Vodka!

[AlexSpartan]

So, gents, Vodkas. Not all Vodkas are made the same.

I had a shot of Crystal Head vodka, and it actually was pretty decent, went down like water.

Also, a few years ago I had some local vodka from Wisconsin called 45th Parallel. Best vodka I've ever had. Really good stuff.

[karl johnson]

Good vodka does, in fact, have a flavor. Sonny wrote about that some time ago. I tend to prefer potato based vodkas, myself, but I do kinda like them to bite back a little.

Some time ago I was in a Russian place as the only non-Russian. The waiter brought the vodka list for me, but I don't read Russian either, so I asked for his recommendation. He looked thoughtful, and after dredging up the little English he knew said, "Theese won. Ees Poland. Only place in world! Wheat grass. Make a beeg smile!" I think I had maybe 4 maybe 5 by the end of the night, and between my dinner date and the vodka, I had BEEG smile.

The brand name in the US is Bison, and it has a strand of buffalo grass in it. It is slightly yellow, but has a wonderfully complex flavor that is light and crisp. Naturally, when I saw it in Israel much later for $12 a bottle, I drank it often throughout my year there. The government liquor stores don't carry it here in NC, so I'm out of luck now.

If you can get it, I'd recommend trying it for drinking chilled and straight.

[AlexSpartan]

They do have bison grass vodka at stores here. Always wondered if it was good or just gimmicky. Will definitely have to try it. Thanks Karl!

[Buzjob]

Russian Standard is an excellent vodka. Not too expensive and getting popular enough to be found almost anywhere.

[CaptBeach]

Bottle of Grey Goose and Ketel 1 in my liquor cabinet...

[limamike55]

Russian Standard when I can get it here in NC.

[MichaelJames]

+1 to Russian Standard. It's the only vodka I drink now.

[MikeNV]

I have been taste testing several over the last couple of years... my newest favorite

Hanger 1

it's a US made vodka, made in an old US Navy Aviation Hanger in California...hence the name. Very hard to find.... running about $35 a bottle.

[lightfighter]

Good vodka does, in fact, have a flavor. Sonny wrote about that some time ago. I tend to prefer potato based vodkas, myself, but I do kinda like them to bite back a little.

Some time ago I was in a Russian place as the only non-Russian. The waiter brought the vodka list for me, but I don't read Russian either, so I asked for his recommendation. He looked thoughtful, and after dredging up the little English he knew said, "Theese won. Ees Poland. Only place in world! Wheat grass. Make a beeg smile!" I think I had maybe 4 maybe 5 by the end of the night, and between my dinner date and the vodka, I had BEEG smile.

The brand name in the US is Bison, and it has a strand of buffalo grass in it. It is slightly yellow, but has a wonderfully complex flavor that is light and crisp. Naturally, when I saw it in Israel much later for $12 a bottle, I drank it often throughout my year there. The government liquor stores don't carry it here in NC, so I'm out of luck now.

If you can get it, I'd recommend trying it for drinking chilled and straight.

It's banned in the U.S.

But, I've got a bottle of Zubrowka in the freezer right now, a gift from a Polish friend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Żubrówka

For mixed drinks I use Smirnoff.

But honestly, I'll take Gin over vodka anyday

[Fitpro]

Stoli has been a long-time favorite. About 5 years ago I was in the Eastern Bloc and my date and the other couple decided we needed to have some after dinner vodka at the flat. I will practice drinking vodka to build up a tolerance before I do that again. I love straight-up Stoli martinis but the Russians wanted to toast everything you can think of toasting. Several bottles got empty very fast. Much fun that night, not so much fun the next day. Russian women however, absolutely amazing!

[AlexSpartan]

It's banned in the U.S.

But, I've got a bottle of Zubrowka in the freezer right now, a gift from a Polish friend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Żubrówka

For mixed drinks I use Smirnoff.


But honestly, I'll take Gin over vodka anyday

Negative, Lightfighter, it's been recently ok'd for importing. I just saw a bottle at my liquor store down the street.

[Fitpro]

Mixing good vodka is a crime.

[lightfighter]

Negative, Lightfighter, it's been recently ok'd for importing. I just saw a bottle at my liquor store down the street.

Supposedly, there is a difference between the vodka made for the U.S. market and the Polish stuff. The U.S. vodka has a 'neutralized' stem of bison grass in it. The Polish vodka has the original recipe. Read the link in my post for details

The label in my freezer is all Polish but, who knows , it's probably all marketing hype anyway.

[Frank Pinelander]

Wheat based. Potato based for me are a guaranteed hangover.

Half lit on Svedka as I type...

[AlexSpartan]

Supposedly, there is a difference between the vodka made for the U.S. market and the Polish stuff. The U.S. vodka has a 'neutralized' stem of bison grass in it. The Polish vodka has the original recipe. Read the link in my post for details

The label in my freezer is all Polish but, who knows , it's probably all marketing hype anyway.

Ah, thanks for the clarification.

[NedMan]

My new favorite is Blue Ice from Idaho. It's 100% potato, and I found it when searching for a Passover spirit. Man, it's good.

[AlexSpartan]

If you like vodka, search for vodka by korpiklaani on YouTube.

[TrojanSkyCop1]

My first legal drink on my 21st birthday (which reminds me, my 36th comes up in 3 weeks, egad!:shock:) was a "vodka martini, shaken, not stirred" in honor of Agent 007. I don't remember the brand for certain, but most likely it was Absolut Citroen.

Word to the wise, guys (and gals): just avoid Popov, that brand flat-out sucks. :thumbdn:

[RDog]

As I type I'm having a nice ilttle number from St. petersberg... "Аврора," (Aurora in english) stright, with a pickle on the side (180.50 rub 1/2 a liter...under $7 US). This is a brand owned by Russian standard.
I was hoping to upload some pics of different bottles I have here, but they are not comming out very clear...(web cam.) On the cheap and in a pinch i like Svedka as well. "LUX" (a russian brand) was my staple for a while but there were some quality issues with it and the wives family stopped using it, so we took their lead.

Rusian standard is pretty good, as mentioned

I have an untried bottle of "Маруся" I'll review it when I try it.

There are so many good vodkas that don't cost much at all in russia, I have never forked out for the high dollar big names...

Cool thing I like about Russia, go to a bar and buy the bottle, sit and drink, "old west style" its as common as having a few beers for most of us here in the US.

I'll add pics later, and have another shot Now:)

[RDog]

not the best pic...but here you go

[skyx39]

My Belorussian relatives would drink whatever you served them. One I just tried that was good is an Icelandish Vodka called Reyka.

[Biff]

Tito's Vodka and Dripping Springs Vodka are really good. Both distilleries are in the greater Austin, TX area.

[bae]

There are so many good vodkas that don't cost much at all in russia, I have never forked out for the high dollar big names...

I've always wondered if many of the "high dollar big names" are just marketing fluff?

[randyho]

Tito's Vodka and Dripping Springs Vodka are really good. Both distilleries are in the greater Austin, TX area.Ah, the traditional Texas vodkas. :wink: Tito's is tasty with a peppery finish. Hard to go wrong with Ketel 1 or Grey Goose. And I wouldn't hesitate to pour a Luksosowa or 42below.

For mixers, Skyy, Sobieski, or Maxim's are all just dandy.

[ZMB HNTR]

I've used Svedka and Grey Goose to mix, and Russian Standard to sip.

[Doug Little]

Ahh Vodka...my favorite libation. We used to be big Ketel fans. Kept a big bottle in the freezer all the time. When they raised their prices we switched to Svedka. I think it is just as good and it is literally half the price of Ketel for the big bottle at Safeway. Recently the guys at Total Wine introduced me to a French vodka called Summum. I know that many vodka purists don't believe in any vodka from France, but this is pretty good stuff and only a couple dollars more than Svedka..

On a recent trip to Boise, I tried a local vodka called Revolution. Pretty good stuff but local to Idaho only.

[Bill the Vet]

Can't believe it took 28 posts for Tito's be mentioned:yumyum:. Another good Kosher for Passover spirit(& overall great value-Monoplova Potato vodka from Poland.

[Tom Cornelius]

I like Tito's...

[chad newton]

Ive always said white Russians are my favorite drink. I don't care what vodkas in it.

[Hastur]

Another Luksusowa fan here, that is goooood. And I'm not a huge vodka fan. Whiskey is more my speed.