Any Vodka drinkers here?????

[tripp]

I used to think when mixing vodka it would not matter which one it was.
The mixer...ie...orange juice or bloody mary mix, would be the defining taste.
As I get older and have been exposed to grey goose I have changed my mind.

Any other vodkas that you guys enjoy?
Any other Bloody mary mix besides major peters?

[Wasch_24]

My wife just started enjoying vodka martini's. She used to just get the good ole' Stoli until she tired Grey Goose and now that is all she uses. I'm not a big alchohol drinker but I even noticed an imrovement in the drink when Grey Goose is used. I guess the French are good at something other than champagne.

[tripp]

I cant think of anything else French that I buy.

[tubaman]

Absolute!!

[Jwrussell]

Gotta love the Goose. I don't mix mine much. Not big on Bloody Maries and haven't had a Screw Driver in ages. Had a shot glass filled with crushed ice and GG the other day while smoking an Ashton Cabinet #10. My wife has a bottle of Van Gogh and won't let me open the damn thing! :lol:

[scottsins]

O.K. You guys have to trust me on this, but basically, the noticeable difference b/w absolut and grey goose, which is very remarkable is the same smoothness/quality difference you'll gain from switching from the goose to Chopin, or if you must...Belvedere.

I've done alot of "research" on this topic.

[Jwrussell]

Oh man, I've been wanting to try both of those.

[althekillr]

Grey Goose is good stuff. Stoli Gold is my favorite, though hard to find in these parts. but for value, ketel one is good, and skyy if you are on a real budget.

[Texas Cop]

Grey Goose is really good stuff, Belveder (I think that is what it's called) is not too shabby...And I was recently (at the Graycliff party) introduced to Level, and it was some damned smooth vodka!

Andrew

[Poni]

I'm not sure how to spell it, I think its "delvor gee", at least that is how its pronounced. Very good vodka also. But can't go wrong with Kettle One or Grey Goose.

[Chinkowski]

\\:D/ :smt045 :smt038 :smt110 :smt023 Chopin is the best there ever was.

[Kurtdesign1]

I went to a cigar and vodka tasting months back and based on that event, Ciroc vodka was the clear winner. It's frickin made of grapes but has that classic Vodka flavor without the shitty grainy bite associated with Stoli or a lot of other cheaper brands. I LOVE vodka tonics and Ciroc makes the best I've found. Give it a try, IMO, it's better then Grey goose; no joke.

[hawkan2580]

I make my own vodka.. if I have to drink any other.. gray goose.. and if the purpose of the drinking is to get drunk.. poure absolute on the hot rocks in a sauna.. breath in .. and get drunk...(without drinking the stuff.. the alcohol goes into the blood via the loungs, he he he)...

[owljones]

Kettle One and tonic. The breakfast of champions. :smt030

[Kurtdesign1]

Hawkan...you are one of the most rounded individuals I have ever had the pleaseure of knowing....

:smt058 :smt058 :smt058 :smt058
:smt079

[MadAl]

I kinda like 3 Olives

[shatfield]

I went to a cigar and vodka tasting months back and based on that event, Ciroc vodka was the clear winner. It's frickin made of grapes but has that classic Vodka flavor without the shitty grainy bite associated with Stoli or a lot of other cheaper brands. I LOVE vodka tonics and Ciroc makes the best I've found. Give it a try, IMO, it's better then Grey goose; no joke.

I gotta go with you on this one. Ciroc is absolutely the best out there. I think goose comes in second, then kettle (espec. for the price). I used to drink them with tonic and lime, now just straight with ice. That's why I like ciroc so much, there's no 'alcohol' taste and you can actually taste the flavor of the vodka.

[Chinkowski]

gentleman,

before you go giving the crown to some grape juice you must try the infamous Chopin. its base is [i]potato and is quadruple distilled. its a little pricey but i beleive there is no equal. us pollacks drink alot of vodka, i think you'll be in for a pleasant surprise if you dare to try. cheers.:smt029 :smt030 =D> :smt045 chinkowski

[shatfield]

I've had Chopin quite a few times, but it just doesn't do it for me. What I've heard, though (but haven't tried), is if you sprinkle a little black pepper on top then add the ice, it will separate the potato from the alcohol and taste much better.

[tobby4]

Chopin and goose are my favorites.... I will occassionally drink some Belvedere and Stoli, but beyond that i really do not drink many other Vodkas... I know i am young but have been trying to educate myself on this for a while even before drinkin it.....

[scottsins]

Any update on broadening your vodka horizons yet, Mr. Tripp???

[tripp]

I have tried a couple and I still say the goose is my favorite.

Some more research will go into this matter this weekend.
Bloody marys are on tap for Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[althekillr]

If you guys haven't tried the Stoli Gold I highly reccomend it. Everyone I have given it to loves it. It's perfect for vodka tonic's or martini's. last time I was in duty free in an overseas airport, I picked up 9 bottles. You can find it in the states, but its not easy.

[geoffrie]

Remember reading this in the times last week and found it on line ...

the short version ... Smirnoff ... the long version .... see below

Here's the link (requires free reg) http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/26/dining/26wine.html?oref=login

And here's the article ....

January 26, 2005

SPIRITS OF THE TIMES A Humble Old Label Ices Its Rivals

By ERIC ASIMOV

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/dropcap/i.gifT was not exactly a victory for the underdog, but chalk it up as a triumph of the unexpected.

The idea for the Dining section's tasting panel was to sample a range of the new high-end unflavored vodkas that have come on the market in the last few years in their beautifully designed bottles and to compare them with a selection of established super-premium brands. To broaden the comparison, or possibly as a bit of mischief, our tasting coordinator, Bernard Kirsch, added to our blind tasting a bottle of Smirnoff, the single best-selling unflavored vodka in the United States, but a definite step down in status, marketing and bottle design.

After the 21 vodkas were sipped and the results compiled, the Smirnoff was our hands-down favorite.

Shocking? Perhaps. Delving into the world of vodka reveals a spirit unlike almost any other, with standards that make judging it substantially different from evaluating wine, beer, whiskey or even root beer. A malt whiskey should be distinctive, singular. The same goes for a Burgundy or a Belgian ale. But vodka? Vodka is measured by its purity, by an almost Platonic neutrality that makes tasting it more akin to tasting bottled waters, or snowflakes.

Yet in just a few decades vodka has become the most popular spirit in the country. It is now the default liquor in cocktails once made with gin, and with its glossy merchandising it has set a marketing standard for high-end spirits that the other liquors are all struggling to emulate. It's quite an achievement for something that the government defines as "neutral spirits, so distilled, or so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color."

A lack of distinctiveness is a separate matter from a lack of distinction. The vodkas we tasted had character and their own flavors and aromas, even though the differences among them were often subtle and difficult to articulate.

"I'm looking for interest," said Eben Klemm, a cocktail expert who joined me for the tasting, along with my colleagues Florence Fabricant and William L. Hamilton, who writes the Shaken and Stirred column for the Sunday Styles section. "Some were so unique that they stood out," he added, "while others were pure, simple and austere."

Mr. Klemm, whose heady title is director of cocktail development for B. R. Guest, a restaurant group that includes Dos Caminos, Fiamma and Vento in New York, found himself torn in two directions in assessing the vodkas. Because we tasted them straight, he judged them as solo beverages yet could not help extrapolating how they would taste in cocktails, which are overwhelmingly the vehicle for consuming vodka.

Mr. Hamilton, too, wondered whether his perceptions might change. "When deployed in mixed drinks, these slight flavor profiles that I enjoyed might cause trouble," he said.

Ms. Fabricant, on the other hand, dismissed such existential issues. "Go with the flow," she suggested, adding that the qualities she sought in the vodkas included elegance, neutrality and balance. "As a vodka drinker who likes vodka on the rocks, I picked out what I would want to drink," she said.

I'm not much of a vodka drinker myself, although I do like a good bloody mary. I prefer gin in classic gin drinks like martinis and gimlets that have largely evolved into vodka cocktails. But I appreciate the purity and depth of a fine vodka. Those I liked best were all smooth rather than harsh, and balanced and harmonious rather than burdened by alcoholic heat. They had a presence in the mouth that we sometimes referred to as texture or substance.

That being said, at the end of our tasting it was Smirnoff at the top of our list, ahead of many other names that are no doubt of higher status in stylish bars and lounges. Some of those names did not even make our Top 10. Grey Goose from France, one of the most popular vodkas, was felt to lack balance and seemed to have more than a touch of sweetness. Ketel One from the Netherlands, another top name, was felt to be routine and sharp, although Mr. Klemm did describe it as "a good mixer."

More than 300 vodkas are on the market now, and of course we could not taste them all. Notable brands that we omitted included Chopin, Finlandia, Rain and Tanqueray Sterling. But our tasting included 5 of the 10 best-selling unflavored vodkas in the United States and the 5 best-selling imported vodkas.

What set Smirnoff apart, we agreed, was its aromas and flavors, which we described as classic. Smirnoff of course has a long history. The company was founded in Russia in the 19th century, and after the Russian Revolution the family, then spelling its name Smirnov, left the country and eventually ended up in France. The brand, now owned by Diageo, was introduced in the United States in 1934 and eventually became the best-selling brand with the slogan "It will leave you breathless."

Perhaps our description of Smirnoff as classic was nostalgic, possibly a result of the imprinting of its flavors and aromas on our brains in some early quest through our parents' liquor cabinets. But its smooth neutrality and pleasing texture also won it points, and its success illustrates a vital truth about vodka.

Unlike most other spirits and certainly unlike beer and wine, vodka does not necessarily benefit from artisanal manufacturing. The bearded bumpkin who minds the barrels in the ad campaigns for bourbon has no place in the production of vodka. In fact most so-called vodka producers do not even distill their own spirits.

In the United States almost all vodka producers buy neutral spirits that have already been distilled from grain by one of several big Midwestern companies like Archer Daniels Midland. The neutral spirits, which are 95 percent alcohol or more, are trucked to the producers, where they are filtered, diluted and bottled. In our tasting only one brand, Teton Glacier Potato vodka, was distilled by the producer. Another producer, Hangar 1, distills a portion of its spirits and buys the rest.

What sets vodkas apart from one another are essentially the base ingredients used in the distillation and the water. Most spirits can be made only from certain prescribed ingredients, but vodka can be distilled from just about anything that can be fermented into alcohol: grains, vegetables, even fruits.

Our tasting included vodkas made from wheat, rye and potatoes, even a couple that used grapes. Hangar 1 is distilled partly from wheat and partly from viognier grapes, which perhaps lend the slight sweetness the panel detected. Possibly the combination results in a complexity, which we all liked. Another vodka, Cîroc Snap Frost from France, is distilled entirely from grapes, but we sensed a disjointedness in it that kept it off our list.

Like gin, vodka can be produced just about anywhere, and our tasting included four from the United States; four from Poland; three each from Russia, France and the Netherlands; and one apiece from Switzerland, Estonia, New Zealand and Sweden. Russia and Poland both claim to be the originators of vodka. None of the Russians made our list, but two of our Top 3 were from Poland. The Wyborowa, which comes in a striking bottle designed by the architect Frank Gehry, was elegant and mysterious and seemed to keep drawing us in. The Belvedere was exceptionally pure and smooth.

All four entries from the United States made the list. In addition to Smirnoff and Hangar 1 they were Skyy, which Ms. Fabricant suggested would be superb ice cold, and Teton Glacier Potato vodka, which seemed to conform to the government definition of tasteless and odorless.

While we chose to focus on unflavored vodkas those blended in the factory with flavorings like lemon, black pepper and even chocolate may be the fastest-growing category of all. Given the government definition of vodka, the success of such flavored vodkas may raise the philosophical question one day of exactly what constitutes a vodka.

The prices of these vodkas ranged from a low of $13 for the Smirnoff to a high of $34 for Potocki, a Polish vodka that did not make our cut. The Belvedere also cost $34, but that was for a liter rather than the usual 750 milliliter bottle. Imported vodkas tend to cost more, partly because of taxes levied by various governments, currency exchange rates and, not least, marketing concerns: as has been proved in many industries, wine not least of all, raising the price of a product increases its status among consumers.

Possibly with that in mind Stolichnaya has just introduced a new vodka, Elit, for $60 a bottle. Because Elit was not available in New York at our tasting, the panel did not sample it. Its marketers say it is "carefully crafted using a centuries-old Russian recipe and a revolutionary 'freeze filtration process.' " The bottle is certainly sleek. What's inside may be another matter.

[geoffrie]

Tasting Report: In the Best-Selling Category, a Best Seller Stands Out

BEST VALUE
Smirnoff United States Grain
80 proof
$13
***
Pure, clean and ultrasmooth, with pleasing texture and classic vodka aroma.

Wyborowa Poland Single Estate Rye
80 proof 1 liter
$30
***
Elegant and intriguing, with mild flavors and great persistence.

Belvedere Poland Rye
80 proof 1 liter
$34
***
Great smoothness and purity, with good texture and body.

Absolut Sweden Level Grain
80 proof
$24
** 1/2
Smooth and substantial, with flavors of flowers, lemon grass or nuts.

Hangar 1 United States Straight Wheat and Grain
80 proof
$30
** 1/2
Pleasing, with complex flavors and a suggestion of sweetness.

Vox Netherlands Wheat
80 proof
$23
** 1/2
Smooth and neutral, with savory flavors and a touch of alcoholic heat.

Olifant Netherlands Grain
80 proof 1 liter
$17
**
Subtle, yet rich and complex.

42 Below New Zealand Wheat
84 proof
$24
**
Straightforward, pure and smooth.

Skyy United States Grain
80 proof 1 liter
$16
**
Unusual flavors of mint and lime.

Teton Glacier United States Potato
80 proof 1 liter
$20
**
Clean and light on the palate; odorless and tasteless.

[Jwrussell]

Very interesting!

[scottsins]

with regard to the NYT thing:

There is a difference b/w best vodka and best value. Somehting doesn't have to be all that great to be "worth" 13 bucks.

It DOES seem that the first article may have been strict taste, but I note that they downgraded one for sweetness, which I find refreshing in a smooth vodke, so to each his own.

Oh, and omitting one of the only potato vodkas reall sold in any kind of volume was a stupid move by them, IMO.


NOW, for what i really wanted to say:

I finally got around to trying that ciroc stuff last night, since they were out of chopin, which is usually (as you can tell from my 1st post on here) my one and ONLY vodka that I'll actually drink.

ciroc is AMAZING. It will possibly supplant Chopin, but Chopin's got the sentimental value of being so damn reliable over the years. I will do mre research, but all I know is that the bartender was pouring me triple shots with a splash of 7-up and there was no grainy taste at all.

[tripp]

Is this a great thing to do research on or what????

Had a few bloody marys last night but I did not bother to ask what kind of vodka they used. The way my head feels this morning, I bet it was NOT Grey Goose. :smt027 :smt027 :smt106

[gvlagos]

i'm a big fan of Belvedere Poland Rye

[scottsins]

it's a little pricey, but hitimewine.com now has the XO vodka I've been talking about.

http://hitimewine.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=165508&csurl=/istar.asp?a%3D3%26dept%3D87%26sortby%3D%26numperpa ge%3D30%26pos%3D120

p.s. - how about my skillz in bringing back this ancient thread?

[joshua]

I saw some TV piece like last week about making mixed drinks with different brands of vodkas. They had a group of people blind taste test a mixed drink and the people who said they order the high end stuff instead of the house vodka couldn't tell the difference. The only real difference you may notice is when you have it neat.

[Jwrussell]

I'm a vodka drinker and I never bother with a brand unless drinking it in a martini or on ice.

[scottsins]

OOPS!

I realized the last vodka on my evolution on this thread was ciroc.

The XO stuff I linked above makes ciroq, level, GREY GOOSE, BELVEDERE, CHOPIN, etc, taste like hairspray.

If anyone doesn't believe me, order a bottle. DO NOT MIX IT! Drink it on the rocks. it's heaven. to learn about it and read reviews, click this:

http://www.jeanmarcxovodka.com/

if you don't swear off every vodka you've ever had before, PM me and I'll buy the rest of the bottle from you. That's right, 3rd party money back gurantee. I don't want to be 'right", I just really want everyone else who appreciates good spirits to give this a shot and enjoy it like I do.

it will completely change your view on vodka. I never had any vodka on the rocks before this, because it didn't taste good/burned. this is different/better.

EDIT:

I finally figure how to sum up what i'm trying to get across, in a syllogism:

XO is to belvedere/grey goose, and EVEN Ciroq, as...

Ciroq/Belv./Grey Goose is to something in a plastic bottle.

[Jwrussell]

huh, definately will go on the must try list.

[tedski]

I may try the Jean Marc but I just wish it wasn't made in France ...

Here are a couple of interesting Vodka websites:

http://www.ivodka.com/index.html

http://slate.msn.com/id/2106004/

[scottsins]

It's funny how some (not saying you) will break federal law to smoke cigars from enemy Cuba, but will not give their consumer dollars to French products. :laugh:

[tripp]

You have to draw the line somewhere.......


But I do love grey goose.

[tedski]

It's funny how some (not saying you) will break federal law to smoke cigars from enemy Cuba, but will not give their consumer dollars to French products. :laugh:

It's only because France claims to be our "friend" ... but acts like our enemy. (Not always, but most of the time).

And besides, I'm actually burning Cuba's fields ... one cigar at a time.

[geoffrie]

Oddly enough, Grey Goose usually falls near the bottom of just about every blind taste test it's in. Kettle One and Belvedere have poor showings as well.

Smirnoff usually fairs well.

I remember the NY Times did a blind taste test not too long ago with these results. Some TV magazine followed it up wt=ith similar results.

Go figure.

[GuyMcBeerdrinker]

scottsins speaks the truth. that vodka is the shit.

[smokem94]

I saw some TV piece like last week about making mixed drinks with different brands of vodkas. They had a group of people blind taste test a mixed drink and the people who said they order the high end stuff instead of the house vodka couldn't tell the difference. The only real difference you may notice is when you have it neat.
You MAY not be able to tell in some mixed drinks by tasting, but you will definitely tell by the kind of hangover you will have with the cheap stuff.
:bottle:

[tripp]

That is the biggest factor.

[tubaman]

You MAY not be able to tell in some mixed drinks by tasting, but you will definitely tell by the kind of hangover you will have with the cheap stuff.
:bottle:

:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :barf: :barf: :barf:

[scottsins]

maybe we should do a vodka pass, where I go get a bottle of XO (I'm out again) and we send it around. Everyone takes some (5 ounces or so???) drinks it over ice. then, we can do the same with other brands. OR we can start a bottle of something else, then follow with others, staggering (pun!) every couple of weeks. I guess shipping would be a little more than for cigars, but maybe, just maybe, it could work! I would just like everyone (without committing $50) to have a chance to try my favorite.

p.s. - if I sound like an alcohol snob at all on this thread, forgive me. I've basically worked in bars and restaurants off and on since 1992, and it's one my passions. Drinking is also really fun.

also, since the XO is corked, which is bad with heat, we could even ship that and other vodkas in plastic water bottles. it would also cut down on shipping costs, i would assume.

[joshua]

Maybe a blind pass just labeled with the sender and everyone can try and rate them and then we can see what comes out on top :)

[Jwrussell]

I like the blind pass idea. Numbered water bottles where only the original sender knows the actual contents and people can review each number. :thumbsup: