Apr 24, 2026
[Originally Released: 25 March 2022]
Vodka: What it is, where it's from, its role in the rise and fall of empires and … barbarians? Again?
This episode is especially relevant to current events, and hopes to elucidate otherwise confusing issues around boycotting Russian Vodka: it has history, scandal, and irresistible international intrigue, especially considering the host isn’t even a fan of the neutral spirit itself.
Resources from this episode:
Books:
Society of Wine Educators: Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Nickles, J. (2020)
Grossman’s Guide to Wines Beers, and Spirits (7th Edition) Grossman, H., (Revised by Harriett Lembeck), (1983)
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022)
Websites:
CNN Business: States want to boycott Russian vodka: Here’s why that won’t work, Valinsky, J. (27 February 2022) https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/27/business/russian-vodka-boycotts/index.html
Eater: The Empty Politics of Stoli’s name change, Saxena, J. (7 March 2022) https://www.eater.com/2022/3/7/22965518/stoli-vodka-made-latvia-russian-name-change-stolichnaya
Forbes: Ditching Russian Vodka? Here’s where other favorite vodkas are produced, Micallef, J.V. (26 February 2022) https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2022/02/26/ditching-russian-vodka-heres--where-your-favorite-vodkas-are-made/?sh=392f30382350
Russia Beyond: What’s the Story Behind the Iconic Stolichnaya
Vodka Brand? Zubacheva, K. (4 February 2020)
https://www.rbth.com/history/331637-stolichnaya-vodka-history
Stoli Group: Stoli Group Denounces Russian Aggression and Shares History of Opposition https://stoli.com/
Time: Tsar Nicholas II thought vodka was hurting Russians - but banning it helped destroy his empire, Schrad, M. L. (20 July 2021) https://time.com/6082058/russian-revolution-vodka/
Wine, Wit, and Wisdom - The Official Blog of the Society of Wine Educators: New for Norway - Norsk Vodka and Norsk Akavit PGI, Nickles, J.. (6 February 2020) https://winewitandwisdomswe.com/2020/02/06/new-for-norway-norsk-vodka-and-norsk-akvavit-pgi/
Glass in Session® Episodes Mentioned in this Session:
S9E4:The Silk Roads Lead to Samarkand & Uzbek Wine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s9e4-the-silk-roads-lead-to-samarkand-uzbek-wine
S9E2: Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge? https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s9e2-whisky-burns-night-and-beerhenge
S8E3: Once Upon a Wine Grape in Afghanistan https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s8e3-once-upon-a-wine-grape-in-afghanistan
Glass in Session® merch mentioned on this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session
Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val,
LLC.
Music: “Write Your Story” by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)