Vodka is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world, and several companies compete for a share of the market. The vodka industry is dominated by a few premium brands, which command premium prices. Distilleries operate around the world, and produce a variety of traditional and flavored vodka varieties. Like the micro-breweries before them, local distilleries are cashing in on small-scale regional trade.

In the United States, vodka is available from both domestic and international producers. Whether you're interested in distribution, production or retail sales, doing the following will give you the vodka industry overview you need to succeed:

1. Learn about vodka producers from the United States to expand your domestic liquor inventory.

2. Increase your knowledge of imported vodka to attract customers seeking an international experience.

3. Understand regulations governing the import, export and sale of vodka.

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Cash in on the popularity of domestic vodka produced in the United States

Once produced only in Europe, vodka is now distilled by several companies in the United States. The U.S. is currently home to premium vodka brands and small local companies, some of which have secured a place amongst the top vodkas from around the world. Capitalize on growing U.S. vodka production by incorporating domestic vodka into your business.

I recommend: Skyy Vodka is a producer based in San Francisco, California. The successful brand is noted for its quadruple distillation and triple filtration process. Liquid Vodka is distilled in Warren, Oregon. It's one of a growing number of small, regional vodka brands.

Give customers a taste of distilleries around the world by carrying imported vodka

Although vodka is especially popular in Eastern Europe, Russian vodka is not the only imported vodka available. Ingredients and distillation techniques vary by region, which produces a variety of flavors and styles. Imported vodkas are often more expensive than domestic varieties, but remain popular among discerning customers.

I recommend: Absolut is one of the most popular premium vodka brands in the world. This Swedish company is famous for its creative marketing campaign, which features Absolut's uniquely shaped bottle. Grey Goose Vodka is an import vodka from France. The company produces premium vodka, and has won awards for taste and quality.

Cover your bases by learning about the regulations that govern the sale of vodka

Whether you want to produce, distribute, serve or import vodka, various state and federal regulations govern these activities. Before pursuing any business venture into the vodka industry, make sure you know the rules to avoid any legal problems.

I recommend: The TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) administers alcohol tax regulations and collects taxes on spirits in the United States. The agency has outlined the process by which you can apply for a license to distill vodka. The ATF enforces alcohol laws in the U.S. The federal agency provides links to the liquor control boards of each state, which govern the trade of vodka and other spirits.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Vodka is commonly combined with other beverages, such as fruit juice or soft drinks, to create popular mixed drinks. Consult an online drink mixing guide to teach your bartenders how to make several different vodka based drinks.

When you offer vodka as a liquor choice, you’ll want to learn about the different brands. Vodka has a wide popularity in Eastern Europe and has gone through mass production in the United States for many years.

You’ll find that Russian vodka leads in production numbers. Not only will you find high quality vodka, distilled from wheat and rye, but also different types of flavored vodka originated from the Eastern European country.

1. Learn about vodka. You’ll probably benefit from taking a tasting class to learn as much viable vodka information as possible.

2. Find producers of both imported and domestic vodka. You’ll want to check pricing and labeling of different vodka brands.

3. Order your select products from vodka distributors. Meet with distributors and place your business’s order for domestic and imported vodka.

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Compare Russian vodka brands

Russian vodka has a strong reputation due to the high quality of the product. If you want to offer top shelf vodka to your customers, then you'll want to keep a well-stocked cabinet with the top brands of Russian imported vodka. Famous brands of Russia vodka include Moskovskaya, Stolichnaya and Pshenichnaya.

I recommend: On RussianVodka.com, you can get a lot of information on different brands of vodka imported from Russia. Compare each brand to help decide on your business’s vodka inventory. Download a brochure from Russian Vodka House Ltd. to learn about the fine Russian vodka products that they import worldwide.

Choose flavored vodka

One of the new trends in vodka involves adding flavor to the seemingly flavorless liquor. Flavors and flavor combinations seem endless and may include apple, lemon-lime, melon, coffee and more. Makers of flavored vodka include Absolut, Hammer, Smirnoff and Svedka.

I recommend: Find a complete list of flavored vodkas and manufacturers on DrinksMixer.com. You can also find a recipe suggestion link you can use to design flavored vodka drink specials if applicable. For even more flavored vodka drink specials, go to DrinkStreet.com.

Get low prices from vodka wholesalers

Although you may only want to order a few bottles of premium vodka to sell, you probably want to stock up on top sellers, like Absolut, Stolichnaya and Ketel One. You'll want to find vodka wholesalers to give you the best prices on these products.

I recommend: Contact Grenier Wholesale Liquor to see the type of price they can give you on a wholesale vodka order. You can also find additional vodka wholesalers by joining the Beverage Media Group as a member.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Vodka has different classifications based on its country of origin. In Russia, you'll find labels, such as 'special,' meaning superior quality ingredients and 'strong,' meaning high alcohol content. In the United States, vodka has a neutral taste, so classifications are found through comparing price and alcohol content.

Russian vodka was once the only type of vodka distilled, but you can now buy vodka produced in a variety of nations. Wheat, rye and potatoes are most commonly used as the main ingredient in vodka, but some vodka is made from molasses, beets or other plants. Premium vodka is usually made from wheat and rye. Vodka is generally odorless, colorless and tasteless, but can be flavored with fruits, spices or other ingredients. Vodka is commonly combined with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to create mixed drinks.

There are many business opportunities in the vodka industry. Knowing the vodka basics will help you learn how it can improve your company's performance. If you are interested in pursuing a business in the industry and are looking for vodka information, consider the following:

1. Acquaint yourself with the differences between tuber vodka and grain vodka.

2. Add variety to your selection with flavored vodka.

3. Keep your staff current on popular vodka mixed drinks.

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Learn the differences between potato and grain vodka by comparing manufacturers

Vodka can be made from a wide variety of plants, but potatoes, wheat and rye are most frequently used. Parties from each camp, potato and grain, claim superiority of their respective products. Read up on the differences, and sample some of each variety before adding any vodka to your inventory.

I recommend: Chopin is a luxury imported vodka. The potatoes used to make the final product are grown in Poland. Shakers Vodka is a premium domestic vodka distilled from grain. The company makes both wheat and rye vodka.

Discover new versions of an old favorite with flavored vodka

Vodka is a neutral spirit with little to no flavor. Vodka producers have worked to change this by creating new lines of flavored vodkas. There is a surprising variety available that will add a new flavor to your business.

I recommend: Stolichnaya, more commonly referred to as Stoli, is a Russian vodka company that specializes in flavored varieties. The company's vodka offerings include orange, raspberry, citrus and peach flavored vodka. Van Gogh Vodka features a range of unique flavors, including coconut, acai-blueberry, espresso and Dutch chocolate.

Stay current on the vodka drink scene with the help of online drink mixing guides

Vodka has little to no flavor, and is most commonly mixed with other beverages to make drinks. Hundreds of drink recipes are available online, some of which utilize flavored vodka. Bartenders will benefit from these resources, and so will retailers, as the mixing guides will show what mixers you should keep in stock.

I recommend: Drink of the Week provides an extensive list of vodka mixed drink recipes. The website adds new recipes frequently, so check back regularly. Drinks Mixer is home to more than 1,400 vodka drink recipes. Upload your own recipe or rate others that work for your business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to market your own vodka, but don't want to invest in distillation equipment, there are companies that specialize in custom liquor production and packaging. You will benefit from distillation and labeling experience without having to go through the approval process for setting up a distillery.

The origins of vodka date back several centuries, as the now-popular drink used to be used as a disinfectant. It is now one of America's most ordered alcoholic beverages, from vodka martinis and screwdrivers to Long Island iced teas and white Russians. In addition, there's a multitude of qualities of vodka and a wide range of price options, so it can be hard to know which is the best buy for your money. Knowing some vodka key terms can help.

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Vodka

Made from potatoes or grain, vodka is a tasteless, colorless alcohol. It is distilled with charcoal, and sometimes other ingredients are added to sweeten the flavor for the drinker's enjoyment. It is usually 80-proof, or 40-percent alcohol.

I recommend: Read more at the Beverage Testing Institute and the Liquor Outlet.

Fermentation

Vodka is produced through fermentation, which involves adding yeast to the grain and heating up the mixture to create a mash.

I recommend: Check out the original Eastern European fermentation process at foodandbeverageunderground.com.

Distillation

The process that separates the grain from the alcohol is known as distilling. This immediately follows the fermenting process, and in many cases, it involves running the vodka through a charcoal filter. Sometimes vodkas are triple-distilled, which involves more filtration to produce a finer product.

I recommend: ProBrewer.com reviews the process of distilling vodka.

Pot stills or column stills

A still is what's used in the distilling process. The main difference between pot stills and column stills is that the latter allows vodka to be made continuously, while pot stills make only one batch at a time.

I recommend: There is information about both types of stills at Craft Distillers.

Congeners

The process of distillation and the fact that vodka is not aged in a barrel-like dark liquors such as whiskey-means that vodka has a simple taste profile. The subtle tastes and aromas that are removed are known as congeners. It is said that because of the lack of congeners, a next-day hangover is less likely.

I recommend: Browse through the questions at Cocktail Times, which will help you understand a bit more about congeners.

Infused or flavored

Although vodka is supposedly a taste-neutral alcohol, many folks do find the taste to be an acquired one. Many vodka makers have started infusing, or flavoring, their alcohol with a taste of something more pleasant, such as fruit, vanilla and ginger. The infusion process involves allowing the vodka to sit with the added flavor for some time before bottling it for sale.

I recommend: Future Beverage discusses the most common types of Russian infusions and flavors.