I was just looking at another site that had a story on vodkas, and I don't think a single one of their suggestions was a brand whose bottle wasn't frosted or screen printed to look like it had an impressionist work of art on the label. Translation - we're talking in the $20-$28 dollar range already for those vodka "values" in the 750ml bottle. In these trying times when we often need a mind eraser at the end of the day, who the hell can afford to pay that in this economy?
Having been fiscally challenged due to underemployment for some years now and vodka being my spirit of choice*, I've done quite a bit of research on brands I know to be the best tasting values. All of these vodkas below can be in the $10-$14 range for the 750 ml bottle. It really just depends on the store. As is always the general rule, you pay less for liquor in neighborhoods where the possibility of drive-by shooting is more likely, but values are to be had everywhere if you also pay attention.
I'm not going to describe these spirits as having "hints of" anything because I want a "hint of" something, I'll drink wine. My criteria is the spirit be made of grain (preferably wheat) and be distilled a MINIMUM of four times. These examples all meet that standard.
FROM SWEDEN:
 |
| SVEDKA |
 |
| ROKK |
These are both at the higher end of my price point scale, but very great quality. I will buy these brands if I typically can't get my other cheaper (YES) and even higher quality choices. I've noticed they sometimes will gouge you on the 750ml (as high as $14) and the larger size is always the better value at around $22.
FROM RUSSIA: (with more love than Stoli)
I'm not a fan of the potato vodkas, so here are my grain examples.
 |
| RUSKOVA |
 |
| KUTSKOVA |
Ruskova has gone the extra (2) mile(s) to distill their product SIX times. Kind of overkill, but a great product nonetheless. My non-wheat selection, but still a grain with rye. It's usually priced about the same or less than the Swedish vodkas.
Kutskova I discovered a couple of years back and it became so popular that they couldn't import it fast enough and it disappeared from stores in our neighborhood for a few months at least. Of all of the vodkas I'm recommending, Kutskova is the thickest on this list - so if you like to keep your vodka in the freezer and drink it in shots - THIS is your brand. It's priced comparable to the Swedish brands.
 |
| SOBIESKI |
My one recommendation from Poland is Sobieski. It can be priced slightly less than the Swedish or Russian brands. It's very good as a mixer. Much better than the overpriced Smirnoff which is what I would equate it to.
FROM THE U.S.OF A!
 |
| UV |
I save the best for last - UV.
This is the most affordable, highest quality vodka on the market in my opinion and you won't believe it when you see the price. I buy it consistently and was stunned by this superior product the first time I tried it on a whim. The 750ml bottle can probably be found for around $10-$11 and the larger bottle, from $16-$18. Best of all - UV is made in America from prairie grain in Minnesota**. I haven't tried their flavored varieties as they are brightly colored and it kind of creeps me out because they look like cough syrup, but the regular is superlative.
So, there you have the magic list of affordable vodkas that don't taste like lighter fluid or provide a truly wicked morning after. Really.
(*To help keep me from letting others have the unique opportunity to taste their own blood. **Can somebody please send Michele Bachmann a case already?)
0 comments so far :
Post a Comment