Consolidated "Vodka" thread
Jan 13, 2021 | 9:19 am
#451
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This flavored foods/beverage idea has gotten me thinking that a thread dedicated to this topic in the general sense might be interesting chat fodder. Potato/corn chips, in particular, lend themselves to some truly insane flavor combinations (e.g. late night ramen, Hawaiian pizza, kungpao chicken) in regional markets.
Back on the vodka topic, here's a sampling of the current retail market here in Shanghai (all numbers represent CNY and the USD/CNY fx rate is around 6.5; assume 700ml or 750ml for each):
-random Russian vodkas 75
-Skyy 80 (but, I've seen it for as low as 59)
-Smirnov 80
-Stoli 80...a little more for desirable flavors
-Absolut 80-150, but 140 is most common
-Grey Goose 300
-Belvedere 325
-Tito's 350
We do have a piracy problem here, and vodka has to be insanely easy to fake, but I have a reasonable amount of trust in the larger channels (i.e. FamilyMart has minimal incentive to play games). I usually end up buying Skyy when I can find it, but readily admit that my decision process is driven by a combination of the fact that it is cheap and I'm a sucker for the cobalt bottles. At bars, I splurge for the higher end stuff...typically only a 25% premium v the house brand.
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Back on the vodka topic, here's a sampling of the current retail market here in Shanghai (all numbers represent CNY and the USD/CNY fx rate is around 6.5; assume 700ml or 750ml for each):
-random Russian vodkas 75
-Skyy 80 (but, I've seen it for as low as 59)
-Smirnov 80
-Stoli 80...a little more for desirable flavors
-Absolut 80-150, but 140 is most common
-Grey Goose 300
-Belvedere 325
-Tito's 350
We do have a piracy problem here, and vodka has to be insanely easy to fake, but I have a reasonable amount of trust in the larger channels (i.e. FamilyMart has minimal incentive to play games). I usually end up buying Skyy when I can find it, but readily admit that my decision process is driven by a combination of the fact that it is cheap and I'm a sucker for the cobalt bottles. At bars, I splurge for the higher end stuff...typically only a 25% premium v the house brand.
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David
Jan 13, 2021 | 9:25 am
#452
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Jan 13, 2021 | 1:54 pm
#453
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Do any of these import brands make special vodkas for the China market?
Mar 5, 2021 | 7:56 am
#454
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I make my own Swedish mulled wine (glgg) every year to give to our neighbors. It's very heavy on cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Typically I use mandarin vodka to strengthen it, but this year I decided to try Deep Eddy orange vodka. It made it a bit too bright, so adding some cinnamon vodka probably would've fixed it instantly. Instead, I threw in a few more sticks of cinnamon and let it steep for a few days, and that did the trick.
* - most of you might be aghast at the thought, but I think regular tonic water would make the drink too sweet**; plus, I don't need the extra calories during the pandemic
** - edited to add: which seems strange since Orangina contains 40-50g of sugar, whereas my drink only has 3g
Last edited by pseudoswede; Mar 5, 2021 at 8:02 am
Mar 5, 2021 | 8:25 am
#455
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I don't think the vodka itself is different but I wouldn't be surprised if the brands play around with the 700ml v 750ml thing in order to differentiate product that is sold through official v unofficial (e.g. duty free) channels.
Mar 6, 2021 | 12:21 pm
#456
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the $3.99 for 750ml, and Trader Joes only having cashiers, were my reasons for the purchase. Maybe I would have passed on jalapeo or anise or tomato vodkas. Or if Trader Joes had self-checkout, then I wouldnt have bothered. $3.99 is a lot of money for me but I couldnt not go for it.
As for regular Sobeiski, it is what buy here along with Pinnacle or Svedka. Whichever is on sale is my choice.
Mar 18, 2021 | 5:42 pm
#457
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Mar 22, 2021 | 10:42 am
#458
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https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/26/d...ts-rivals.html
I don't have a strong position for or against. I'm not a huge vodka drinker, as I tend more toward the brown spirits. But I've tried most of them, and lower priced brands like Smirnoff and New Amsterdam work fine for me. Of course, personal preference plays a very big part in it.
Mar 22, 2021 | 12:54 pm
#460
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My wife is a wine and vodka drinker, primarily vodka martinis. Since she likes them dirty, I make them for her with any of the midrange brands and she always comments on how good they are. Basically, if you're mixing them even with just a tablespoon of olive juice and vermouth, the midranges suffice.
Mar 22, 2021 | 12:57 pm
#461
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I like both of those brands as well. I'll buy them if they're on sale. To me, the smoothness is the factor. I don't want to feel like I'm burning my throat, but I want to know that I'm drinking alcohol. Smirnoff, New Amsterdam, and Tito's are brands I buy sometimes (Ketel only if it's a really good deal) and they all do that for me. Honestly, if I were to pick a favorite, it would probably be Stoli. It makes a very clean vodka martini. But at it's price, it's a rare treat.
My wife is a wine and vodka drinker, primarily vodka martinis. Since she likes them dirty, I make them for her with any of the midrange brands and she always comments on how good they are. Basically, if you're mixing them even with just a tablespoon of olive juice and vermouth, the midranges suffice.
My wife is a wine and vodka drinker, primarily vodka martinis. Since she likes them dirty, I make them for her with any of the midrange brands and she always comments on how good they are. Basically, if you're mixing them even with just a tablespoon of olive juice and vermouth, the midranges suffice.
Mar 22, 2021 | 1:25 pm
#462
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The vodka seems pretty clean tasting to me. I'll have to try the gin though. I enjoy the London dry gins and do spend more for a nice gin, although I'm usually perfectly happy with Beefeater's too. My preferred martini is gin with a splash of vermouth. Since my wife likes them "shaken, not stirred", if we're both having one, I'll just make a double batch of vodka martinis in the shaker (olive juice in her glass), so I do drink those sometimes. Vodka tonics are probably my go-to vodka drink.
Mar 23, 2021 | 1:00 pm
#463
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The vodka seems pretty clean tasting to me. I'll have to try the gin though. I enjoy the London dry gins and do spend more for a nice gin, although I'm usually perfectly happy with Beefeater's too. My preferred martini is gin with a splash of vermouth. Since my wife likes them "shaken, not stirred", if we're both having one, I'll just make a double batch of vodka martinis in the shaker (olive juice in her glass), so I do drink those sometimes. Vodka tonics are probably my go-to vodka drink.
Mar 23, 2021 | 1:15 pm
#464
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. It usually applies to wines more than liquor but I'm a firm believer in drinking what you like, not what someone says you should like.
Mar 23, 2021 | 1:58 pm
#465
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