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As several media sources have noted, there has recently been a surge in vodka sales. While these increases have occurred across the board, there has been a particularly large spike in so-called "value" and "popular" brands, which cost less than $9 per bottle.
In addition to the obvious price benefit, there is also the matter of flavor. As The New York Times noted, the premium vodka fad was largely an artificially created phenomenon, and the cheap stuff often tastes just as good as brands that cost five or six times as much.
Of course, as the comments in last November's Top Shelf Vodka post demonstrate, Slashfood's readers have known this for quite some time.
While you may not want to resort to Popov, as the Times seems to suggest, it's worth noting that Smirnoff, Luksusowa and Svedka are all outstanding, low-priced tipples. And, just in case the Times decides to copy us yet again, remember that you heard it here first!
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3-31-2009 @1:34PM Ali said... After living in Russia for a period of time and learning how to drink, prepare and purchase vodka appropriately, I understand why the New York times made their judgments. They are only judging on regularly made available American vodkas and imports, which does judge correctly: most of them taste the same. However, what is problematic is the shelf life - vodka does not stay well in plastic bottles, as it will take on the taste of the container. Vodka will decompose the plastic gradually, and that is what will contribute to the taste. Recommendation: take the cheapest shelf vodka with a glass container - it'll be worth it, keep, and taste better. But ultimately, these vodkas are nothing compared to Russian brands, which are optimally smooth, have a light taste, and consumed like tequila, but with pickles or dried fish. If the vodka is a "good," it will NOT burn.
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3-31-2009 @1:46PM Alan said... Personally for the cheap but clean taste I prefer Monopolowa. (sp?) It's polish, very clean and rarely costs me more than $10 a 1/5th.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolowa
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3-31-2009 @1:56PM Jeff said... I've been drinking Gordon's for quite a while, and find it to be quite palatable. But the difference for me, is that I can drink Ketel One, which I find absolutely to my liking, and I get far less of a hangover than with Gordon's consumed in the same quantities.
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3-31-2009 @10:12PM Alex said... Here is a test for you. Start off taking a shots of cheap vodka. Then take a shot of good vodka right after. Then try taking another shot of the first vodka again. If it goes down a lot harder then you can clearly tell which vodka is better. Trust me after running out of the good stuff and having to switch to a cheaper brand there is a hell of a big difference (even being drunk).
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4-01-2009 @10:12PM ChefR0b said... Your best bet is to buy that 1.5 liter, $23 bottle of Skyy Vodka. It's cheap enough to last you awhile and mixes great with Cranberry-Raspberry, Cran-Blueberry, or Cran-Pomegranate. Fill a small cup with crushed ice, add a whole shot (1.5 oz) of Skyy, then fill the rest with juice and stir. You won't taste the harshness of the alcohol because it's a good quality vodka; try doing that with Popov and you will regret it. One word of advice: Don't buy flavored vodkas. Flavored vodka usually has less alcohol and more impurities. Raspberry vodka plus raspberry juice is too sugary and overwhelming. This is unnecessary; there is enough flavor in the juice.
If drinking cheap vodka doesn't bother you, by all means, continue buying it. It is really a matter of how adept your palate is. To me, vodkas like Smirnoff, Sobieski, Popov, Kirkland, and Svedka (the least noticeable of them all) are noticeably different in taste when compared to Skyy, Stolichnaya, Grey Goose, Chopin, Ketel One, and Belvedere. If it burns and smells like death out of the bottle, then it won't be tasty in mixed drinks.
Distilling and filtering do help, but it really comes down to the source. I know there are going to be some people that claim the source doesn't matter and that the best vodka they ever had was fermented from bugs or something like that, but I personally do not drink potato vodka. It's most likely going to be low quality so when possible, opt for the wheat alternative. The best Russian vodkas are made from wheat. Do you really think that economy-friendly distillers are using prime quality potatoes to make their cheap vodka?
Another obvious example of differences in source quality is tequila. There is a huge difference in flavor and preventative brain damage if you drink 100% blue agave tequila as opposed to that crappy Sauza or Jose Cuervo Rum/Tequila hybrid that you bought for 16 bucks. I'm not knocking these distillers though, since they do make higher quality lines in addition to their low quality options. But these economy-friendly companies are smart; they are simply marketing their cheap liquor stupid Americans who don't know the first thing about quality liquor.
As a general rule, the more expensive a product is, the better quality you shall receive...and this isn't exclusive of liquor so don't skimp! The author of this article just knows that during the present financial crisis, his column on saving money by buying cheap liquor will receive more hits. Bamm!! More money for him while you get peace of mind (if you're gullable) and cheaper low-grade liquor!!
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4-01-2009 @5:18PM Vodak said... Whoever wrote that doesn't drink vodka, and is talking out of their ass. It's fun to talk about things you know nothing about.
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4-07-2009 @11:01AM Ryan said... I've worked in Smirnoff (Diageo) factories and Smirnoff in indeed a great value vodka - triple-distilled and continuously charcoal filtered. Interesting to note though is that Popov and Smirnoff are actually made in the same plant, with the same vodka. The difference is that Popov is not charcoal-filtered... at least most of the time... Sometimes, the workers don't want to hassle with removing the filters and thus, if you're lucky, your bottle of Popov may, in fact, be Smirnoff!
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4-06-2009 @5:26PM ChefR0b said... @Ryan
Popov is bad and Smirnoff is not that much better. I rank a good vodka on terms of:
1) not tasting like death
2) not containing sugary-added flavors
3) not making you want to throw up if you drink a reasonable amount.
These two vodkas, whether they are from the same factory or not, are garbage. That is just the reality. You don't get sick from the higher-end vodkas and as an added bonus, you enjoy the flavor!
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4-07-2009 @5:54PM Steve said... The big differences in premium vodka and cheap vodka is the number of times it is distilled. Triple distillation removes the impurities. and some natural flavor.
I buy my Premium Vodka from:
http://www.boutiqueliquors.com
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