. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright. Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/2015 -
certified -specialist/id971311730?mt=11 EU Definition of Vodka ✅"The European Union has slightly different standards for vodka, which include the following: • It must be produced from potatoes, cereals, and/or other agricultural raw materials. • It must be distilled and/or rectified so that the organoleptic characteristics of the raw materials used and the by -products formed in fermentation are "selectively reduced." • It may be redistilled or treated with activated charcoal or other appropriate materials. • It must be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% alcohol by volume (75 proof). • Flavorings that are to be found naturally in distilled products may be added (these include glycerol and sugar). • Other flavorings that may give the product "special organoleptic characteristics" may also be added. • If produced from base materials other than potatoes or grains, the name of the base materials must be stated on the label." Excerpt From: Nickles, Jane. "2015 Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide." SoWE, 2014 -12-24. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright. Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itun.es/us/YPq55.l Origin of Vodka ✅"The origins of vodka are difficult to pinpoint. Depending on which sources you believe, the first documented production was either in eighth -century Poland or ninth -century Russia. If one places the origin in Russia, then it makes sense that the typical a rchaic description of ardent spirits, "water of life," was eventually reduced to simply voda, the Russian word for water. Over the years, it stands to reason, the term acquired an additional letter, k, and the spirit became known as vodka, as it has been n amed since the fourteenth century. An alternate theory refers to the Polish word wodka, the earliest known mention of which can be found dating to 1405 in the Akta Grotskie court documents of the Palatine of Sandomierz, Poland. It is used there in reference to a medicinal drink." Excerpt From: Nickles, Jane. "2015 Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide." SoWE, 2014 -12-24. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright. Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itun.es/us/YPq55.l Base Materials to Make Vodka ✅"As previously mentioned, vodka has always been distilled from the most plentiful and least expensive materials, including potatoes and various grains, primarily corn. There are no restrictions on what may be used to produce vodka, with the exception of th e EU standard that it be an agricultural product. There are even versions produced using grapes, sugarcane, or sugar beets. The majority of vodkas, however, are made from a mixture of grains. Similar to those used for other grain -based spirits, grains used to produce vodkas must first undergo the conversion process. The choice of base material, and its impact on the final product, is discussed later in this chapter under the heading "Discussing Vodka's Taste and Style." Excerpt From: Nickles, Jane. "2015 Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide." SoWE, 2014 -12-24. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright. Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itun.es/us/YPq55.l
