Effen vodka is made in the Netherlands and takes it’s name from the Dutch word for “smooth, even, balanced” according to their marketing website. It is made from Dutch wheat and filtered through charcoal in a “bottom up” fashion (patented, according to the website) where the distillate is forced up the through carbon by pumps rather than letting it filter down by mere gravity. This is thought to increase contact with the charcoal and improve purity. It was originally founded by Planet 10 Spirits, which was later bought up by Barton Brands–then of Constellation Brands. Barton is now part of Sazerac but the Effen brand remains with Constellation.