Obscure Vodka that's actually good?

[AutoUnion32]

I've done the Skyy, Absoulet, Smironoff, Grey Goose multiple times. Not a huge drinker, but I have been enjoying my vodka recently.

So Vortex, what other brands do you recommend? What other brands am I missing out on? or is Grey Goose really the best as everyone says it is?

Recently, I've been a fan of Skyy's new Blood Orange Infusions and Absoulet Mango is one of my favorites also. Grey Groose L'orange is good also.

[Spinnaker]

I've done the Skyy, Absoulet, Smironoff, Grey Goose multiple times. Not a huge drinker, but I have been enjoying my vodka recently.

So Vortex, what other brands do you recommend? What other brands am I missing out on? or is Grey Goose really the best as everyone says it is?

Recently, I've been a fan of Skyy's new Blood Orange Infusions and Absoulet Mango is one of my favorites also. Grey Groose L'orange is good also.

If you want to go obscure, go with a name no one has ever heard of. Usually the bottle next to Skyy that you've never heard of for roughly the same price will taste better because their money goes into the product, not the advertising.

Then again I drink Finlandia so . . . .

[-kt]

http://www.rainvodka.com/Home

Organic Vodka distilled 7 times. I like Grey Goose but I like this stuff too.

Lavender Lemonade
Honey Mango Melon
Original
Red Grape Hibiscus
Cucumber Lime

[DKGRNVR6]

I just had a shot of this vodka over the weekend, and damn was i impress with it, it was veryyy smooth

[smittyATL]

I always stick with Smirnoff if I'm doing vodka.

It's just vodka. It's not like they do anything besides distill, filter, and bottle.

I find premium vodka to be more about image than anything else. I've heard you can pour any crap vodka through a Britta filter and it will taste identical to the premium brands.

James Bond drank Smirnoff, so it's good enough for me.

[AutoUnion32]

I just had a shot of this vodka over the weekend, and damn was i impress with it, it was veryyy smooth

Ciroc seems so overpriced. I've had it on multiple occasions and it just isn't as smooth as Grey Goose, yet costs about the same. It does have a little more 'bite' than Grey Goose. Still good vodka though

[LeDubber]

Three Olives


Costco Kirkland Brand

[Papa Dras]

Like mentioned, vodka is not exactly a liquor that is very complex. There a little subtle differences, but most people end up mixing them anyway and so it doesn't matter.

I used to be a big vodka drinker for years and if I wanted something smoother, I went with Finlandia or GG. If I wanted a peppery, spicy taste, I went with K1. I only drank it on the rocks with no mixers, though.

My friend is one of 4 partners in a vodka that has been killing it for the last couple years and is very good called Ceren. It's a little hard to find I think, but try it if you see it.

[gruuuven]

check out boyd and blair potato vodka. http://boydandblair.com/

[Ryan D]

Like mentioned, vodka is not exactly a liquor that is very complex. There a little subtle differences, but most people end up mixing them anyway and so it doesn't matter.

This. If I'm buying vodka that is going to be used in mixed drinks I'm buying the store brand vodka that is like $10 for a handle.

I've heard some good things about Three Olives but have yet to try it out. Also, Blue Ice is another brand of potato vodka. I had it years ago and remember it being quite smooth.

[chetacer]

I always stick with Smirnoff if I'm doing vodka.

It's just vodka. It's not like they do anything besides distill, filter, and bottle.

I find premium vodka to be more about image than anything else. I've heard you can pour any crap vodka through a Britta filter and it will taste identical to the premium brands.

James Bond drank Smirnoff, so it's good enough for me.

Smirnoff...blech! There's a big difference, it's not image. James Bond was a commercial for Smirnoff. Mythbusters already busted the Britta vodka thing.

Effen is good if you can find it. Try Zubrowka from Poland on its own or with a bit of apple juice:

[osmobot]

[vdubjb]

http://vodkabuzz.com/vodkas/fris and strictly speaking, Ciroc is not Vodka.

[Spinnaker]

http://vodkabuzz.com/vodkas/fris and strictly speaking, Ciroc is not Vodka.

Just found out last night it's made from grapes. Then I was at a bar and had a shot the bartender recommended, she later told me it was corn vodka wtf.

[chrisj428]

I like Ciroc for sweeter mixed drinks. My favorite for martinis has been Voxx, but I can't seem to find it lately.

And, what the Pols don't know about vodka isn't worth knowing.

[smittyATL]

There is no standardization for ingredients in vodka.

"Vodka may be distilled from any starch/sugar-rich plant matter..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodka

I believe the original vodkas were made from grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Potato vodka was only available after Europeans brought potatoes back from the New World.

The EU passed a regulation requiring ingredients to be listed if not grain/potato, but it does not exclude these from being labeled vodka.

The recent success of grape-based vodka in the United States has prompted traditional vodka producers in the Vodka Belt countries of Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Sweden to campaign for EU legislation that will categorize only spirits made from grain or potatoes as "vodka."[17][18] This proposition has provoked heavy criticism from south European countries, which often distill used mash from wine-making into spirits; although higher quality mash is usually distilled into some variety of pomace brandy, lower-quality mash is better turned into neutral-flavored spirits instead. Any vodka then not made from either grain or potatoes would have to display the products used in its production. This regulation was adopted by the European Parliament on June 19, 2007.

I would say Ciroc is indeed vodka.

[leitmotif]

Costco Kirkland Brand

I agree. Unfortunately, we can't get it anymore since TX has the ol' TABC.

I also like Crater Lake Vodka and Blue Ice.

[patrikman]

http://deathsdoorspirits.com/



Tito's is pretty damn good too.

[chetacer]

http://deathsdoorspirits.com/

Yeah, obscure vodka = gin!

[Señor Peligro]

The best.

[Harv]

Double Cross from Slovakia.



It kills in bottle design and taste. I usually stock up on a few bottles when I find it.

In 2008, Double Cross won a gold medal for taste and a gold medal for package design at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.[4]

Wine Enthusiast gave Double Cross a rare 95-point "Highly Recommended" review and also included Double Cross in it selection of "Top 50 Spirits from 2009[5]

F. Paul Pacult, in his industry publication Spirit Journal, gave Double Cross a 4-star/”Highly Recommended” review.[6] while Anthony Dias Blue gave Double Cross an “Outstanding” review in the Tasting Panel Magazine.[7]

Playboy magazine said "rare that we single out a vodka for praise, but we'll make an exception for Double Cross."

[patrikman]

Yeah, obscure vodka = gin!

They make vodka too, genius. Obviously I copy pasted the wrong pic (my netbook is tiny).If you would have clicked the link..............

[smittyATL]

They make vodka too, genius. Obviously I copy pasted the wrong pic (my netbook is tiny).If you would have clicked the link..............

Gin is actually just flavored vodka anyway, so you weren't really too off the mark.

[VR6GTI72]

Svedka is the best bang for the buck. Rather smooth for being $17 per 1.75l

[Ryan D]

Svedka is the best bang for the buck. Rather smooth for being $17 per 1.75l

A friend of mine is very faithful to his Svedka.

[eli10]

Local WA stuff...

[Hostile]

Not exactly obscure but we have amassed quite the collection of Van Gogh Vodka at home. The Dutch Caramel is crazy good.

[v-dubIV]

usually go with the grey goose, since it's super smooth and doesn't leave me feeling like crap the next day, but if i don't feel like springing the dough for that and i want something cheaper i go for Rain

[sirswank]

ketel one or belvedere are my go-to vodkas





ciroc is NOT smooth, IMO. very sharp


i hate flavored spirits that aren't schnappes.


*ON TOPIC*

Blavod


it's a "black" (really dark blue) tinted vodka that's pretty damn good, and fun to mix with

[AutoUnion32]

The best.

Just bought some at Shaw's. 29.99 for a 750mL. Same price as Grey Goose. I'll report back on how good it is.

[ClockworkChad]

if im just drinking at home, svedka is my go to, or 'Olifant' ive found to be pretty decent.

Coconut Ciroc is absolutely amazing. Ive gotten half of my extended family drinking it.

[BAD SNaCKY]

I guess obscurity varies where you come from....

but Ketel One seems to be one that surprise people. It's not super cheap, not super expensive, and is very smooth; i prefer it over some of the bigger brands like Belevedere or Skyy.

[Ryan D]

I guess obscurity varies where you come from....

but Ketel One seems to be one that surprise people. It's not super cheap, not super expensive, and is very smooth; i prefer it over some of the bigger brands like Belevedere or Skyy.

I don't think I've ever had Ketel One or Belvedere but I can't stand Skyy.

[ClockworkChad]

I guess obscurity varies where you come from....

but Ketel One seems to be one that surprise people. It's not super cheap, not super expensive, and is very smooth; i prefer it over some of the bigger brands like Belevedere or Skyy.

ive never cared for belvedere, i dont think its very smooth vodka. skyy is a bit lower shelf than ketel 1 even, but I do order ketel 1 in a dirty martini, i prefer it.

[SinisterMind]