Federal regulation defines vodka as “neutral spirits distilled or treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials so as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color”. Neutral spirits are “distilled from any material at or above 95% alcohol by volume”. However, it is permitted to add a small percentage of “neutral blender”, which domestic manufacturers use to add citric acid, sugar, and other mild additives. We suspect that some European producers include other additives.

Until recently, vodka was essentially an industrial product. In 1998, Charbay Distillery, followed by St George Spirits in 2002, introduced vodkas made by craft methods.