Best vodka to stock for my new sweetheart -- Gimmee some help!

[devilbiss]

Another one I didn't see mentioned is Shakers. Very good vodka from Minnesota not sure of its availability around the country.

Here is a link from a taste test which rated Chopin #1

http://www.slate.com/id/2106004

[martenJ]

very good vodka, dunno if its avaible in the US

[kioshk]

Alaska attacks..... Kamchatka!!!

[UbinTook]

Interesting that this discussion on vodka hasnt focused more on WHY certain vodkas taste different and why some like one and some another.
Vodka can be distilled from virtually anything, but Potato "tends" to be considered by many as the source for an authentic vodka.
Fruit can also be a source.
Many, like Grey Goose are distilled from a combination of grains...wheat , rye, and barley.
Some, Ketel for instance just a single grain...wheat.
Chopin is a true potato vodka.
The reality is, taste is subjective, "better" can only be determined by an individual.
I was a Stoli (wheat) man myself( 17 years since my last)

[kyleb]

Zyr is my go-to liquor, though I've heard good things about XO.

[Reef]

[tsimtsim]

Russkij Standart. The best there is.

[delaware99]

Jewel of Russia is the best you can find in the states.

Engaged to a Russian, so i have been around vodka a lot in the past few years.

Most vodkas are about the same, so if price is an issue try absolute, skyy, K1. if you want to go for best def Jewel of Russia.

[DirtyDiggs]

In speaking with a regional food & beverage critic, he had lauds for Jean-Marc XO as the best Vodka in regular production. If you're not familiar, its considered a super-premium vodka from France IRC. Its fermented/conditioned in cognac barrels, which is suposed to add to its finish. Its usually priced around $5-10 more than Grey Goose at retail.



Hangar 1 is definitely a nice Vodka, we used to carry it at the resturant where I used to work. Although there was self-styled coneissuer, semi-regular who said that he thought it lacked "complexity." I personally don't think thats really an issue for Vodkas and think it might have had a little to do with a Euro-centric bias on his part, but I have heard that they distil Hangar 1 in a type of metal container that is considered inferior. I have no info to back it up.



My personal recommendation is for a Vodka called Luksusowa, a polish potato Vodka. Was recommended by friend who bartends, and my appreciation took off from there. When it started being introduced in my area, it was priced comprably to Ketel One. (and was superior at that price point IMHO) It apparenly hasn't been very sucessfull, as prices have droped. I recently just bought a 750ml for $13, though this is likely artificially low due to being in a college town. I'm not sure about its U.S. wide availablility. Its nice to have a bottle around that I could enjoy straight if the spirit moves me, and I don't feel guilty about throwing in with some redbull or ill-concieved cocktail before a night donking it up with some friends. Great, smooth Vodka with some distiction. At current market prices, possibly the best value in all of spirits.

[dasein]

You really should find out if he prefers grain or potato vodka. That being said a really nice vodka that gets very little play around here is Teton Glacier. It is an exceptional potato vodka at a very reasonable price.

Teton Glacier Vodka kudos