The World's Best Vodka vs. My Top 10 Under $40
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2020
- Lol, let me first apologize for my spoiled dog that can be heard a few times in the background. He could hear me through the door and was just letting me know that I was running late with the treats.
Okay, now onto the task at hand. So, I wanted to find out how much separation there was between what is regarded as “The World’s Best Vodka” - the $200 Kauffman Private Collection Luxury Vodka and some of my favorite low end and mid-range priced vodkas. To do this, I selected 5 of my favorite “Under $20” and 5 more “Under $40” vodkas to be tasted side-by-side with a bottle of the rare Kauffman Private Collection. What makes the Kauffman PC so good (and the reason it’s so hard to find) is that it’s only created in years when the crops/grains are of exceptional quality. Unfortunately, this apparently hasn’t happened much since 2009, so finding a bottle can be a real challenge. The contenders for this were split into two sides. In the “Under $20” we have the $17 Reyka from Iceland, $11 Exclusiv 1 from Moldova, $11 Sobieski from Poland, $17 Stolichnaya from Russia, $17 Tito’s from Indiana/Austin, and the $11 Monopolowa from Austria was an alternate. In the “Under $40” we have $27 Grey Goose from France, $30 Beluga “Transatlantic Racing Edition” from Russia, $40 Belvedere “Intense Unfiltered 80” Diamond Rye from Poland, $40 Chase from England, $35 Imperia from Russia, and the $30 Moscow Gold “Black Edition” from Russia was my alternate there.
In the end I hope we all have a better understanding of what the different price levels of vodka have to offer and how some educated purchases can help bridge the price gaps. I'd also like to note that while there's some amazing values in the less expensive vodka brands, you're also more likely to run into batch variance (quality) issues in the "Under $20" category than in the mid-range "Under $40." So, keep that in mind when making your purchases. As mentioned in the video, here’s the link to my “LiquorHound's Best Spirits of 2019” • LiquorHound's Best Spi...
I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits that’s also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting and learning about spirits for the last 26 years and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into a collection of over 2,500 bottles. I appreciate you watching my TH-cam videos and sharing in my passion and if you want even more content, please join us at my Patreon channel www.patreon.com/liquorhound. There you can become a supporter and get access to special giveaways, some secret tips, my Patreon only video library, and you'll receive a new review every Thursday. As always, thank you and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Fun fact: all of the pricier vodkas are usually in very tall bottles. That way, the only place they fit on a shelf is on top
Make sense
I’m gonna use this lol, thanks though we didn’t know that
Ya don't say 🤔🤭
Funny that the most expensive one is the shortest
Damn you even ruin TH-cam videos man you work overtime
Stoli 12:45
Titos 14:25
Grey Goose 17:45
Beluga 19:30
Belvedere 21:00
Just adding the rest:
5:04 Kauffman Private Collection
8:33 Reyka
10:13 Exclusiv
11:36 Sobieski
16:20 Monopolowa
23:02 Chase
25:29 Imperia
26:41 White Gold Black
Thank you.
@@bookaltd Thank you for your efforts!
Wait beluga Is a cat
@@AlexFha_29 it's a type of whale.
Thanks for this video - I was so glad to see your assessment of the Belvedere. It's one of my favorites, and it was very validating to hear you describe how it tastes and feels. I can't explain it the way you can, but you were very spot on - thanks again.
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for sharing! Cheers!
Always a pleasure, LH. Definitely going to keep an eye out for that Belvedere.
Masterful connoisseur! Enjoyed the breakdowns of these fine vodkas!
Thanks for the awesome review. I always feel a little blind when I get to the vodka section. Now I feel like i know what they have to offer and what I will look for.
I have always preferred Stoli and never understood why I disliked Grey Goose so much but now that you've explained the differences in taste it makes perfect sense to me. Thanks.
can't stand taste of grey goose. try vesica vodka. half the price 10 times better
Well of course Grey Goose is overpriced trash, what would the French know about proper vodka?
Grey Goose taste like "you did alright"
Try the Kirkland Vodka from Costco, it's made by Grey Goose but it's cheaper and actually tastes better than Goose!
I can tell your a great taste tester and I can trust your review because you knew to clear your palate and use a new glass every time. Surprisingly not alot of alcohol reviewer's seem to understand the point of it. Also you diddnt pass out after taking 13 shots almost back to back lol.
great video, great collection and thank you sir for sharing your knowledge about vodka. it would be great if you make video on each brands in details because you are great in explaining
Polish vodka is best for me, Zubrowka. I also buy it for my Father, he likes it very much. It has a hint/spice of the bison grass. Always have a bottle at home. I feel very relaxed when i drink ca 1,5 deciliter. My Father drink ca 2 deciliter and feel good😃 Cheers Poland from Sweden. And Great channel👍
Thank you for the comment and cheers!
Thank for cheers:) But "Purity Vodka" (i like "34") is muuuuuuuuuch better than "Żubrówka - White" (i like "Bison Grass" too, but i prefer "pure" vodka's still).
If your father like Polish vodka's, buy "Chopin"! That's the world best vodka ever maded. Cheers Sweden, from Poland:)
In Poland we also drink Żubrówka with apple juice. Surprise your father with this alternative :) and don't forget to put it to freezer first! (for few hours) You will be astonished :)
Cheers mate :)
Belvedere owns polish vodka. Hands down the best Polish vodka.
@@pandrzejkowicz How do you like Lvov?
Love it man, always enjoying your wisdom!
Thank you and cheers!
fantastic video, not only an introduction to theese particular bottles, but to vodka in general.
Thanks and cheers!
Stoli is incredibly unique with it’s pepper notes, very reminiscent of rye. Russian standard is one of my favorites for its smoothness and creamy finish. Sobieski for the price is incredibly clean, with almost no alcohol burn. Surprisingly i find very little pepper notes in Sobieski despite them advertising that it is distilled from rye.
How do you like Lvov vodka?
Extremely well researched and presented
My first time watching your channel. Very well done review. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and for the comment! Cheers!
Awesome review. very informative and honest.
Stoli is my go to, but I found a 1.75l of Sobieski for $20.00 so that's how I ended up here. Thanks, you do good work.
I’m not a vodka drinker, but I need to buy some and wasn’t sure what to get. Thanks for steering me in the right direction.
Great review. I realley appreciate the time and effort you put into it and I am not going to tell you the vodka you missed :) there are more spirits coming out yearly than we can learn.
I subscribed by the way. Great job.
Thank you and cheers!
Wow, I learned more about vodka in about 30 minutes in two of your videos than I have ever known in my life. Great tools for figuring out vodkas to get for party mixers and sipping. I'm experiential , and love whiskey so I might try your recommendation for the intense Belvedere... In Michigan a distillery makes quite good small batch vodkas and whiskeys: Grand traverse distillery.
Great to hear! Guess I'll have to check out their spirits one day! Cheers!
Awesome review and now I wish I could try Kauffman. Guess I'll have to try the Beluga Gold, cheers!
Great video Im not much of a vodka guy maybe I haven't given enough of them a try...Any experience with the Tanqueray Vodka?
Thanks! I haven’t tried it, so I guess I’ll have to soon. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound ok thanks for the reply, have a great day
with lots of ice and fresh lemon juice...instant can drink. Sooo many different types...not how I like it though. TANQUERAY is king.
Hey Jeff crazy seeing you here, been a subscriber of yours for years you turned me onto the Chawly changer and it gets so much attention everytime i whip one of them out haha hope you're having a good day and have a great Thanksgiving.
The tanq Sterling is a nice vodka for the price imo. Great video btw!
You are truly the liquor hound, with no discrimination of clear or brown.
Lol, very nice! Cheers!
That REYKA vodka is incredible. Only Vodka I can drink neat from a glass, even better with just ice. No smell, so clean, no burn.
That's why I'm here, it's good, but not great.
Embrace the burn.
Spend some money...
Thank you... Nice presentation. My favorite drink...
The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to deformation at a given rate. For liquids, it corresponds to the informal concept of "thickness": for example, syrup has a higher viscosity than water.
-Had to google that :D
It's been years since I've watched this guys videos. Still amazed how much vodka he tests in one sitting. I learned about Sobieski from him and it's been a go to since
Keep an eye out for Goodnight Loving. It did surprisingly well in my last blind competition! Cheers!
I like seeing Sobieski on many of the best value vodka lists. I remember my introduction to it when my regular liquor store had it prominently displayed for $8. I bought it to give it a shot, and it has since been my go to vodka, though now in my market it has slowly climbed in price to $14.
I'm mostly a party-drinker when it comes to vodka and generally distinguish two types of that beverage - the one that makes you feel like you've swallowed a burning coal (ugh, Bols vodka anyone?) and the one that does not (Finlandia upwards). Although I gotta say some premium vodkas like Chopin can be appreciated by even a drink simpleton like me.
I do love watching your stuff however, it is maddeningly entertaining to listen to you describe all the nuances of vodka while keeping it simple enough so that even a non-native like me can understand it. Subbed and upvoted!
Much appreciated and cheers!
Great review. I too enjoy the Monopolowa as well as the Luksusowa, both potato based.
Excellent vid !! Overview of Beluga was pristibe. Verified my thoughts on this bottle. Exceptional!¡
Thank you and cheers!
I enjoyed watching this. I really got into vodka a few years ago. I initially got into Tito’s then started buying Ketel one and stolis. Although I buy Tito’s once in awhile for something different I buy stoli just about every time. Here In Pennsylvania it’s normally around $30 for 1.75ml. So it’s not expensive and it’s very smooth.
there are a number of inexpensive vodkas that drink as well as the supposed top shelf picks. (1)Friis vodka usually $10.00 to 15.00 per bottle (2)vesica vodka $22.00 per 1.75 liter. excellent and very smooth.(3) Blue Ice vodka in original blue bottles ( very very smooth ) (4) stoli gold not always available but one of the first triple distilled. still a great drink. (5) Wheatley vodka from buffalo trace. distilled 9 times $22.00 per bottle. (6) Platinum vodka distilled 7 times around $20.00 or so for a 1.75 liter bottle.
All of these vodkas drink extremely well without breaking a budget. i drink all of these with store bought ice . Let sit in glass for 30 seconds and enjoy each and every one of these. these are vodkas that this expert drinks regularly. i know my vodka.
Top Alcohol Review/Analysis I've ever watched. Bravo. Subscribed.
Good stuff bud. You make this easy to watch. A great evening drink enjoy.
Thank you and cheers!
Hi again! Since last time Ive tried a couple of vodkas: Koskenkorva and Renat! Koskenkorva is very good, such a fresh smell and a taste of bread, Renat is more green in character, but tastes more of ethanol. I always mix spirit with just water to keep the pure flavors. When it comes to vodka I also make drinks with coldbrewed green tea (no sugar of course). Cheers!
This is so pleasant and relaxing I could fall asleep to it (in a good way!)
Doesn't spit them out. Now THAT'S how you do an alcohol tasting. Last tasting glass: "Now dis vogga isth stho gooo anna iluuvi."
Excellent video😀
Cheers LH! Now I'm drink also an Kauffman (but just a Soft - in this moment). Best regards, Joe from Hungary
Outstanding video... I love vodka. Russian Standard is my current go to rn @ $18-19/5th. I really enjoyed your video. Thank you!
I didn’t know much about vodka but after watching this video I learned a lot , I’m more of a Hennessy , whisky man but I enjoy some good tequila here and there . I’m gonna buy a bottle of Belvedere next time I drink . I subbed to the channel , thanks man !!
Thanks for the review, always looking for affordable buys to fill my collection. Love your channel, keep it going. Btw I noticed for whiskey you haven't done a review on Highland Park 12 yr old, would love to see you review it. Possibly a comparison between the original older version and the newer Viking Honour.
Thank you for the suggestion, and I'll see what I can do. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound hey what do u think abou lovl from poland
Wow. Thorough and helpful.
Thank you and cheers!
Very helpful thank you.
I'm new to spirits (mainly drink beer and just get whatever vodka they have at the bar if I do get a mix). This was great, I like smooth, something nice with soda water and lemon so looking forward to watching some more of your videos to get a better idea.
Thank you for being here and cheers!
That's for your work, you are very professional and talented.
Thank you for being here and cheers!
Good video. My go-to sipping vodka has been Stoli for decades, and glad you had a mention of my favorite vodka for martinis - Monopolowa, which many, many bars and restaurants place in the well-level. A slightly dirty Monopolowa martini and oysters after work is a great way to turn a bad day around. I am surprised to not see my least favorite vodka on your sample table - Ketel One. I can't do the heavy charcoal filtered taste.
I am a whiskey drinker, but I find this extremely interesting
My wife and I did a blind about 6 months ago: Grey Goose, Kirkland American, Skyy and Titos. Just neat, no ice. Titos won big, Kirkland and Skyy were in the middle and Grey Goose was way behind. Too much flavor we didn't care for. We drink on the rocks with a twist or in very dry martini.
Luksusowa is an honorable mention, polish vodka.
how is vodka so cheap in the US compared to here in europe where most of these are made, not fair !
Andrew Bruce true :/
No tax on exports in Eastern Europe and no tax on imports in America. Virtually no liquor tax is most states and (don't quote me) likely none on the federal level. They take their freedom seriously, sometimes to a fault, but I wouldn't mind giving up free Healthcare and other social services for cheap booze even if only for a week. America is best enjoyed in bits.
Plastic bottles instead of glass and no tastebuds.
Supply and demand
Well, Sobieski in Poland costs now 8-9$ - 0.7l bottle. But how about Jameson whiskey? In Ireland where it's made is about 27eur - 0.7l. So how we have it here (PL) for 14-15eur?
Great video - thanks for the info 👍
Glad it was helpful! Cheers!
From all I've had so far Tito's is my favorite at the moment. I didn't notice any rubbing alcohol smell and it had a nice warm smooth feel. I was very disappointed in Grey Goose, lots of rubbing alcohol smell and pretty harsh burn too. It's been a long time since I've had SKYY vodka. I remember liking it a lot. Looking forward to trying that one again. Surprised it didn't make the line up.
I really agree about Grey goose it really suck!
Tito’s sort of tastes like pennies tho, try ketel one
Chilled it literally goes down like water
Tito’s makes me throw up everytime I drink it never puked off of greygoose or Belvedere which are basically the same to me
@@takeoverboyz3514 Tito's makes me do backflips 10 at a time.
Great video. I'd like to see you do the same concept with other spirits
That’s a good idea, but there probably will be more of a gap. Thanks for the comment and cheers!
I subscribed to your channel because I like How your reviews are new nonsense Straight to the point
Much appreciated! I’m glad you’re here and cheers!
Great video
Belvedere is my number one. More affordable fav is new Amsterdam i was surprised how much I like that one for such an affordable price. Def going to try a few of these.
Interesting picks, like your review, thank you. Interesting that you picked Monopolowa over Luksusowa, both potato distilled, but to my taste buds Luksusowa beats the other hands down especially, for mixed drinks. Surprised the Chopin didn’t make the cut to the other tier.
Thanks for the comment and for watching! Cheers!
Great insights as well
I'd have to grab some Tito's and try it while trying to taste what you're able to pick up... it's been my go to for a while, but I've never noticed those notes.
I'm not much of a taste tester either, which may very well be the main thing... but i agree with Monopolova being on the list and Grey Goose being off, both of which have me taking a second guess at Tito's.
Nice review
i have had most of them, and Beluga is the best one by a mile. for me its not even a discussion, it sets the standard for everything else. its personal for everyone but Beluga dances on your tongue like no other, i recommend this to everyone instead of the french stuff. great reviews, awesome to watch, cheers brother.
Yep! Thanks for the comment and cheers!
@@LiquorHound There is only one real high quality vodka on your list, Beluga!!! All the rest are bad fakes!
@@LiquorHound Russian Standard vodka takes second place after Beluga.
how do you decide what to drink on a given evening? I mean, i'd be so overwhelmed with that collection back there that I think i'd just stand there for hours and eventually realize it's midnight and go to sleep without having a nightcap!
I think my wife would divorce me on the spot if this was my stash. Lol
We currently have a mutual understanding about me wanting the occasional drink, but all in all she thinks anyone who drinks is an alcoholic. I really do think she would fall in the floor and I would have to sift through my stash and find the McCormick to dump on her in an attempt to wake her.
You spend your restless nights making a list of what you feel like drinking, then you pull out that list when you're not sure.
My favorite Sobieski and select vodka can be bought in South Africa, where I currently live
Discovered a Texas Vodka that is a very small batch product called Tower Vodka that is only distributed by total Wine about 22-25 dollars for 1.75 liter bottle very smooth. I Enjoy your videos.
That kauffman vodka looks very interesting and intriguing lol
I'm a big Monopolowa fan. A fantastic vodka for cocktails. For a sipper the Jean Marc XO is my number one pick. Expensive but worth every penny.
Yeah I’ve always loved Jean Marc XO as well. Cheers!
You should try polish Wyborowa. It's made of 100% rye without any chemistry.
Excellent video! My favorite these days is Nemiroff from Ukraine. Triple distilled from wheat.
Liked and subscribed and hit the bell. so great review
Thank you for that and cheers!
Tito's is distilled from corn. I don't think any of the others are. There aren't many corn vodkas out there, and I've noticed that I can usually pick up some sweeter notes from the corn vodkas. Also, Tito's uses water from the aquifers here in Austin which are filtered through limestone. That limestone imparts a distinctive flavor to the water. It actually gives it a bit of a citrusy flavor which tends to come through in vodkas that use limestone filtered water. Tito's if my favorite room temperature sipping vodka. I'm not put off by medicinal or "yeasty" notes. I actually like them. I'm into single malt Scotches from Islay, so I guess I'm desensitized to the smell of band aids, iodine, and hospital halls in my drinks. ;-)
Wow 👏 absolutely wonderful detailed and knowledgeable review! What about Kettle One ? I personally thinks it's much better then GreyGoose and Ciroc
Thanks 👍
Great vid
I held the first liquor license with Sams Club in 1982. I owned a thirty one thousand square foot liquors for twenty years. Vodka, by definition, is odorless and tasteless. However, there is a distinct difference in quality. In my opinion, Russian Standard Gold is the best vodka for the money.
If you have the opportunity, please try the Polish vodka Bialy Bocian. It is very popular in Poland. It is not expensive and has a very pleasant and delicate taste. Cheers!
I love Belvedere! Really smooth
On an evening out drinking socially I’ll buy slightly more expensive vodka than normal and all I notice is it seems a lot smoother. Drinking to get drunk after 5 shots I feel they all go down the same so I will stick to my weirdly sourced Lidl vodka 70cl for a tenner will do
Sipping Reyka now. Love it
If you're on a budget, try Platinum 7X! 1.75L by the case from Safeway, $9.95 per bottle, 3/17/21!
Hello, try Pravda. This is a Polish hand made vodka but you cant buy this at every store. The best vodka in the world. It outclassed Beluga, Ciroc and many other premium brands. Cheers!
Bought my first bottle of liquor (legally lmao) a week ago. Decided to go with Stolichnaya and boy was I impressed. Bloody Mary's for daysss
Drinking Haku Vodka, Japanese stuff very smooth. Bought Imperia once and it was like Drinking water out if the freezer. Haku is very good 👍
You need to try Mokovskaya. It's fantastic!
Where is Chopin and Zyr Zubrowka?
When I'm buying to drink at home, it's Exclusiv. When somebody else offers to buy, it's Stoli. On a few European airlines in business class, I like Ciroc. I've been gifted other way pricier ones, but none of them lived up to the price/value equation. I've been drinking ice cold vodka with a twist for fifty years.
Thanks for sharing and cheers!
I love your vodka tasting videos! It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on regular old Smirnoff in relation to these. I personally think that Smirnoff is a bit underrated, at least if you like a vodka with a focus on the lemon peel flavour that goes into more or a bitterish lemon pith carateristic still with a bit of sweetness. But then again me being in Europe I am not going to get the same Smirnoff that you are getting in the US, so who knows.
That does sound tasty, but I agree you might have received a good batch. The bottle I have is just okay. Thanks for the comment and cheers!
Thanks for the comment, I was wondering if someone had mentioned Smirnoff and was searching for the post. Thanks for replying LiquerHound.
@@LiquorHound There is only one real high quality vodka on your list, Beluga!!! All the rest are bad fakes!
Smirnov died a long time ago as a vodka brand, the Americans bought it and are selling a disgusting parody of vodka under this brand!
1st place - Beluga
2nd place - Russian Standard
3rd place - hundreds of vodka brands produced in Russia!
Absolutely must-have from Poland under $40 are "Grochowica" (Polanin Distillery) - the first pea distillate in Poland and "Młody Ziemniak" (Krzesk, Polmos Siedlce - Chopin Vodka Distillery).
Since they’re not available around me, I’ll have to take your word for it. Hopefully one day I can come across them but until then, thank you for the recommendations.Cheers!
@@LiquorHound I'll try to find a dram 50ml to sent to You. Greets
Monopolowa is from Poland. Should try "młody ziemniak" and japanese premium shoshu
Dr. Orloff. It will cure what ails ya! 😆 great job on the videos Liquor Hound
I'm typically scotch guy but Russian standard platinum is pretty good worth a try
We always drink vodka very cold in poland, sometimes we keep bottle in freezer so its thick when have a shot. And take shot of vodka on exhale not with air in your laungs. So you take a breath in after the shot just like you do searching and looking for hidden flavours
Actually I learned from your channel Monopolowa is from Austria - it was originally from Poland which I knew but when you said it was Austrian I had to research that they actually moved production to Austria - learned something :)
Thoughts on Kettle one, I very much like the purity, if you would comment on the grains purity rather than when you taste it.
Hey I usually get a Smirnoff or Tito’s, the usual, but I picked up a cheap bottle it’s called dobra vodka, it’s cheap but I found it’s actually a really nice flavor for some reason. Maybe you could review it or something like it? Good video tho I love the atmosphere. 👍
I must say it was well explained it was well said I did my homework I like this video I did my research on the vodka
Now if there is anything i have learnt from watching all of liquorhound videos is that when Chris takes a first sip of any alcohol spirit and says 'WOW' , thats usually all i need hear and comfimation for me to go out and get that bottle. Thanks Chris 🙂
Lol, thanks and cheers!
Chocker! Once again the clock is closing in on 2 am and I'm only digging my own YT-hole deeper and deeper. And the hole is almost always filled with stuff I'm never gonna be able to learn or use in real life either.
Lol, that can happen! Cheers!
crazy explanation ,, I watched this video and subscribe after 10 minuets watching it. Cause I love to learn more ,,,, cheers 🥂
Also if you can please find out if animal products use in any of products you are talking about will be great .. cheers 🍻
For my money, Stoli takes the cake. I put it in the freezer, down to near freezing temp, just before it becomes a syrup consistency, nice thick chilled glass. Can't beat it.