Remember to check out my rum and gin timelines too!

Where the Name comes from

‘Vodka’ didn’t appear in russian dictionaries unitl mid 19C, previously known as ‘bread wine’ (хлебное вино) as opposed to grape wine.

woda or voda means water in Slavic (or Russian), the ‘k’ turns it into the diminutive: vodka meaning “little water”, kind of in the same way we would add ‘ette’ to a work to imply a smaller version (cigarette, maisonette) of something bigger. So, thinking about it, a literal translation would be waterette or waterini! The word Vodka (though the word literally means ‘dear little water’) from voda was originally used to describe grain distillates that were used for medicinal purposes by Kremlin Monks.

-or-

vodit (водить) or razvodit, verb meaning “to dilute with water”

-or-

aqua vitae, latin and literally meaning “water of life”. In polish aqua vitae was spelt okowita (оковита)

Timeline

What about vodka? If we are talking about who invented the beverage, it really all boils down (excuse the pun) to the name itself. The debate as to who invented vodka has long been fought between Russians, Polish and even the Ukrainians.

We also have to ask, does vodka become vodka only when it’s drunk socially, or even if it is only medicinal?

Poland claims to have been making strong spirits from as far back as 8th C by freezing wine and extracting the unfrozen alcohol (hardly vodka at around 12%), Russia say that they have been making spirits since the 9th Century. The matter is further confused by the fact that borders in the region of Eastern Europe have moved in the last millennium. In the end, it is unlikely that either were making anything even close to vodka until 14th or 15th century.

You will notice that there is a lot of info to do with Smirnoff towards the end of the timeline. This is partly because the story of its rise to power is quite extraordinary and partly because Smirnoff is undeniably responsible for the popularity of vodka in the western world.

Enjoy…

1150 – In the medical school at Solerno, Northern Italy, Alchemists describe aqua ardens (burning water) in the Compendium Salerni.

1174 – A ‘distillery’ at Khylnovsk in Russia is reported in the Vyatka Chronicle.

Early Middle Ages – Polish are making wódka, but as a medicinal tincture or remedy.

15th Century – The first appearance of pot distillation in Russia arrives from Italy via Genoa merchants. Prior to that, seasoning, ageing and freezing were all used to remove impurities, as was precipitation using isinglass (‘karluk’) from the air bladders of sturgeons. Distillation became the first step in producing vodka, with the product being improved by precipitation using isinglass, milk or egg white.

1405 – First written reference in Poland to Polish wódka. The Polish claim that their vodka was distributed into Russia.

1429 – visitors brought aqua vitae to Moscow once again; this time it was served as the universal cure. The liquid was appreciated at the court of the young prince Vasily the Second Vasilievitch. As the drink was too strong, it was normally diluted with water

1505 – First record of Russian vodka being exported (to Sweden).

1530’s – Paracelsus (Swiss born alchemist, occultist and philosopher) gives us the modern term of Alcohol, taking it from the arabic word meaning ‘Finely divided’.

“Alcool is the must subtle constituent of each individual thing”

1533 – Russia. Novgorod Chronicles state that Vodka is being used frequently as a medicine. Often referred to as zhiznennia voda meaning ‘water of life’

The first ‘Tsar’s kabak’ is opened, a place where various alcoholic drinks, including vodka, could be bought and consumed. In the times of Ivan the Terrible kabaks were rather widely spread.

1534 – A Polish text seemingly discussing male grooming refers to ”vodka for washing the chin after shaving.” Herb infused vodkas were often used for the relief of aches and pains.

1534 – Polish born Stefan Falimierz publishes a work on herbs stating that vodka can be used to “to increase fertility and awaken lust”.

1572 –  In Russia Jan Obracht restricts the sale of vodka to the wealthy by placing heavy taxes on it.

Early 17th Century – Polish begin to export vodka from Posnan and Krakow.

1691 – Joannes Nolet begins distilling genever in the town of Schiedam, Holland. The distiller formed the beginnings of the now famous Ketel One Vodka. For ten generations, right up unitl present day, the Nolet family still run the distillery. Ketel One is named after the legendary Distilleerketel #1, A coal fired copper still encased in a brick jacket. The vodka at Ketel One is blended from ten different post stills at 76% ABV and rested in underground tiled vats.

The Ketel One distillery draws 25% of its total power from a windmill on the site, the distiller is now run by 10th generation – Carolus Nolet and his two sons.

1693 – Polish writer Jakub Kazimierz Haur publishes his book (wait for it…) Skład albo skarbiec znakomitych sekretów ekonomiej ziemiańskiej (A Treasury of Excellent Secrets about Landed Gentry’s Economy), with detailed recipes on how to make vodka from rye.

1716 – In Russia the ownership of distilleries is made exclusive to nobility.

1751 – First written reference to the word ‘vodka’ (as we know it) in Russia in a document describing distillery ownership to Empress Elizabeth.

1780 - Theodore Lowitz a Russian chemist commissioned by the Tsar, discovers that alcohol can be purified by the charcoal from charred hardwoods. He also discovered that besides taking away impurities the process also added a desirable smoothness to the drink.

1815 – Ivan Smirnov founds IA Smirnov distilling fruit spirits and vodka. The demand for vodka in Russia increases as soldiers return from the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

1831 – Pyotr Arsineyvich Smirnov is born. A serf (slave) and son of Arsyniy Smirnov.

1832 – Anaeas Coffey files a patent on a new and improved version of the Column (or Coffey) still. This invention marked a new dawn for vodka production of much higher purity.

1835 – Nikoli Gogol the Ukranian born writer published Taras Bulbar a romantic novel. The novel mentions the Ukranian word for Vodka, Horilka.

“and bring us a lot of horilka, but not of that fancy kind with raisins, or with any other such things—bring us horilka of the purest kind, give us that demon drink that makes us merry, playful and wild!”

Horilka’s are often flavoured with honey, milk, mint, raisins or other flavourings are are usually considered stronger and spicier.

1860 – Government of Russia promotes the consumption of state manufactured vodka.

1864 – Piotr Arsenievitch Smirnov founds a distillery near Cugunny Bridge, Moscow under the trading name P.A.Smirnov. His product became popular very quickly.

1870 – Pyotr Smirnov applies for the title of Perve

1875 – Vladamir Smirnov Born on February 7th, third son of Piotr.

1894 -  Dmitry Mendeleev, most famous for writing the periodic table of elements, is appointed Director of the Bureau of Weights and Measures in Russia. He published in his famous doctorate disertaiton ‘On Combining Alcohol and Water’ that a 40% water-alcohol mixture was the most homogeneous and he also developed the basic principles of today’s modern vodka industry.

The production and distribution of vodka in Russia becomes a state monopoly.

1885 – Vodka becomes available in bottles, until then it was only available in 12.5 litre buckets!

1886 – Vladimir Smirnov becomes a a member of the board of directors at PA Smirnov, age 21.

1898 – Piotr Smirnov dies, his business is equally shared between his 5 sons. Pyotr, Nicoliy and Vladamir take over the main running of the business, their two younger brothers are too young at this time.

1902 – By Russian law ”Moscow Vodka” is a clear, 40% alcohol by volume rye vodka made with soft “living” (undistilled) water, without added flavorings.

In Russia a state monopoly is put in place, governing the production and sale of vodka and hiking up taxes.

1911 – Vodka is 89% of the total alcohol consumed in Russia

1917 – Russian ‘October’ Revolution, the Bolshevik party confiscate all private industry in Moscow and share it amongst the population, including the Smirnov distillery and fromer home of Pyotr Smirnov. The Smirnov family become an enemy of the state due to their connections with the Old Russia and their riches made from fueling alcoholism.

1919 – Vladimir Smirnov is captured. He is tortured and sentenced to execution and on five separate occasions is led in front of the firing squad, only to be told he would be executed on the following day instead.

1923 – Vladimir Smirnov settles in France after criss-crossing through many European countries attempting to establish a name for Smirnoff Vodka.

Vladimir changes his name to Smirnoff and makes various attempts to sell his vodka in France under the same title.

1933 – Vladimir Smirnov is broke and meets fellow Russian and revoulution fugitive Rudolf Kunett. Rudolf had fled to America and Vladamir sold him the rights to produce and sell Smirnoff in the States.

1934 – Vladamir Smirnov dies, in his last letter to Rudolf Kunnet he writes about how he longs to see his families vodka rise back to its rightful place at the forefront of quality spirits.

1938 - Rudolf Kunett fails to make an impression with Smirnoff in the States, he contacts John Gilbert Martin, president of G.E Heublein & Brothers purveyor of liquor and fine foods, who agreed to buy the rights to Smirnoff for $14k.

Martin gives Kunett a job as Manageing Director of a new firm and a 5% commission on every bottle of Smirnoff he sells in the first 12 years. Martin markets the vodka as  ‘Smirnoff White Whiskey – No Smell, No Taste’, in post prohibition America it becomes very popular. Marketing it as whiksy was an accident as much as anything, with only ‘whicky’ caps available at the time of production.

1941 – John Martin meets Jack Morgan, proprietor of the Cock ‘n Bull in LA and owner of a ginger ale franchise. They come up with the idea of a vodka and ginger cocktail incorporating both of their products served in a copper mug. The Moscow Mule is born.

1942 – In WWII Russian soldiers are rationed 100g vodka per person per day as an energy boost, but it leads to drunkenness and sometimes poisoning as it is supplemented with antifreeze and meths.

1979 – Absolut Vodka launch a huge marketing camapaign with their  famous ‘Absolut Perfection’ posters, in which vodka becomes as much about the bottle as the liquid, leading consumers to think that their product is super-premium.

1985 – Gorbachev’s government publish ‘On the Improved Measures Against Drunkenness and Alcoholism’ which was a heavy blow to the spirits industry.

President Gorbachev cuts back production and the hours that vodka can be sold — earning the utter disdain of the Russians.  Gorbachev reportedly tells this story: “This guy,” he says, “was standing in line for 10 hours to buy vodka, and finally decided to go to the Kremlin to kill Gorbachev. The next day, the guy was back in the vodka line: ‘It didn’t work,’ he tells the others. ‘The line to the Kremlin is even longer.’”

1991 – The collapse of the USSR is followed by an abolishment of the state monopoly on vodka production, resulting in a market full of low quality black market vodka.

2003 – 2.2 billion litres of taxed vodka is sold in Russia (15 litres per person including babies), but that doesn’t include the balck market low grade vodka that continues to flood te market. Vodka consumption is Russia accounts for 70% of total alcohol intake. Birth rates drop and male life expectancy drops to 61.

2005 – In the first four months of the year more than 13,000 people die in Russia from drinking poison hooch. Vladamir Putin proposes a new state vodka policy.

References:

Vodka History – Development and Origin

Drink: A Cultural History of Alochol – Iain Gately

Vodka & Russia – Duane Baur

Vodka Museum.ru

Global Bar Guide

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