Posted on 09/14/2024 5:44:18 PM PDT by ChicagoConservative27
Vodka is perhaps the spirit with the least personality. It doesn't bring much by way of tasting notes to the table, but when you're looking for a clean, clear liquor to serve a boozy kick without dominating the flavor profile of your drink, vodka is what you want to reach for. Around the world, vodkas are made from grains, potatoes, sugar cane, and even maple sap. There are some pretty cheap ones on the market, leaving you wondering which of them are worth the buy?
Bottom shelf is a term that can come with some stigma, but here we use it to simply mean affordable. If you don't want to spend big bucks on fancy liquor, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality. There's quite a spectrum on the bottom shelf, so we've spoken to some experts to get a sense of the best options at the low end of the price range. They all agree that vodka isn't something you need to spend a lot of money on.
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I use Absolut to make homemade vanilla extract.
I tried rum for one batch, too, and the flavor and fragrance of the extract was AWESOME.
Iceberg Vodka is a pretty good, cheap brand. It’s made in Newfoundland, and the gimmick is that it’s made from iceberg water.
Obviously, it’s easy to get in Canada, but I’ve also been able to get it in liquor stores in Florida and Texas (not sure about other states).
Sobieski and Smirnoff do fantastic on blind taste tests.
Texas vodka, available out here at Trader Joes, is only 10 bucks a bottle and is pretty good.
When I have a cocktail — maybe twice a year — vodka is what I like. Screwdriver or Cape Cod. I’ve recently discovered concentrated cherry juice, and feel that might be good in vodka.
I’m interested.
Not a fan of Tito’s. I was at a work dinner 10+ years ago (I paid) in Texas, when Tito’s was gaining popularity. My buddy and I wanted a vodka tonic. The waitress sold us on trying Tito’s. It was terrible. The only time I ever sent back a cocktail in my life. People still joke about that and hey, it’s a question of taste - and imho Tito’s just tastes terrible.
I like Stolichnaya. Bartenders call me “old school”. Maybe I am. I’ll drink Ketel One. Taste similar to Stoli but 50% more per bottle. I just won’t drink Tito’s. Actually during pandemic I tried several plastic bottle vodkas. I suppose if you put enough lime and/or tonic and/or juice it all is tolerable. But I like what I like.
None of these are bottom shelf brands.
If I’m going to drink vodka, I insist on a good one. Ketel One is my personal favorite; Grey Goose will do. Next comes Absolut.
Vodka & 7-up. Oh yeah, sounds good right now.
Vodka being vodka they should have gone not for “bottom shelf” level but “parts cleaner” or “wound disinfectant” level. Bowmans Virginia Vodka and Senators Club are my nominations...
What about Heaen Hill and Kamchatka vodka?
And Walmarts premium Canadian whisky in the Caliber store brand of spirits? Very passable bar liquors for mixed well drinks.
I delivered freight to a Russian owned distribution warehouse in Rockville, MD. Told the guy I like Stoli. He said that was the worst vodka. He told me about some ‘blue’ vodka. Can’t remember the name.
Anyhow, I still like Stoli :)
I did an audit at a company that blended alcohol. Their biggest seller was vodka. They’d blend 10,000 gallons at a time. It was the same product beginning to end. They bottled it in several different labels all with a different shelf level. They were local. In New England. It was hilarious. Five different price points and it was all exactly the same stuff.
Crystal Head for drinking straight. So smooth.
Absolut for my Vesper martinis.
Pinnacle is a decent inexpensive vodka if you mix.
Straight in a martini, go for Zyr or similar
Must be 30+ years since I’ve had any vodka. Back then Smirnoff was plenty good enough.
I've got 4oz of 100 proof Smirnoff Vodka with three vanilla beans going for about a week now. Already has turned a nice dark color. How long do you usually let it infuse before using it?
Folks, (You’ve probably heard of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease) not that I’m a sufferer of “Micky Mantle’s Disease”, but personal experience has taught me that you can buy super low quality Vodka (Think Vladimir/”Vladdy Rage”) and run it through a Britta filter half a dozen times and that bottle of Nikolai will taste like Grey Goose.
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