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When I was excited about US Airways’ offering free liquor in the club, some people warned me not to get too excited because it was Gordon’s vodka.  Not exactly A+ brand.
But in the US Airways Club today, I noticed Absolute on the shelf instead of Gordon’s. Â Not too bad.
But when I asked for my cocktail, I saw something that would induce horror in the people who warned me against the Gordon’s vodka.
When the bottle was pointed away from me, that wasn’t a good sign.
I noticed the bottle was well-quality–basically Vladmir Vodka-esque, but of a different name.
So for those who complained about the Gordon’s vodka–it can get worse.
(Sorry, as a former bartender, I was assuming too many people were exposed to the horror that is Vladmir. Â Here’s the Urban Dictionary on it. )
I am not much of a vodka drinker, mostly wine or whisky, but I am former bartender, too.
There was a taste-test done by a reputable publication some years ago. Blind tasting of a wide range of vodkas, various price points. Various judges from the hospitality industry and others who write/judge spirits.
Popov won it. Frankly, I don’t know if all high-end vodkas are really worth the price. Scotch, Whisky, Tequila, I get it. Vodka and gin – I don’t get it. Especially everyone drinking Vodka or Gin is usually mixing it with something.
Grey Goose is just a bunch of the other place’s left over stuff distilled a buncha times.
Popov and Skol were the first vodkas I ever drank (35+ years ago). They were OK (in screwdrivers) until I could afford something else. Popov must have changed since then to now be winning taste tests.
Who drinks the hard stuff any more? Neanderthals?
Neanderthal reporting for duty, sir!
It was Smirnoff that won in the major blind tasting that you mentioned. Not quite as cheap as Popov, but still pretty cheap!
I prefer Smirnoff’s citron to any of the other flavored vodka guys!
I’ve heard in some of the bars that they’d put “vladimir vodka” in some of the pricier vodka bottles since most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. I hope US airways won’t do that.
They wouldn’t. It’s illegal in many states to pour alcohol from one bottle into another, even if they are the same kind (marrying).
At least it wasn’t Popov. I get a headache just thinking about it. Popov had one good use in college – we dumped out the handle and made a hooka out of the empty (plastic) bottle.
Greg Goose for martinis or on the rocks.
Stoli (preferred) or Absolut for tonics (Skyy in an emergency only).
Smirnoff – only for cape cods or screwdrivers.