Vodka is prolific these days, and for someone that enjoys experiencing alcohol then that makes it a fine time to try new stuff. But if you're in a liquor store staring at the wall of 50+ brands of tasteless, odorless, and colorless alcohol you might step back and come to your senses. These brands can't taste that much different from each other - and you're probably right to think that.
But even with that proliferation of brands, I tend to gravitate towards three vodkas. These aren't "the best" on the market, but they're all versatile and comfortable choices if you're looking to dip a toe into the large pool of unfamiliar brand names.
The first and most frequently purchased vodka in my freezer is the Zubrowka, in the middle of the picture. This vodka is notable for being infused with a shoot of bison grass. The American version isn't technically a fresh blade of grass because import laws forbid it... something about a ban on "coumarin" as a food additive. But it tastes pretty close to the European version and is definitely a head turner for the fact that it's not colorless or odorless.
The second most popular is the Luksusowa on the right. It's fine draw is that it's tasteless and cheap. A bonus is the fact that it's made from potatoes, so it will be slightly smoother compared to a wheat or rye vodka. Smooth enough to sip, but cheap enough to mix. That makes a nice combination.
The third is a recent exposure, and that's the Reyka vodka from Iceland. It's slightly more expensive than the Luksusowa, but it's phenomenal in its crispness. One good test of how good a vodka can be is to drink it straight at room temperature. For Reyka, it was as tasteless at room temp as the Luksusowa is frozen.
I'm sure that there are better vodkas in production and on their way. News from Scotland earlier this week is that a Glasgow company is releasing a "single malt vodka" next year. They're calling it "Valt" and I'm sure it'll make a marketing splash. Whether the ripples become waves is hard to predict, so stay tuned for more on that next year.
But even with that proliferation of brands, I tend to gravitate towards three vodkas. These aren't "the best" on the market, but they're all versatile and comfortable choices if you're looking to dip a toe into the large pool of unfamiliar brand names.
The first and most frequently purchased vodka in my freezer is the Zubrowka, in the middle of the picture. This vodka is notable for being infused with a shoot of bison grass. The American version isn't technically a fresh blade of grass because import laws forbid it... something about a ban on "coumarin" as a food additive. But it tastes pretty close to the European version and is definitely a head turner for the fact that it's not colorless or odorless.
The second most popular is the Luksusowa on the right. It's fine draw is that it's tasteless and cheap. A bonus is the fact that it's made from potatoes, so it will be slightly smoother compared to a wheat or rye vodka. Smooth enough to sip, but cheap enough to mix. That makes a nice combination.
The third is a recent exposure, and that's the Reyka vodka from Iceland. It's slightly more expensive than the Luksusowa, but it's phenomenal in its crispness. One good test of how good a vodka can be is to drink it straight at room temperature. For Reyka, it was as tasteless at room temp as the Luksusowa is frozen.
I'm sure that there are better vodkas in production and on their way. News from Scotland earlier this week is that a Glasgow company is releasing a "single malt vodka" next year. They're calling it "Valt" and I'm sure it'll make a marketing splash. Whether the ripples become waves is hard to predict, so stay tuned for more on that next year.