Of course, we know what vodka is made from. It’s produced in Siberia, adding some flair in both its flavor and its exoticness. The most important point in the process of vodka production is the distillation of spirit. In this post I share how to drink vodka in Russia and why it is not quite the same as outside of Russia. NEXT: 10 Things Every American Should Know Before Planning A Trip To Russia. The word “vodka” itself has been known since the 17th century and most probably derives from the word “voda” (“water” in Russian). By the time the Soviet Union came to an end, revenue from vodka sales and taxation was yet again at one third the national budget. Real Russian Vodka rating was calculated by tastings.com to be 87 points out of 100 on 10/26/2012. And more than likely, it was originally used for medicinal purposes. By Nicholas Mancall-Bitel. 10 of 10. Russians drink literally millions of bottles of Dovgan per year with sales in excess of one million cases per year across the Russian Federation. The face of … It was first made in 1901. But what is the best Russian vodka? Buy now Grey Goose vodka, 70cl, 40%: £30, Amazon Famous for ordering a ‘Vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred’, the fictional British Secret Service agent was created by author Ian Fleming. And obviously, it pairs well with caviar! And there are some differences among the vodkas that come from the vodka belt countries. Top 10 Best Vodka Brands. Seriously though, the finest caviar in the world pairs well with any Russian vodka. These countries have been producing vodka for many hundreds of years, or in the case of Poland, probably over a thousand years, using traditional raw materials like grains, potatoes, or sugar beet molasses. From the Tambov region of Russia is Stolichnaya Elit, another premium vodka but one well worth trying. Using an ancient Siberian recipe, this vodka is distilled from ‘winter wheat’, giving it an exceptionally clean, smooth flavor. Vegetables of all sorts are often served alongside vodka. Vodka Mamont is produced n one of the oldest distilleries in Russia. Shop Real Russian Vodka at the best prices. It also means the Dovgan that is now available in the UK is exactly the same as the Dovgan drunk across the whole of the Russian Federation. According to a number of scholars, vodka was probably first produced at a local level in Poland. Even if it did, the alcohol companies don't have tremendous political clout in … Some of the earliest producers were the monks at the Chudov Monastery in the Kremlin, who first began distilling grain alcohol in the 1400s. Real Russian Vodka rating was calculated by tastings.com to be 87 points out of 100 on 10/26/2012. This is one of the good, cheap vodkas that you will find in many Russian homes, which speaks to its quality and popularity. 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The Ultra Black rounds out our list in part because it’s more expensive than its cousin, and it is, for the most part, pretty similar. But through it all, vodka remains a national icon and beloved spirit in Russia! It was probably in the 14th century, about 100 years prior to the industrious monks of Chudov, and likely by way of Genoese merchants. Whether you’re stocking up for a party or want to add something unique to your personal collection, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. Real vodka is totally clear, and has no sediment at the bottom of the bottle or particles floating in it. This recipe is widely regarded as the first “modern vodka” created in Russia. The packaging of Beluga really fits the aesthetic for a vodka named after the more famous caviar in the world. (To get a real sense of the nuances, the brand also distills bottles made of wheat and rye, the other two original vodka sources, for a night of serious taste-testing.) The selection is smaller, however, Polish potato vodka market is growing every year, so the new brands may appear soon. Reply Published July 21, 2012 9:21 pm. The taste gives some sweetness, with a fine mineral water finish that is smooth but very flavorful. With the loss of Crimea, Ukrainian vodka has become an even more dominant part of the country's beverage industries. Enjoy this Master Class on how to drink vodka like a real Russian. These vodkas come at affordable prices ranging between $10-20 plus some of them come with a wide array of flavors to try out. This is a solid, even if unremarkable, vodka. 92 Points - The Tasting Panel "Made in the U.S. from an heirloom Russian family recipe that has been traced back to 1905. What we preach. Stolichnaya Gold vodka. It is exceptionally crystal-clear vodka with subtle tones of citrus and anise, medium to full-bodied, inducing flavors of powdered sugar and subtle spice, creamy-textured, rich flavored finish. In fact many consumers and mixologists have raised the significant question of whether or not a high-end vodka is really that much better than a mid-level or even cheap bottle. Russian Standard is now available in North America, but it's worth mentioning for the sheer affordability compared with the quality. Stalin was well-known for making his adversaries and underlings drink more than they could handle so as to quash dissent. But most Russians will tell you that Stoli is rarely consumed in Russia — it’s much more of an export spirit. So while Green Mark may not be one to drink neat like Zyr, if you're looking to mix up a few vodka cocktails on your travels, this may be the go-to you need. As the manufact… Za zdaróvye! Russia, Poland, and other European countries have long been known for their exceptional vodkas, though the United States is quickly gaining ground. 12 Hangar 1 Fog Point Vodka Hangar Distilled 5 times and then filtered using sand, paper, and charcoal, this is a full-bodied Russian vodka. Russian Vodka Brands And Attributes. Stolichnaya is among the most popular vodkas in the world, and is often at the top in terms of bottles sold every year. “Bread wine” was one of the original names given to vodka in Russia because it was traditionally meant to be consumed with bread. Russian vodka brands are big enough that the loss of Western gay bar business is not likely to harm them much. Stolichnaya is a Russian vodka… Though it is not as viscous as other Russian vodkas, it offers a balanced taste with hints of citrus, spice, and mellow sweetness before it finishes with a bit of pepper. The Russian vodka industry is huge and growing. Though this spirit would be great in any number of mixed drinks, it especially shines in a martini, letting you know that you are drinking a Russian vodka! Now, many countries produce great selections of various kinds of vodka, but only Russian vodka has … Although not ideal for drinking straight, this is a great vodka for use in cocktails. The brand takes great pride in their vodka, claiming it to be the perfect mixture of an authentic Russian vodka with a smooth way of going down. Explore thousands of wines, spirits and beers, and shop online for delivery or pickup in a store near you. It's a fairly recent vodka, being released in 2003, and although vodka is always great to mix with cocktails, the bottle recommends drinking it neat. Luksusowa Vodka Review By … They came up extremely fast with ambitious plans to take 20% of the Russian vodka market by the end of 2013 around their launch, and are still rising today. Its recipe was formulated some years ago, requiring a special scalding technique. The mouth-feel is buttery and with sweetness and mild spice and a solid crisp mineral taste that is the result of the water source used in production. Its popularity is based on significant historical and technological reasons. Please note that MSRP may have changed since the date of our review. But it is sooo good, we think it deserves to be included on this list. In 1894 — considered by many the birth-year of modern vodka — Mendeleev calculated that the ideal alcohol content for vodka is 40% (which remains the standard to this day). Top 15 Cheapest Vodka Brands … It is made from winter wheat, passes sixfold distillation and is filtered through birch charcoal. Belvedere. ), we hope we've convinced you it's worth it. But, like any country, what is most popular is often what is cheapest. Yeah right. Vodkas made from high-quality grains, DE LUX quality spirits and drinking waters that are oxygenated and filtrated with the use of membrane technology, activated coal, some low-fat milk powder, as well as tripled filtration — everything to guarantee the smoothest consistency vodka. See more ideas about Russian vodka, Russian recipes, Vodka. And after all, that's vodka's job in a cocktail, really — it should be so smooth that it adds something very subtle to the drink and is by no means over-powering, even with a healthy dose in there. Leading brands include Nemiroff (in Nemyriv), Khlibnyi Dar (in Cherkasy Oblast), and Khortytsia, based on the island of the same name in the River Dnieper. Real Russian vodka is made from a base of grain that includes winter wheat grown in the American midwest. Well, that’s where we come in! Many of these brands are hand-crafted and produced by extremely talented master distillers. Though Green Mark has been around since the 1920s, it has only recently been available outside of Russia. Seriously though, figuring out which country has the best vodka is almost as subjective as deciding on your favorite color — it depends on what you like. I have tried Luksusowa side by side with Russian Standard and I must attest to the fact that Russian has more of a “bite”. After all, it's from Siberia, so it's much easier to get over there. Mellow and smooth with sweet vanilla and lush texture; long and rich with a ripe, lengthy finish." For instance, Russian and Polish vodkas tend to be heavier and more mineral, while vodkas produced in Sweden or other Scandinavian countries tend to be fruitier. This is a highly rated brand with a fair price tag, around the same price as the above mentioned Russian Standard, and it comes in a variety of weird and wonderful flavors (such as honey pepper — we're not sure if we'd love or hate this?). Herring is the most popular fish served with vodka, usually accompanied by boiled potatoes. Vodka in Russian actually means “water,” and it is commonly believed to have hailed from the region of Russia and Poland. There is some debate as to who actually invented vodka, but Russia has definitely had a long-running love affair with the spirit. If you’re looking to buy Polish vodka online, you’ll find it right here in our imported spirits shop. BEST RUSSIAN. It may seem like a stereotype of the western world that Russians love their vodka, but they do — Russians drink around twenty-seven liters of alcohol a year, and vodka is one of their more popular drink choices. Like Stoli Elit, Jewel of Russia can be sipped neat, or serve as the alcohol base for almost any vodka-based cocktails. As mentioned above, we will now cover the top 10 best vodka brands that you can buy online: Grey Goose VX [Premium Vodka] Belvedere [Polish Vodka] Chopin [Polish Potato Vodka] Beluga Noble Russian [Russian Vodka] Stolichnaya [Russian Vodka] Żubrówka [Infused Polish Vodka] American Harvest Organic [Idaho Vodka] Made in Germany by one of the oldest and most recognized German vodka brands, this product is made from 100% fine wheat grains as well as the crystal waters of the Vogelsberg Highlands in Northern Germany. In fact, year after year Stolichnaya is one of the best-selling vodkas around the world. 700 milliliters; 40%. The nose on Nemiroff offers hints of thyme that accentuate vegetative freshness. Now it’s triple-distilled and put through a six-stage filtration process using activated charcoal and quartz sand. Distilled 6 times and filtered 10 for a delicious, smooth straight up drink or perfect in any cocktail, undetectable when mixed! So if you want some of the original ТОВАРИЩ!, you'll have to go directly to Russia itself. Enjoy these other premium products with your favorite Russian vodka: Beluga Sturgeon Hybrid Caviar: If you’ve got the money, honey, we’ve got the time! Zyr Russian Vodka. The soviet style packaging gives this vodka a kitschy flair, while the name Tobaritch (comrade) is meant to evoke the idea that enjoying vodka is something you do with friends. This is an outstanding vodka for sipping straight or using in a variety of cocktails! It is distilled in St. Petersburg and filtered through a "silver filtration system". This vodka offers great flexibility for mixing cocktails, and though it is not as cheap as Tobaritch, it’s still a really great price. This is a really solid vodka for mixing drinks. The 7 Best Russian Vodka Brands. Russian Standard vodka comes from a recipe created in 1894 and attributed to Dmitri Mendeleev, the famous scientist who developed the periodic table. With more than 300 years under their belt, the Dutch brand consistently delivers when it comes to affordable vodka. Read this to be able to show off that you can drink vodka like a real Russian. For instance, some of the most memorable ad campaigns for vodka came from Stolichnaya, one of the most recognizable producers of vodka, known the world over. And Green Mark offers a good viscous finish with a little heat at the back of the throat. To your health! It happens. Tobaritch is distilled 5 times and then filtered through charcoal and silver (silver-filtering is a pretty big thing in Russia), to give it a good smooth finish. One of the Russian Standard bottlings, this vodka is distilled from 100% Russian winter wheat. Share 21 And the price is so good, why wouldn’t you have a bottle of this on your shelf? Serving up the hottest food trends and the inside scoop on restaurants worldwide. We recommend products based on unbiased research from our editorial team. Please note that MSRP may have changed since the date of our review. But the person who really put the drink on the map is not even real: James Bond. The aromas include bread and some spice and citrus notes. These folks are also marketing geniuses, and have created some of the most memorable ad campaigns in the liquor world. Most Russian vodkas are made from wheat. You can buy Russian vodka online, as well as some of the most popular Swedish vodka, Finnish vodka and Irish vodka brands. If you ever make the journey to Russia itself, you'll find some of the best vodkas available — and you just have to try these brands. If you're ever on the fence about visiting this country and super into your alcohol (or willing to get into it! The nose includes a fruitiness complemented by grain and pepper. Distillers in these countries have adopted and adapted the methods perfected in the vodka belt countries. Vodka can be found at all kinds of important events like weddings, births, and funerals, and it has certainly played an important role in the history of Russia. So how and when did vodka make it to Russia? (It’s usually grains.) With literally hundreds of Russian vodkas available in Russia, and dozens accessible in international markets, it can be tough deciding on which is the best Russian vodka — especially since choosing a vodka relies considerably on personal taste. RELATED: 10 Most Instagrammable Locations In Russia. The water comes from an artesian well where the water is filtered by 540 million year old minerals. Stoli is a name you might recognize as it is probably the most famous Russian vodka brand abroad. And there is no denying it — Russians love their vodka, and they love producing it for the rest of the world! Bruce Watson April 25, 2014. From down-home watering holes that keep you honest, to uncharted territories that keep you thirsty, we raise a glass to the legends that throw it down, no matter where the sun comes up. 7. Over 3000 brands of Russian vodka are available on the market today. That’s when refining techniques improved the spirit’s overall quality, intensified its alcohol content, and led to the need to moderate the volume of consumption. According to another disputed story, Dmitri Mendeleev — yes, the guy that developed the periodic table — is credited with crafting the first “modern” vodka recipe. So get out your vermouth and olives — it’s martini time! By 1648 — well after Ivan’s demise — nearly a third of Russian men were in debt to these taverns. Mendeleev was commissioned by the government to develop the recipe because much of the vodka in Russia at the time was of really poor quality. According to a number of historians, it was the 16th century ruler Ivan the Terrible who first saw the political power that could come from alcohol. Ah, a classic. The flavor palate is malty, with a good sweetness. If you want exceptional taste, order a glass of Beluga Vodka. Produced in its homeland of Russia but oddly more common in Germany than any other country, the distinctive green bottle makes it stand out on shelves and it has high, high popularity in Europe. This ultra premium vodka is probably the most expensive brand of Russian spirits. In the last few decades, we have seen the American-made vodka market explode. It's cheaper if you head to Russia, so maybe wait until you're traveling to try one of the pricer varieties they carry... You'll have to look a little harder to source this outside of Russia and the surrounding countries, but it's not impossible — though this is actually a Ukranian brand! The flavor is a bit bittersweet and it does give off heat on the finish when drinking or sipping straight. They have their standard bottles along with even more premium priced ones, but the cheapest you'll find a bottle of this in the USA for is around $40. This vodka is excellent for sipping or for mixing. As with any spirit, there is diversity within the category. Even though now it is made in many places around the world, we thought a look at the top 10 Vodkas from that region would be worth a look. Mendeleev was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II to create a higher quality spirit. Strangely enough, it is not that easy to buy and try real vodka - unless, of course, we talk about marketing and the widespread sales of hyped brands.Whether these brands are real Russian vodka is not a clear-cut issue … So enjoy! Beluga is real top shelf Russian vodka at a reasonable price. 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