Discussions on Spirits (alcoholic beverages for the mature connoisseur)

(edit to add a couple pictures)
Let's begin with Vodka. Vodka is essentially a neutral liquor, and for most applications is used to provide just straight up alcohol. Sometimes it's flavored, and has some natural flavors left over.

The most visible top-shelf brand is Grey Goose. This is quite popular in fact. I've been in restaurants and seen someone loudly complain that the bar used cheap Vodka over their requested Grey Goose.

So this must be the best, Right?

Interestingly, the answer is not only no, it's Hell NO.

Most blind taste reviews have Grey Goose come out close to the bottom, usually after cheaper plastic bottle grade choices. Here's one taste review link, and I've seen quite a few now with similar conclusions.

http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Quote:

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Finally, the moment of truth. Klemm revealed that vodka No. 1 -- the group's least favorite -- was Grey Goose. Everyone was flabbergasted.

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What's good Vodka? There's lots according to most reviews. The "best" commercial Vodka is often voted to be Chopin.
https://www.crownwineandspirits.com/...invodka750.jpg


Me personally, I don't drink Vodka much. Mostly I use it on rare occasions in things like Cosmo's and Screwdrivers. Which I have 4 times a year. For fun, I quite like http://eatjax.com/?p=1363. For good base Vodka, Wisconsin's own homegrown is reportedly one of the best. http://www.greatlakesdistillery.com/ http://www.greatlakesdistillery.com/assets/vodkabot.jpg

So what do you think? Do you like Grey Goose?

Also, who likes Rum? Let's talk rums.

So, I havent had a mixed drink in about 10 years or more... So i cant help, I guess I am just stuck on wine but we can save that for another thread.

I've had maybe 3 'alcoholic beverages' (Beer, wine, or otherwise) since 1995 or so... and that includes my wedding.

I've never been much one for Vodka. Start a discussion on Bourbon or Scotch and I'll pitch in my .02

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Originally Posted by [AK]Brorlis

I've never been much one for Vodka. Start a discussion on Bourbon or Scotch and I'll pitch in my .02

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Same here. I don't mind some vodka drinks like a good bloody mary or screwdriver, but I find that in those types of drinks, the vodka quality really doesn't matter all that much.

Although a bloody mary made with pepper vodka is pretty awesome.

Iris likes Grey Goose; I'm indifferent as I use it as a base and mask the taste of it anyway. Most commonly, and most recently it's been in my White Russians and Mudslides.. In the cupboard right now is Kettle One (on sale). Same with my Long Island Iced Tea... the type of vodka is irrelevant to me.

Also, my neighbor had a discussion with the guy in BevMo... the stuff in the locked cases is not the best - it's the most stolen. It has nothing to do with cost so don't pick a brand based on store location.

This just popped up on my Google Reader.

The wife and I prefer Ketel One, though I haven't tried Chopin. I'll have to pick up a bottle.

I dunno ive never been a big drinker... and I find myself converting back to my highschool days going for quanity per dollar instead of quality everytime I hit the liquor store.

But I was introduced to Patron Silver (tequila) a year or so back and to my surprise it was nice, smooth, and a quick buzz, so I dunno maybe there is something to getting the "good" stuff.

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Originally Posted by [AK]Bojan

But I was introduced to Patron Silver (tequila) a year or so back and to my surprise it was nice, smooth, and a quick buzz, so I dunno maybe there is something to getting the "good" stuff.

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Now Patron is a conversation all in itself !

I'm not a vodka drinker. We always have a bottle around for mixing.

However...

Rum - Depends on the application. Bacardi is the benchmark mixer. Meyers is strongly flavored, and can be off-putting to those expecting straight rum. But it's hard to argue with Meyers and OJ on a beach. Spiced rum can be fun. We used some Captain Morgan's Private Stock in our egg nog this Christmas.

Whisk(e)y - This is what I drink. All of it. Bourbon, Rye, Scotch. Canadian, Irish. Yes please. Mixed, straight, on the rocks.

Now the topic of Rum is one I enjoy the most. I've found that a good rum and coke is quite the tasty treat, and I could have 2 or 3 of those a week (or more depending). I use diet coke, just for the calorie savings. Actually, I've found Diet Vanilla Pepsi to be my top soda choice for the combo, followed by Coke Zero.

As to Rums, I've had a few over the years, but not nearly as many as I would like. If you like rum, and find yourself in Las Vegas, be sure to hit the Rum Jungle, which has hundreds of different rums. Kidd and Swae took me and Beaker there one night, and it's a great restaurant all around.

My personal favorite rums are Appleton Estate http://www.appletonrum.com/images/ap...uct_08_but.gif
and Zaya
http://jiggerofblog.files.wordpress....jpg?w=88&h=300

But this isn't to besmirch the cheaper rums. Good old Capt. Morgan won't let you down. And since rum is more of a lowbrow item, usually used in mixed drinks, I've had good luck with even cheap rums. Cruzan is a fun one and comes flavored a lot of times. Rum is so inexpensive, there's no reason to go much cheaper then that.

I'm not so familiar with Meyer's, but after Squidly's post, may have to check them out. Does anyone else have a favorite?

I generally prefer beer to the firewater, but here's a few of my favorites:

Boodles gin martini, slightly dirty, please. Please abide by the universal martini rule that Vodka is for women and commies.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood...boodles200.jpg

It's not often that I drink tequila, so when I do I prefer to choose a non-diarrhea inducing variety. Patron Anejo fits the bill. I usually mix it with one of those freezy-drink mix buckets they sell at Walmart. This probably violates a universal law somewhere, as it's nearly smooth enough to be served on the rocks.

http://www.tequila.net/images/storie...1169923205.jpg

Regarding rum, I picked up some Ron Zacapa 23 'Centenario' for Christmas. It is excellent. Dark, smooth and not distractingly sweet, it's perfect on the rocks. Highly recommended, and a new personal favorite.
http://www.bourbonstreetwineandspiri...160/108565.jpg

Gin is my preferred spirit. Bombay or Tanqueray.

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Originally Posted by [AK]Clay

I use diet coke, just for the calorie savings. Actually, I've found Diet Vanilla Pepsi to be my top soda choice for the combo, followed by Coke Zero.

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I prefer Diet coke to any when I have to mix my bourbon ... I don't care much for the calorie savings but I just don't like my drinks as sweet ...

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Originally Posted by [AK]Brorlis

I prefer Diet coke to any when I have to mix my bourbon ... I don't care much for the calorie savings but I just don't like my drinks as sweet ...

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Same.

I use VO Gold when I'm mixing. Crown Royal is also a staple.
I have a treasured bottle of Midleton Very Rare (Irish) for sipping. (Reviews)
Bourbon I like Makers Mark or Woodford Reserve.
Scotch I'll typically go with Cardhu (single malt) or Dimple Pinch (Blended.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [AK]Squidly

I use VO Gold when I'm mixing. Crown Royal is also a staple.

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Have you tried Forty Creek ?

It has replaced Crown in my cabinet for now.

I really do love vodka because it's such a great mixer, Cape Cod's are one of my top prefered beverages. I like grey goose... but because vodka is used as a mixer and it's mostley the other things you are tasting I usually go for a more frugal purchase.