I have for approx. 4 years made my own homemade
vanilla. Nothing compares to it and I will never go back
to artificial ever. However, I have never used
vodka, I have always used brandy. I have also started to use it
almost immediately. With brandy the vanilla bean
is enhanced. Here is the simple recipe:

2 vanilla beans
1/2 pint of brandy

Split the vanilla bean down the center then cut in
half. Place into a pretty bottle or the bottle
your brandy comes in and give a gentle shake to
dislodge vanilla beans. They will settle on the
bottom. That's it. Within 1 week or more, you
will have a beautiful flavor. ps/ you may use
more vanilla bean if you want but I don't as they
are expensive.