The Great Vodka debate

[Ollie]

I haven’t had the opportunity to try Tito’s, I might be in the wrong latitude for their distributors? I have, however, done some extensive research on most of the other brands mentioned, all nice choices. My current favorite hasn’t made anyone’s list yet, Blue Ice. Potato vodka from Idaho, keep it in the freezer and drink it on the rocks….come to think of it, I need to shut down my computer and get busy with some of that.

[Guest071613-2]

I forgot to mention one other favorite: Reyka. It's Icelandic...

"Amidst the clean air of the village of Borgarnes in western Iceland, sits the distillery where Reyka comes together. The entire operation is run by the abundant geothermal heat of the land, a factor that led to the naming of the spirit as Reyka (Ray-kuh) is an ancient Icelandic word for steam or smoke. Small batches of only 235 cases per distillation contain glacial water from the Grabok Spring, which runs through a 4,000 year old lava field. Researchers have tested the waters and found there to be zero impurities. The resulting vodka is a testament that if clean products go in, clean products come out."

It really is some amazing stuff...I highly recommend!

[Texas Contrarian]

I drink very little other than wine, so I'm not sure I can add a whole lot to this debate. But a good friend who's something of a vodka aficionado feels that Tito's is as good as you'll find -- at any price. (And I might add that he almost always indulges in the very best, no matter the price.)

It's been the only vodka in my bar for several years now. Almost all of my guests have liked it very much.

And it's a domestic product. Just as if you choose to spend your money (over a several-year period) on a sugar baby or a few hundred escort sessions rather than an expensive German car, your dollars stay right here in the good ol' USA. For that matter, right here in Texas!

Check out Tito's website -- it has the story and some photos:

http://titosvodka.com/titos.html

[slowmover]

Would it be hijacking this thread to talk about vodka martinis vs gin martinis? If you're a vodka fan, is there a specific type you like your martinis made with? And I'm talking about classic martinis, not the tootie frutie ice cream ones that are popping up all over.

[travelling_man]

Then I guess I'll have to go and try some Titos then. I have been a Grey Goose or Ketel One guy, but after so many recommendations to try Titos I'm going to get some when I get a chance.

[T-Can]

Is tinman a Tito's rep trying to push the product or is that timman? Haha, just kidding! It seems he knows his martinis.

[texasjohn1965]

I always drank bel or goose, until I had Tito's. It is great vodka.

[TinMan]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Would it be hijacking this thread to talk about vodka martinis vs gin martinis? If you're a vodka fan, is there a specific type you like your martinis made with? And I'm talking about classic martinis, not the tootie frutie ice cream ones that are popping up all over.

I prefer gin martinis to vodka (purists will say it ain't a martini if it's not gin). Unlike vodka, where quality is more a function of how crisp and clean (i.e., not medicinal) it is, gin is more a matter of taste.

I personally don't like heavy botanicals in my gin. Tanq #10 is my gin of choice for a martini, as it's not as heavy on the juniper, and has a slightly citrus finish. Very smooth...even non-gin drinkers like it. If you like the stronger, more traditional gin taste, Hendricks is good. Bombay Sapphire is a nice compromise, too. I keep a bottle of regular Tanqueray as my back-up, as it's similar enough to #10 as to fill in in a pinch.

As far as vodka martinis, I think many of the recommendations here are good. Tito's makes an excellent martini, as does GG, Bel, etc. Stay away from Smirnoffs, Sky or anything cheaper; those two are just fine for mixing, but they don't really make a good martini, IMHO.

Since martinis (I'm talking the non-flavored varieties vs. cosmos and the like) are basically straight vodka or gin (slightly diluted with proper shaking), you don't want to skimp on the quality of the liquor. Screwdrivers, vodka tonics, etc., you can afford to spend a bit less as the mixer will hide the imperfections.

[slowmover]

I have to try Tito's.

Tinman....I'm with you, a Martini is made with Gin.. Stirred, not shaken. Screw James Bond.

[TinMan]

Originally Posted by slowmover

I have to try Tito's.

Tinman....I'm with you, a Martini is made with Gin.. Stirred, not shaken. Screw James Bond.

Seasoned mixologists differ on the stirred vs. shaken debate. Stirred martinis are cleaner, since you don't get the air bubbles that make a shaken martini cloudy. A shaken martini, however, is better mixed, and most (but by no means all) drinkers prefer that...as do I.

But if the only difference of opinion we have on martinis is shaken vs. stirred, I consider that not much difference at all! More important to me is the definition of a "dry" martini. I prefer Churchill's: open the bottle of vermouth and stare at it from across the room.

[bigbobftworth]

Tito's is a very good vodka at a decent price. Grey Goose is smooth and has a great taste. But give me Kettle One, something about the taste, especially after three or four martini's. Shaken not stirred, two olives, just a slight hint of dry vermouth.

[xperiment]

Due to a college soccer party where I drank waaaaay too much, especially vodka, which left me passed out in the cool November night on a graveled parking lot;; I don't drink a lot of vodka. However when in my twenties, I drank Skyy, Ketel One, and GG.

I preferr scotch too. Single malt, clean, and older the better. Brands like Oban and McCallum, 18 or cask grade is heaven.

[DFWRaven]

I have a couple bottles of "Russian Standard" in the freezer.. I think it is better then GG or even Tito's.. I like Martini's shaken hard with lots of little ice shavings and show the vermouth to the shaker from across the room.. with a twist... Tito's is Good.. Blue goose it ok.. "Russian Standard" Rocks.. Hard to find.. In face I couldn't until last year.. was down to my last bottle from a moscow trip when I found it local.. Don't quote me on Russian Standard either.. That was the best I could make out from the Cyrilic

[Guest071613-2]

I guess no one has tried Reyka?

I've only been able to find it at my favorite watering hole, and the bartender has the bottle stashed and brings it out when I am there. He may just be blowing hot air up my skirt, trying to make me feel all special like it's my own personal vodka or something. He likes to go into the whole spiel about how it is filtered. I've never looked for it at the liquor store, I don't know if it's common or not...I'd never heard of it before...

I sure do like it, though! You ought to give it a whirl, TinMan! If you don't like it I can always take it off your hands for ya

I used to love vodka, but I've turned into more of a bourbon lady as of recently...I think I over did it back in the day.

[sdguy08]

I love vodka, but don't drink as much as I used to too. While I haven't tried Tito's, I like Belvedere, GG and Kettel One. I had a Russian friend in school that turned me on to Putinka(?).