All about Vodka Brands

Like devices in life, we want to know which is the ‘best’ vodka. Which vodka is most more advanced than others. And like devices in life, we realize that there is no one single answer. For example, I take advantage of the latest Intel Pentium Core Duo Processor, as i require it to power my media center, on the other hand, my Grandaddy still uses a 11 year old IBM Thinkpad with 4 MB RAM running Windows 3. 11 with Wordpad!

Anyway, back to Vodka. Vodka is understood to be a natural spirit without any distinct characteristics such as aroma, taste or colour. Considering the above definition all vodkas should be the same and the brand shouldn’t matter tropical flavoured vodka. This is true to some extent, in the sense, that the final product of all the brands are more or less similar to one another and while mixed in a blood betty, there is no discernable distinction between them. However, if you want to you can keep them as shots, on the rocks or in a martini, then you are well advised to consume reasonably limited brand.

There are a lot of vodkas out there. And each one is trying to catch your eye, with refreshing marketing, stylish containers and happening events. This is because of the above noted fact, that the product is more or less same, so because of this, marketing plays a big role.

Okay. Now since we are clear as to what vodka happens to be, lets look at some of the brands. (If you are interested more about the history and other ins and outs of Vodka, read my article ‘All About Vodka’) I am not affiliated with any of them and I have no particular favourite among them either. So be reassured that whatever is said thus is utterly fair and in the best interest of vodka.

Lets start with the world biggest selling vodka. Remember, the phrase is ‘best selling’, it doesn’t make the best vodka on the planet. I guess every vodka drinker knows it. Smirnoff. Smirnoff was the first American model of Vodka, which was bought over from Vladimir Smirnov of Paris. The Smirnoff No. 21 years of age is the most widely sold vodka in the world and is an extremely good example of time-honored vodka. It has little scary character, and does not relax you with slight flavours or a cool continue. If you don’t like to think too much and are on a budget, this is the vodka to go for. Contain it cooled and feel the European in you. Smirnoff also comes in blue and black labels which are of increasing strength. It has also launched numerous flavoured vodkas such as Green Apple Twist, Citrus fruit Twist, Orange Twist and much more. They are great to have in martinis and light cocktails.

Next up, Dull Groose. Now this is on that has had its fair share of The movies exposure. You can hear virtually every celebrity asking for a Dull Goose Martini. This vodka brand is really a marketing brilliance. Winter wheat being distilled with natural spring waters in a French Distillery is surely going to make some heads turn. It is this method to vodka, that has made Dull Goose a brand to reckon with. But, nothing to be removed, this is really great vodka to have in your martini. It comes in three flavours: L’Orange, Le Citron and La Vanille. The Citron is great to have in a Orange Drop Martini.

The third among the most marketed brands is Absolut. This Swedish vodka has the one of the largest number of flavoured vodkas in the market. Its global online strategy has paid back in recent years and is considered to be a very superior vodka in many places in the world. Its natural variety comes in blue and red labels with increasing strengths. The red bottle (50 % vol) is a really smooth spirit with very little discernarable taste of its. The blue bottle mixes very well with almost all mixers and makes it great in most cocktails. The flavoured varieties too are very good and for the adventurous there are no scarcity of varieties to try from.

Now, lets move onto the lesser marketed, premium brands. I’ll start with what most vodka drinkers and experts think about a truly great and ‘almost perfect’ vodka. Stolichnaya is what it claims to be “a true European vodka”. It was founded at the Cristill Distillery in Moscow and is now manufactured in ex-Soviet republics (Kazakhstan and Ukraine). It is quadruple distilled though quartz sand and finally passed via a weaved cloth, to give you a vodka free from any flavours or odors. This one is great to have on the rocks.

Next on the list is Belvedere. This is a Gloss vodka. However, unlike other Gloss vodka this one is made from rye rather than potatoes. Experts are always confused about this one. Many hold it in high regard, while others claim that the other brands mentioned here, are far superior. For the record, I like it. Still you could claim that with several brands with better marketing and “brand appeal”, this vodka still leaves you with something to desire more from.

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