I feel like I need to apologize in advance for this because the kind people over at Reyka vodka were nice enough to send a bottle of their new vodka to me to try, and presumably, it flew all the way over here from Iceland! However, I can't promise that I have the nicest things to say about Reyka Vodka.
Reyka Vodka's bottle design is what struck me first -- there is absolutely nothing sexy about the packaging at all. Unlike so many of the new vodkas that are being marketed these days that are tall, sleek, and smooth, sometimes opaque to hide the elixir inside, Reyka is a rather short, squat bottle that has a slight bluish cast, like a soda bottle. The label is plain white paper that almost looks like stationary, with simple black block lettering. I suppose, in a way, it's a little bit refreshing to come across something so straightforward.
I tried the vodka first at room temperature, straight up. (Don't worry, I only sipped when I tasted!) It didn't have any noticeably unusual fragrance or flavor, but it definitely had a stinging bite at first sip that I often associate with inexpensive grocery store vodkas. I usually crinkle my nose and think "rubbing alcohol."
Next up, I tried Reyka Vodka straight (no mixer), over ice. This was slightly easier to take, and since I'm not a chemist, I have no idea if it has to do with some thermodynamic reaction between vodka and ice that causes the "bite" to weaken, or if whatever tiny bit of melted ice served to dilute it. The flavor was the same, but of course, there wasn't much fragrance. There was, however, that bit of "sublimation" that comes off of cold drinks when the air is warm. It was kind of cool (pun totally intended).
Finally, I tried the Reyka Vodka in a couple of cocktails. This is never really a fair test because juices and sodas can hide even the harshest of flavors. However, in the end, you just want to find out if your vodka is so bad that you're just putting lipstick on a pig. I poured myself a Reyka and club soda over a generous cup of ice, and had a taste. It was delicious. But then again, that was my third glass, and vodka/soda is my signature drink!
When shopping to re-stock my bar, I doubt I will pick up a bottle of Reyka again.
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