Is Sobieski the Best Vodka?

Sobieski Vodka

I ask this question because there are a few Vodka people out there who do indeed think Sobieski is among the very best Vodkas of the world. In fact, the tag on the bottle indicates that Sobieski scores higher than Svedka and Stoli by one organization which reviews wine spirits. I will begin by saying that Sobieski is unlike any other vodka that I've ever tried.

I poured my first shot straight into the martini glass. A very strong, burning aroma of alcohol immediately filled my nostrils. If this was any indication of Sobieski Vodka's smoothness of taste, this was not a good sign. The Sobieski Vodka touched my tongue with a bit of a sweet harshness and distinction. Sobieski has a very complex flavor with floral like overtones and a bit of a citrus finish that continues to tempt the front of your mouth long after you've swallowed it. Sobieski has the longest lasting finish of any vodka I've ever tried. Unfortunately, the fullness of flavor never quite smooths out. The burn and taste of bitterness continues to hang out in the back of your mouth, throat and esophagus long after the pleasant taste has rounded out. It is not overly unpleasant. Sobieski is certainly a tasty vodka, but not a very smooth one. I am puzzled as to why some reviewers have said Sobieski is so smooth. With it's very distinct flavor, I believe Sobieski would be one of the most noticeable vodkas in any mixed drink and that's not necessarily a bad thing if you enjoy its complex overtones. Read the rest of this entry

Vikingfjord Vodka Review

With my recent purchase of Vikingfjord Vodka, my local liquor store trip through the Scandinavian countries is nearly complete. There’s one from Iceland called, Reyka Vodka that is said to be pretty darn good.  Before I bought the Vikingfjord I wasn’t really intending to get another Vodka from this region of the world, but the $12.99 price tag for 1.75L bottle caught my eye. I’m always looking for cheap bargains and the Vikingfjord had a $3.00 rebate ribbon wrapped around its cheap $12.99 price tag so I couldn’t resist. Unlike the others; Svedka, Fris and Finlandia, Vikingfjord Vodka is made from Potato instead of grain. I’m really beginning to wonder if the ingredients make that much of a difference. In the final analysis of vodka, it’s the smoothness and purity that most of us seem to be looking for. So, how smooth, clean and refreshing is Vikingfjord? Read the rest of this entry

Is Bombay Sapphire Worth the High Price Tag?

Bombay Sapphire Gin

Bombay Sapphire Gin, without doubt, comes in the classiest, coolest, most attractive and distinguished looking bottle any alcohol has ever known. The cool, blue bottle, along with its magical, Sapphire name brand is enough to make anyone buy the product at least once, regardless of the pricey cost. Do the contents live up to it's packaging or are people brainwashed by the cool, blue bottle and Sapphire name? If Bombay Sapphire Gin is worth the price that is paid for it, then you would expect it to taste 3 to 4 times better than house gins like Burnett's, Gilby's or Taaka Gin. Does it? Read the rest of this entry

finlandia vodka review

In my never-ending quest to find the best vodkas of the world, I've gone from Sweden (Svedka) to Denmark (Fris), and now the latest: Finlandia from Finland. Finlandia vodka is the most unique, surprising Vodka  to me of this trio tasting test from the Netherlands.  Finlandia Vodka has a very bright, dry taste that I might even describe as sparkling and somewhat carbonated.  The Finlandia probably packs the biggest bite of the bunch, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The bite and harshness of Finlandia is felt at the top of the mouth and tongue, unlike a cheap vodka that burns at the back of the throat and reminds you as it goes down. When I poured my first shot of warm Finlandia into a glass and took  a sip, its quick bite on the tongue and mouth prepared me for a less than smooth finish, but I was wrong. The bite the Finlandia leaves on the roof of the mouth and tongue does not translate to a less than smooth or unpleasant finish. In fact, it leaves a pleasantly clean sparkling taste in your mouth as it goes down your throat quite smoothly, leaving no burning or unpleasant after effects at all. I really enjoyed my first martini made with Finlandia, and after learning what to expect from it, my 2nd one was even better. Read the rest of this entry