By Jenna Wittenberg
Russians are known for their love of Vodka. Seeing as how the Russian word for water, vodka, is the root of the word vodka, you can tell just how deep their love for this liquor goes. Now-a-days however, the love for Vodka is spread throughout the world and into many cultures. As the love for Vodka grows around the world so does the number of Vodkas being made around the world. Did your favorite make the cut of our top 5 Vodkas around the world?
5) U'luvka
Our first stop is Poland to try the U’luvka Vodka. This smooth, sipping Vodka gets its name from the Polish word, meaning legless. While I thought it was alluding to the way one feels after a few too many sips, it actually refers to the style of Vodka glass King Sigismund III of Poland preferred to drink from. The Poles had the right idea in mind when making this Vodka, the behind this liquor was to be able to party all night and not have the feel the aftermath the next morning.
4) Xellent
We head a few countries west to the peace keeping country of Switzerland. Even when it comes to Vodka the Swiss prefer not to take sides. As Switzerland’s only Vodka, Xellent is made from the water of a glacier and rye, and is then triple distilled.
3) Elit by Stolichnaya
Elit is the sister product of the better known Stoli vodka. This Vodka makes our list because of its unique filtration process. The clean aftertaste of Stolichnaya Elit is a result of its freeze filtration process in which the Vodka is dropped to zero degrees Fahrenheit. At this point the density increases, making it easier to remove impurities. With a Vodka hailing from Russia, you can’t go wrong.
2) Effen Vodka
The reigning champ of the Netherland, Effen Vodka takes a different stance on how Vodka should be made. While most Vodka is filtered through charcoal, Effen goes through a distillation process, called continuous rectification, in which it is filtered through peat hundreds of times. This gives it a mellow, grassy flavor that will have you asking for some Effen Vodka.
1) Russian Standard
We head back to Russia on more time for this classic Vodka. Dmitri Mendelev, alchemist and creator of the Periodic table of Elements, came up with the classic formula that Russian Standard Vodka is based on, hundreds of years ago. Hand selected wheat and the world’s softest water is filtered through charcoal, silver and quartz. The number one Vodka, from the number one Vodka producing country in the world, could it get any better?
