Gothamist: From Russia with Love

Chris

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 15:16:25 -0500

My new favorite vodka is Orange V. It's very different than anything I've had before. So much better than Orange Absolut or Grey Goose. They make it from Organic grain and it's real smooth. THe best part is it is flavored with Florida oranges and a lot of them. Tastes like eating an orange, awesome on the rocks, I also like it with club soda for something light. THough it's ahrd to find its in a few stores in Manhattan, maybe there website will help you find it. Orangevodka.com.

Fred

Sun, 06 Feb 2005 19:10:57 -0500

Try Luksusowa: Polish, distilled from potatoes. As a high-school boy (1950's)I worked in a distillery where we produced, among other things, vodka. It comprised neutral grain spirits diluted with water to 80 proof and then filtered again and again through activated charcoal. The U.S. Gov't agent spot-checked for taste - the ultimate "government job" - if there was any (taste) back it went through the filters. I don't see how this process could yield anything but identically tasting vodkas. The European potato vodkas, I am told, are spared the flavor-removing filtration.

Col. Harlan Sanders

Thu, 03 Feb 2005 08:39:14 -0500

I'd like to weigh in on this one with an unpopular choice. I like Absolut. It has a faintly anisette flavour I enjoy. Also Belvedere is outstandingly dry. And contrary to the "neutral spirits" rap, I do detect a taste-change in mixed drinks with different vodkas as long as the mixers are not juices.

ron

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 18:20:02 -0500

Vodka from the freezer is great neat, but don't use it in martinis: It won't dilute much in the shaker so it will stay extremely potent. Tastes great, but makes for an unexpectedly early evening. PS - Ketel One has a nice flavor to it, IMHO, and good old Stoli 80 is smooth and kind of sweet (haven't tried the Gold). PPS - Screw the NYT and their Time Out wannabe article.

juepucta

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 15:01:55 -0500

Probably the one great "occidental" vodka is Tanqueray by the way. G.

juepucta

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 14:58:56 -0500

That is why, when drinking chilled vodka, by itself, you should always go for ex-comunist block brands; Polish and Russian for the most part. Vodka was popularized in the mid-fifties in the US as a drink to be mixed (read: martinis) and as pretty much neutral spirit. Smirnoff's fault this is - Master Yoda would say. Eastern Europe vodkas do have spirit, personality and character. Burn is part of it, some have it some don't. Always good to have some "greasy" food to nibble and eat on while SIPPING on your ice cold "little water". Keep a bottle always in the freezer - it won't freeze - it will keep it at perfect temperature for consumption and serve on long shot glasses. Test tubes work as well. One great thing about drinking real vodka is that you don't have to spend a lot of $$$ to taste the good stuff. I personally love the Polish stuff, Wyborowa for example. G.

Clayton

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 14:19:58 -0500

Georgi is pretty good.

Justin

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 13:16:09 -0500

I tried Svedka - as good if not better than anything top shelf - but half the price. plus their clementine rocks...

Tamara

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:44:19 -0500

I haven't tried Hangar One, does it taste similar to Ciroc since it is partially made with grapes?

Rose

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:36:34 -0500

Yes, they did pick Smirnoff. I like Hangar One to sip straight and Grey Goose overall but Absolut Citron in my Bloody Mary.

KeithS

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:12:56 -0500

People who order Grey Goose and tonic crack me up. Vodka is such an interesting drink category, in that it represents the supreme triumph of marketing and style over substance and taste. Which is why I suppose I'm a gin drinker, occasional visits to the Russian Vodka Room notwithstanding. (Love those house-infused vodkas.)

Doctor Memory

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 09:57:26 -0500

Just remember: Cheap Vodka + Brita Filter = Expensive Vodka

S.D.

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 09:47:45 -0500

I'm partial to Grey Goose myself...

Tamara

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 09:45:19 -0500

Actually, the Jan 26 NY Times story picked Smirnoff as their Vodka of choice, not Stoli Gold and there was no mention of Pravda.

anna

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 09:37:16 -0500

Why no mention of the Jan 26 NYTimes story where the professionals did the exact same thing (went to Pravda, sampled vodkas with friends, discussed flavors, preferred Stoli, etc)? I like Gothamist Food, but this was a waste of space...and about a week too late.

Offbalance

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 09:20:54 -0500

I agree, Stoli gold is GREAT stuff. Pity so few bars serve it.