With the proliferation of new brands, vodka has flown far from the frigid shores of its original home. First made by distilling potatoes, vodka is now generally grain spirit, often charcoal-filtered, and these days frequently flavoured with everything from citrus fruit to peppers. Neutral enough to mix with practically anything, we also have the very best ones which, when chilled and drunk straight, will have you reaching for a bearskin hat and a Cyrillic dictionary.