Review of Best Vodka Brands and Types
A good quality vodka is distinguishable by its finish. Good premium brand vodkas are smooth tasting and possess quality textures while badly produced vodkas tend to burn your mouth and throat. Martini purists refuse to acknoweldge that vodka has anything to do with a martini. To them, a martini refers to a gin martini. In recent years, though, companies such as Smirnoff, Belvedere, Chopin, Stolichnaya, Grey Goose and Ketel One have spent enormous marketing sums to alter social norms. Thus, the vodka martini or vodkatini was born and it seems that a vodka martini recipe exists for every liquer, essence and juice known to mankind. Vodka’s are made from different ingredients; some vodkas are made from wheat, some from rye or barley, some from potatoes. Glance at the list below and choose your favorite.
How Vodka is Made
Vodka can be distilled from starchy or sugary plants. Today, vodka is produced from grains such as corn, wheat, rye or sorghum. The superior grain vodkas are produced from wheat and rye (example: Belvedere Vodka).
Still, other vodkas are produced not from grains but from potatoes, molasses, soybeans, grapes or oil refining and wood pulp processing byproducts.
All vodkas tend to have a neutral taste because they are filtered through charcoal which removes all impurities so that only pure alcohol and pure water remain. Learn more about the History of Vodka.
Differences in taste between Vodka Brands*
Many vodka consumers claim they can tell a difference in taste between different brands. To test this ability the ABC News program “20/20” conducted a non-scientific survey of six (6) people aged 21-40 who sampled six (6) different brands of vodka. There were five (5) different super premium vodkas ($30-$60, 750ml, 2005) and a mid-priced vodka, Smirnoff ($13, 750ml, 2005).
At the beginning of the survey the participants were asked to name their favorite vodka brand. Four (4) people named Grey Goose as their favorite ($30, 750ml, 2005). After sampling all six (6) unmarked, neat vodka samples, five of the six testers chose the same vodka, Grey Goose, as their least favorite sample.
When the six (6) brands were combined with other beverages to form a mixed rink, i.e., a cosmopolitan - 3 parts vodka, 1 part triple sec, 1 part lime juice & 1 part cranberry juice - most of them were unable to differentiate between the brands. The suggestion was to order ‘house vodka’ or an inexpensive vodka with mixed drinks and your favorite (as far as you know) vodka if ordered neat, on the rocks or as a martini.
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodka
Origin and Contents of the Best Vodka Brands
Review Premium Luxury Vodkas as selected by The American Mixologist
- Belvedere Vodka – Poland – premium vodka distilled from rye
- Chopin Vodka – Poland – luxury vodka distilled from potatoes, named after Polish composer Frederic Chopin. Seven (7) pounds of potatoes are used to make just one (1) bottle.
- VeeV Liqueur – South America – luxury vodka substitute made from organic Acai berries
- Stolichnaya Vodka – Russia – distilled from winter wheat in Russia’s oldest distillery using pure glacial waters. Herbal and pine bouquet
- Bak’s Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka – Poland – distilled from potatoes and artesian well water with a hint of bison grass
- Absolut Vodka – Sweden – distilled from winter wheat
- Finlandia Vodka – Finland – distilled from barley and glacier water, silky texture, medium weight body, a bit harsh yet warm and provides a smooth finish
- Grey Goose Vodka – France – quality vodka distilled from French wheat with impeccable clarity and supple medium weight body. Crisp, clean and smooth finish.
- Ketel One Dutch Vodka – Netherlands – distilled from pure wheat in an alembic copper pot, a method reserved for fine scotches and cognacs. Citrus and toasted cereal aromas. Sweet and spicy flavor first ftaste.
- Luksusowa Potato Vodka (lux-sus-ova) – Poland – distilled from potatoes with hint of herbs and caramel
- Cristall Vodka – Russia – distilled from winter wheat and glacial waters with hints of chocolate and vanilla
- Original Polish Vodka – Poland – distilled from rye, crystal clear with lightweight, satiny smooth body with a caramel bouquet.
- Pearl Vodka – Western Canada – distilled from wheat, is brisk and refreshing with soft creamy aromas
- Purus Vodka – Italy – luxury vodka distilled from organic Italian wheat
- Rain Vodka – Kentucky – distilled from yeast and organically grown corn with hint of fruit and toffee
- Van Hoo Vodka – Belgium – distilled from grain and spring water. Bouquet of citrus cocoa and grain. Taste of quinine and lemon.
- Van Gogh Vodka – Netherlands – distilled using mostly wheat, some barley and corn in a copper potstill for extra smoothness. Citrus taste, silky texture.
- Vox Vodka – Netherlands – distilled from wheat said to have a weightless body and clean palate (taste)
- 360 Vodka – United States – luxury vodka distilled from grain
Best Value Vodkas
- SKYY Vodka – USA – no carbohydrates, said to contain the fewest impurities of the leading brands, distilled from American Midwest grain with cocoa. Considered a light vodka.
- Smirnoff – Russia, now USA – distilled from grain with hint of mint, wet stone and charcoal
- Blavod Black Vodka – London – distilled from grain - color and smoothness attributed to the Black Catechu, a tannin resin of the Acacia catechu heartwood, a tree indigenous to India and Burma
- Gilbeys Vodka – USA – distilled from grain
- Gordons Vodka – USA – distilled from grain
- Mor Vodka – Poland – distilled from potatoes
- Wodka Wyborowa – Poland – distilled from rye
- Three Olives Vodka – England – distilled from English wheat
- Oliphant Vodka – Holland – distilled from
- 3 Vodka – USA – 1st and only vodka distilled from soy and contains no carbohydrates
The American Mixologist Online
http://www.barmedia.com/amo/1433pip.htm
Vodka Brand info courtesy of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vodkas
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