FOOD HOLIDAY: National Vodka Day
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Crystal Head vodka gets our vote for “best packaging.” Photo courtesy Crystal Head. |
In June 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a nationwide law banning distribution of “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors. While ostensibly seeking to protect minors (irony: it’s teens who are in most need of information about gender preference)—the statute effectively makes it illegal to hold any gay pride events, speak in defense of gay rights or say that gay relationships are equal to heterosexual relationships. There have been calls around the world to boycott Russian vodka.
Today is National Vodka Day, a spirit that comprises up 25% of distilled alcohol sold in America. Skip the Stolichnaya, the biggest Russian brand, and other Russian imports. We’ve got 10 excellent brands to recommend that are neither made in Russia nor owned by Russian interests. Special diet alert: Vodkas distilled from corn or potatoes are gluten free. Crystal Head Vodka is certified kosher. Absolut Vodka is owned by the French group, Pernod Ricard, and distilled in Sweden. It is made from winter wheat. |
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Belvedere Vodka is owned by the French luxury goods company LVMH. It is produced in Poland from rye. Chopin Vodka is a family-owned Polish brand. The original expression was distilled from potatoes; the potato vodka has since been joined by vodkas distilled from rye and wheat, respectively. Crystal Head Vodka is owned by a Canadian company, Globefill Incorporated, and distilled from corn in Newfoundland. You pay a premium for the crystal skull bottle, but we love it! Here‘s the story behind the skull. The vodka is certified kosher by OU and is gluten-free. |
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Finlandia Vodka is owned by American distiller Brown-Forman and made from barley in Finland.
Grey Goose Vodka is produced by Bacardi Corporation, a family-owned spirits company that began in 1862 with rum production in Cuba. The company is now headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Grey Goose is distilled from winter wheat and bottled in France. Ketel One Vodka is made in Holland. It is jointly owned by the Nolet family of The Netherlands and Diageo, a multinational alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, England. Pinnacle Vodka is owned by American distiller Beam Inc., and produced in France. Skyy Vodka was founded in the U.S. and distilled by SKYY Spirits in San Francisco. The brand is now owned by the Campari Group of Milan, Italy. |
 Only the Chopin brand makes potato, rye and wheat vodkas. Photo courtesy Chopin Vodka. |
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Smirnoff Vodka, the world’s largest vodka brand, began in Russia in the 1800s but is now owned by British company Diageo. It is distilled from corn in Ireland, Italy, Scotland and the U.S. CHECK OUT THE HISTORY OF VODKA. |
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