Vodka tasting and differences...
Discussion
We were just on a cruise on the QM2. They offered a vodka tasting session on board in order to try different Vodkas. I always thought that basically all vodkas were the same.
We tried 5 small measures of all. They were served in whiskey balloons to allow you to smell the vodka. Interestingly they were served at room temperature as the guy doing the tasting said that freezing vodka hides its taste ? He brought them out of the freezer 12 hours before the tasting was due to commence.
Kaufmann 2005 - Russian Grain Vodka (9 x distilled)
http://www.kaufmanvodka.com/
According to the guy doing the tasting they only harvest grain from one field then make the vodka from that - hence the "vintage". Its then 8 x distilled then 'aged' in oak barrels before 1 final distillation over industrial diamonds - It tasted very 'minerally' and sweet (due to them adding honey - seems a bit bizarre to me but hey ho)
Next up was Snow Leopard - Polish Grain Vodka. (4 x distilled)
http://www.snowleopardvodka.co.uk/
Probably my favorite out of all. Tasted of Vanilla with a slight chocolaty flavour (I know it sounds poncy but you could actually taste these flavours !). If I was to buy one bottle from the tasting it would have been this one. They also donate a portion of profits to save the snow leopard so you can feel warm inside in more than one way
After that we had the Jean Marx XO (Extra Old) 9 x distilled
http://www.jmxo.com
French Vodka that was served at the Obama inauguration apparently. Another grain Vodka that was again, slightly sweet but you could smell subtle flowers in it. This out of all of the vodkas was a surprise as I never thought vodka could have an aroma other than the normal vodka smell. Apparently its bloody expensive...
Then moved onto a Potato Based Vodka
Luksusowa. (4 x distilled).
http://www.luksusowa.net/whyluks.htm
This one shouted VODKA ! Was what I expected from a vodka - you know - warms the hell out of you. At first the smell was really over powering and to be honest really off putting. I nearly didn't bother with this one so left it on the side whilst the guy did his talk about it. After 5 minutes it had completely transformed/mellowed into something really nice and smooth. This again amazed me that Vodka can change in taste whilst being left to stand ?
Lastly was Zubrowka - Bison. Another Grain Vodka
www.zubrowka.com
Truly bizarre. Contained Bison Grass. Not sure about this one, was very very different..But not nasty. Flowery and smoother than the Luksusowa. Was the Wife's favourite.
One thing I took away is that Vodka is subtly different and most of the distilled over the wings of angels speel and adding grass into Vodka is just a load of marketing crap to set them apart. BUT, having said that they are subtly different and I preferred one Vodka over another when it was at room temperature and you could actually taste the different flavours in the vodka (if that makes sense).
Also there's a real difference between potato based and grain based Vodkas. Grain Vodkas are more subtle, whereas the Potato Based ones are the ones that shout at you !
Not something I ever thought I'd do - a Vodka tasting but I'm glad I did as I never knew there were so many differences between them.
Ps - The guy doing the tasting thinks Grey Goose is a massive triumph of marketing over substance !
We tried 5 small measures of all. They were served in whiskey balloons to allow you to smell the vodka. Interestingly they were served at room temperature as the guy doing the tasting said that freezing vodka hides its taste ? He brought them out of the freezer 12 hours before the tasting was due to commence.
Kaufmann 2005 - Russian Grain Vodka (9 x distilled)
http://www.kaufmanvodka.com/
According to the guy doing the tasting they only harvest grain from one field then make the vodka from that - hence the "vintage". Its then 8 x distilled then 'aged' in oak barrels before 1 final distillation over industrial diamonds - It tasted very 'minerally' and sweet (due to them adding honey - seems a bit bizarre to me but hey ho)
Next up was Snow Leopard - Polish Grain Vodka. (4 x distilled)
http://www.snowleopardvodka.co.uk/
Probably my favorite out of all. Tasted of Vanilla with a slight chocolaty flavour (I know it sounds poncy but you could actually taste these flavours !). If I was to buy one bottle from the tasting it would have been this one. They also donate a portion of profits to save the snow leopard so you can feel warm inside in more than one way
After that we had the Jean Marx XO (Extra Old) 9 x distilled
http://www.jmxo.com
French Vodka that was served at the Obama inauguration apparently. Another grain Vodka that was again, slightly sweet but you could smell subtle flowers in it. This out of all of the vodkas was a surprise as I never thought vodka could have an aroma other than the normal vodka smell. Apparently its bloody expensive...
Then moved onto a Potato Based Vodka
Luksusowa. (4 x distilled).
http://www.luksusowa.net/whyluks.htm
This one shouted VODKA ! Was what I expected from a vodka - you know - warms the hell out of you. At first the smell was really over powering and to be honest really off putting. I nearly didn't bother with this one so left it on the side whilst the guy did his talk about it. After 5 minutes it had completely transformed/mellowed into something really nice and smooth. This again amazed me that Vodka can change in taste whilst being left to stand ?
Lastly was Zubrowka - Bison. Another Grain Vodka
www.zubrowka.com
Truly bizarre. Contained Bison Grass. Not sure about this one, was very very different..But not nasty. Flowery and smoother than the Luksusowa. Was the Wife's favourite.
One thing I took away is that Vodka is subtly different and most of the distilled over the wings of angels speel and adding grass into Vodka is just a load of marketing crap to set them apart. BUT, having said that they are subtly different and I preferred one Vodka over another when it was at room temperature and you could actually taste the different flavours in the vodka (if that makes sense).
Also there's a real difference between potato based and grain based Vodkas. Grain Vodkas are more subtle, whereas the Potato Based ones are the ones that shout at you !
Not something I ever thought I'd do - a Vodka tasting but I'm glad I did as I never knew there were so many differences between them.
Ps - The guy doing the tasting thinks Grey Goose is a massive triumph of marketing over substance !
Edited by juice on Wednesday 15th September 20:32
"final distillation over industrial diamonds"
What is that all about? I completely agree about Grey Goose but this other vodka seems to playing the same game. Bringing diamonds into the distillation process surely can't have any effect on the vodka other than making it sound like it should be expensive.
Or am I wrong?
What is that all about? I completely agree about Grey Goose but this other vodka seems to playing the same game. Bringing diamonds into the distillation process surely can't have any effect on the vodka other than making it sound like it should be expensive.
Or am I wrong?
Pothole said:
rich85uk said:
Pothole said:
Zubrowska's yummy. Totally agree with the apple juice tip. Great long drink, a little too easy to slug gallons, though!
add a cannamon stick to the drink 
rich85uk said:
Pothole said:
rich85uk said:
Pothole said:
Zubrowska's yummy. Totally agree with the apple juice tip. Great long drink, a little too easy to slug gallons, though!
add a cannamon stick to the drink 
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