Consolidated "Vodka" thread
 

I have tried Russian Standard a few days ago and it is GOOD! The smothest vodka I've ever had.



Reyka and Svedka are quite good as well, but Russian Standard is the best. What's your favorite?

Chopin...real potatoe vodka & very smooth. I only drink in neat. Never heard of Russian Standard. I'll have to check it out if I can find it.

I love Belvedere. The other day someone I suggested Rain, an American Vodka filtered 7 times and made from organic grains. It was awful and tasted like perfume. I threw it out. :td:

Brilliant vodka, from Scotland -- smooth and almost creamy.

I also like Absolut Kurant. I'm the only one. I'm the guy they make it for.

Second that! Van Gogh and Ketel One are also good.

I find Stoli Elite pretty good.

Can't stand Grey Goose anymore.

Belevedere is decent.

My ex-gf swears that Smirnoff Black is the best. I have yet to see it.

Level.

I guess you have tried ordinary Russian Standard. There is also Russian Standard Platinum and this is much much better.

I would also have to say Belvedere.

I've become quite fond of a brand called Hangar One, produced in Alameda, CA. Hard to believe, I know. Their regular vodka is excellent, as is one with Buddha's Hand (an unusual kind of citrus).

Last time I had vodka of any sort was in St.Petersburg during the Russian Christmas celebrations of 2006, so not a favourite drink as such.

But the Russkij Standart mentioned in this thread seems good quality-and tastewise with zakuski and also Moskovskaya is not that bad. I'd also like to try some of the Ukrainian and Polish spiced up vodkas (pepper etc.) with local fare to see how they match.

But not that keen on brands from outside the "vodka belt" and would almost like to have it "origin protected" ala Cognac and Port.

Unfortunately, that is not going to happen as the EU just decided that vodka can be made from just about anything. There has to be a mention on the label if it is not made from grains or potatoes, but no restrictions.

The ruling was backed by traditional vodka powerhouses such as Britain, France, the Netherlands and Austria.

It seem to me that now I should be able to add a little bit of fizz to my dandelion wine and call it Champange Thalassa Blanc de Dandelions...

Cheers,
T.

Crater lake anyone?

my new favorite type of vodka is Żubrówka (or Bison Grass)
I had it for the first time a few weekends ago when friends who had been in Poland for a wedding dropped in to visit.
Its FANTASTIC. Had it over ice, and it was wonderfully drinkable.

As to the earlier poster who spoke about filtering vodka...
You can filter vodka yourself at home! All you have to do is take a cheap brand, run it through a Brita pitcher a few times, and you end up with a much better tasting vodka.

For mixing drinks: Smirnoff
For straight up sipping: Stoli
For real sipping and enjoyment: Chopin