See-throughs - long question

I have often considered setting up a blind taste test at the occasional
family get together, not only for vodka in this case, but also for
other products with "status" brands. For each group of products, I'd
figure on covering the cost spectrum as well as the reputation
spectrum. My in-laws are not heavy drinkers; but there are enough
social drinkers among them to come up with a sample size with possibly
meaningful results.

Serving size would be an issue if too many choices are offered. One
ounce x 6 is still 3 shots of straight vodka. Not so much for me; but
most of 'em don't have my blood volume or stomach lining. I don't want
a house full of puking inlaws at midnight. g

How much would be an adequate taste sample? And what would be a good
"neutralizer" to serve between tastes? Saltines? White bread?

Joe F.

rb608 wrote:
"No fillers" is how I've been enjoying it thus far. I don't know where
the cutoff is proportion-wise; but at some point, the inital flavor of
the vodka (gin, whatever) becomes unimportant and overshadowed by the
mixers. If I'm drinking it straight, I want and am willing to pay for
the good stuff (within reason); otherwise I can just buy a jug o'
Popov, 1.75L for $9.99.

Joe F.

I'd sorta been hoping somebody would mention Everclear. Maybe mixed
half-n-half with distilled water. I mean, that's pretty much what vodka
is, right?

Just kidd'n!

Karl S.

Karl S wrote in
t:

rb608 wrote:
"No fillers" is how I've been enjoying it thus far. I don't know where
the cutoff is proportion-wise; but at some point, the inital flavor of
the vodka (gin, whatever) becomes unimportant and overshadowed by the
mixers. If I'm drinking it straight, I want and am willing to pay for
the good stuff (within reason); otherwise I can just buy a jug o'
Popov, 1.75L for $9.99.

Joe F.

I'd sorta been hoping somebody would mention Everclear. Maybe mixed
half-n-half with distilled water. I mean, that's pretty much what vodka
is, right?

Just kidd'n!

Karl S.


In Baltimore, you used to be able to buy Purple Passion in cans-- 50/50
grain alcohol/grape juice.

--
Scott
Reverse name to reply

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:04:22 -0800, Karl S
wrote:

rb608 wrote:
"No fillers" is how I've been enjoying it thus far. I don't know where
the cutoff is proportion-wise; but at some point, the inital flavor of
the vodka (gin, whatever) becomes unimportant and overshadowed by the
mixers. If I'm drinking it straight, I want and am willing to pay for
the good stuff (within reason); otherwise I can just buy a jug o'
Popov, 1.75L for $9.99.

Joe F.

I'd sorta been hoping somebody would mention Everclear. Maybe mixed
half-n-half with distilled water. I mean, that's pretty much what vodka
is, right?

Just kidd'n!

Karl S.

There's a reason for that. The only thing I've found it good for is
making herbal tinctures. The stuff tastes horrible, even in mixed
drinks. You have to have a serious desire to get drunk to use
Everclear for anything but cleaning of external cuts and scrapes or
tinctures (which have to mellow for a long time).

Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
email: lid (strip the .invalid to email)

"Igotta go with wayno on this one. I prefer Stoli over any of the
others
I've tried, more or less expensive. A good vodka is one that requires
no
fillers; tonic, lime, olives, etc. and Stoli is the most refreshing one
to
me."

When I was in Latvia, I discovered that, among its countrymen,
Stolichnoya was considered absolute bottom shelf vodka. It sold for
pennies in the supermarket...literally; a 1-liter bottle, fresh from
Russia, was about $1.50 US. The top shelf stuff sold for over $100 a
bottle.

Although from my college days it had taken on an aura of being an
ultradeluxe brand, I now view it in the same way as I see some European
spending lavishly for an american import beer like Miller Lite.

--riverman

On a similar note, I am generally amused to see Red Stripe beer sold
here as a premium brand. When I was in Jamaica, it was just the local
cheap stuff.

Joe F.

riverman typed:
Tim J. typed:
I gotta go with wayno on this one. I prefer Stoli over any of the
others I've tried, more or less expensive. A good vodka is one
at requires no fillers; tonic, lime, olives, etc. and Stoli is the
most refreshing one to me.

When I was in Latvia, I discovered that, among its countrymen,
Stolichnoya was considered absolute bottom shelf vodka. It sold for
pennies in the supermarket...literally; a 1-liter bottle, fresh from
Russia, was about $1.50 US. The top shelf stuff sold for over $100 a
bottle.

I didn't say *I* had good taste, only that Stoli tastes good to me. ;-)
--
TL,
Tim
(I mean, really, look at the people with whom I associate.)
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

On 12 Dec 2005 08:49:18 -0800, "riverman" wrote:

When I was in Latvia, I discovered that, among its countrymen,
Stolichnoya was considered absolute bottom shelf vodka. It sold for
pennies in the supermarket...literally; a 1-liter bottle, fresh from
Russia, was about $1.50 US. The top shelf stuff sold for over $100 a
bottle.

The Russian guides in Kamchatka said Stoli was over-rated and wasn't
that good. They recommended Putinka (named after Putin). It was $17
US per .75 liter. Not bad.

Dave

Dave LaCourse wrote in
news
The Russian guides in Kamchatka said Stoli was over-rated and wasn't
that good. They recommended Putinka (named after Putin). It was $17
US per .75 liter. Not bad.

For you Dave and others in the Boston area. There is a wonderful
restaurant called Cafe St. Petersburg in Brookline
(http://www.planet99.com/boston/restaurants/14634.html). Has about 100
vodkas from memory, including some homemade ones and an special
horseradish vodka. Top notch Rooshun grub too.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 11:09:12 -0500, "Wayne Harrison" wrote:

your friend may be russian, but either he doesn't know good stuff when
he tastes it, or i have the taste of a russian peasant... (ok, ok, i
know--insert wiseass rejoinder here________________)

The people I met during the few weeks I was in Russia preferred Polish vodka,
FWIW.
--
Charlie...
http://www.chocphoto.com