Do you Know What Your Favorite Vodka is Made From?
Vodka can be made from virtually any sugar source. As long as the base ingredient contains enough fermentable sugars, you can make vodka.
Our staff conducted over 500 vodka tasting events across the the United States in 2023. We asked thousands of vodka drinkers to name the base ingredient in their favorite vodka. Shockingly, only 1 in 10 vodka drinkers correctly identified the base ingredient in their favorite vodka.
In the diverse world of vodka, the base ingredient plays a pivotal role in defining the spirit’s character. There is no single answer for “what is vodka made from.” This review focuses on the finest vodkas distilled from different agricultural products – wheat, corn, potato, sugarcane, and grapes – highlighting the unique taste profiles attributed to each base.
1. Wheat
Wheat vodkas are renowned for their smoothness and subtle sweetness. They typically offer a refined, light, and crisp finish.
Top Pick: Grey Goose (France) stands out in the wheat vodka category, delivering a clean, smooth taste with a gentle hint of sweetness, perfect for martinis or enjoying neat.
2. Corn
Corn vodkas are appreciated for their exceptional smoothness and mild sweetness, thanks to the natural sugars in corn. This results in a creamy, almost velvety texture.
Top Pick: Tito’s Handmade Vodka (USA) is a superb example of corn-based vodka. With its rich, smooth flavor and a touch of sweetness, it’s versatile for various cocktails.
3. Potato
Vodkas made from potatoes are known for their full-bodied, creamy texture and robust flavor, often with an earthy nuance.
Top Pick: Chopin Potato Vodka (Poland) exemplifies the luxurious texture and rich, smooth taste characteristic of potato vodkas, making it an ideal choice for a sumptuous martini.
4. Sugarcane
Sugarcane vodkas, though less common, offer a distinct, light, and clean taste with a subtle sweetness akin to rum.
Top Pick: feləne® Vodka (USA), crafted from organic sugarcane, shines as a top choice in this category. Its crisp, clean profile with a subtle hint of natural sweetness is perfect for creating refreshing and innovative cocktails.
5. Grapes
Grape vodkas are celebrated for their smooth, fruity, and slightly floral notes, presenting a softer and more rounded profile than grain-based vodkas.
Top Pick: CÎROC Vodka (France) is a standout grape-based vodka, offering a delicate fruitiness and a smooth, clean finish. It is particularly suited for crafting elegant, light cocktails.
The base ingredient of a vodka profoundly influences its flavor, texture, and overall appeal. From the smooth and sweet nuances of wheat and corn to the rich and earthy tones of potato, the unique crispness of sugarcane in Felene, and the soft fruitiness of grape in CÎROC, each category presents its star. Whether your preference lies in traditional grain vodkas or the distinctive profiles of sugarcane and grape, there’s a world of flavors waiting to be explored.
Beyond Taste: What are the Major Differences Based on What Vodka is Made From?
Aside from taste, there are several notable differences in vodka based on its core ingredients:
- Texture and Mouthfeel: The choice of base ingredient can significantly influence the texture and mouthfeel of the spirit. For instance, potato-based vodkas are known for their creamy, dense texture, imparting a subtly earthy and nutty flavor. In contrast, corn-based vodkas are renowned for their mellow and slightly sweet profile, coupled with a velvety mouthfeel and notes of vanilla or buttery elements.
- Shelf Life: Vodka generally has a long shelf life, and the primary ingredients don’t significantly impact its longevity. However, if the spirit has added flavors or infusions, it’s advisable to consume it within a couple of years for optimal taste.
- Gluten Content: For gluten-free vodkas, grains like wheat, barley, or rye are avoided. Instead, they are distilled from sources like potatoes, corn, or grapes to ensure they don’t contain gluten.
- Production Process: How vodka is made can impact the profile of the spirit. The production process can vary slightly depending on the base material. For example, grain-based alcohols require additional steps during manufacturing, The production process can vary slightly depending on the base material. For instance, grain-based alcohols require additional steps in their manufacturing process compared to other bases. This includes fermenting the mash under specific conditions which can influence the overall character of the spirit. Different processing techniques can lead to variations in the final product beyond just the flavor, such as the presence of specific flavors or the suppression of certain bacterial growths.
- Flavor Additions and Infusions: The process of creating flavored or infused vodka is also impacted by the base ingredient. For example, infusing fruits, herbs, or spices in distilled spirit is common for creating flavored liquors. The choice of base can affect how these flavors are extracted and presented in the final product.
In summary, the differences in vodka based on core ingredients extend beyond taste to aspects like texture, mouthfeel, shelf life, gluten content, production process, and the creation of flavored varieties. These factors contribute to the overall experience and quality of the spirit.
Starch-Based Ingredients Versus Sugar-Based Ingredients: What’s the Difference?
The fermentation process in vodka production varies significantly between starch-based products like wheat, corn, and potato, and sugarcane or grapes.
For starch-based products, the process involves two main stages: liquefaction and saccharification. During liquefaction, enzymes convert insoluble starches to soluble ones, and in saccharification, further enzymes reduce these to sugar molecules. This is necessary because starch-based ingredients do not naturally contain sufficient fermentable sugars.
In contrast, sugarcane and grapes naturally contain fermentable sugars. The fermentation process for these ingredients is more straightforward, as they can be directly fermented without the need for additional treatment to expose sugars.
Overall, the key difference lies in the initial treatment of the base ingredients to produce fermentable sugars, which is more complex for starch-based products compared to sugarcane or grapes.
What Your Vodka is Made From has a Major Influence on Taste and Profile
The choice between a starch and sugar base in vodka production significantly impacts the spirit’s taste and mouthfeel. Starch-based vodkas, derived from ingredients like wheat, corn, or potato, typically exhibit a fuller body and can have nuanced flavors. For example, wheat might lend a light sweetness, while potato can contribute a creamy, dense texture.
On the other hand, vodkas made from sugarcane or grapes generally offer a lighter, cleaner profile. These sugar-based vodkas can have a smoother mouthfeel and may present subtle sweet or fruity undertones, differentiating them from the earthier or richer notes often found in starch-based vodkas.
