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Russian Potato Water pt. 1

Auzzie-Phoenix

Auzzie-Phoenix

Mar 30, 2007
681
101
Columbus, OH
#1
This here is a vodka appreciation thread. Name your favorite brands, and favorite drinks made with the ever wonderful russian potato water.

Off the top of my head for brands: Pearl, Stolichnaya, Vox
Drinks: Raspberry vodka w/ cranberry juice on the rocks, white russians, straight up on the rocks.
 
#3
I'm no connoisseur, and not the best at describing tastes and smells in words, but here are my thoughts on vodka.

Ketel One is the best! It has a distinctive taste to it that I love, and no unpleasant burn or aftertaste. Ciroc is probably my second favorite. Maybe it's all in my head, but I could swear it has a mild white wine vibe to it, being distilled from grapes. Grey Goose is also nice. Smooth and clean. Might be a bit overpriced, though. I don't like Belvedere at all. It's not that it's a bad vodka; it's actually quite smooth and pleasant, it's just that I don't like the taste of rye grain in vodka. I've heard people say Chopin potato vodka is amongst the best on the market, but I thought it tasted like potato rubbing alcohol when I tried it. Russian Standard is one of the smoothest vodkas I've tried. It starts off flavorless, then you get a bit of an aftertaste that I could swear is sort of like rye grain, even though it's made from wheat, IIRC. Sobieski is one of the worst I've tried, with a bitter aftertaste. Stolichnaya seems to have a bit of a burn to it.

Oddly enough, I prefer Smirnoff's vanilla vodka to Absolut's. Smirnoff is more like vanilla beans, Absolut is more like sugary syrup. As a side note, vanilla is the only flavored vodka I will drink straight.

Edit: If you want a good martini- 2 ounces of vanilla vodka, 1 ounce of absinthe, and 3/4 of an ounce dry vermouth. Best thing ever. :)
 
#15
MJ5150 said:
Because the internet said so. Here is a quote from Wikipedia...

Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits and/or sugar.

-Mike
Click to expand...

It's true, you can make it out of anything... However, potatoes were introduced to eastern Europe a bit later then vodka thing started.

and stoli is gross. Most of Russians will agree.
 
#18
Having tried all the top brands I never feel sorry that I have Tito's Handmade Vodka on my shelf. Best vodka I've ever had, bar none. Freeze it and drink it neat. Great for a dirty martini.

The Grey Goose product gives me an idea of what I'd taste if I did a shot of axle grease. Can't stand the stuff. As far as the top name brands, Stoli or Ketel are my choices if Tito's isn't available. Smirnoff is surprisingly good, too, but nowhere near the clarity of taste Tito's gives.

An out of the way brand that I do enjoy is Reyka from Iceland.

Sadly, Shaker's Vodka is gone. Mismanagement, it seems, killed a great product. Shaker's was exceptional, perhaps the only one which MIGHT have given Tito's a run for the money. If you see some in the liquor store, buy it. You won't be sorry.

iJazz - At 80 proof.
 
#19
Svedka doesn't wow me. Though it's not bad, either.

Concerning potatoes, vodka is indeed made from all sorts of stuff, but usually NOT potatoes. Ciroc is made from grapes, Belvedere is made from rye, Ketel One is made from wheat, some are made of wheat and rye blends. I've even heard of beet vodka. Has anyone tried such a thing?
 

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