[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I've have had a lot of Vodka's in my life and there is a massive point of diminishing returns unlike scotch or say tequila.

This is why the high end Vodka market is effectively dead... it's the worst category of alcohol to sell in. But that aside by defaut I would recommend Polish Vodkas just based on tradition over French.

Very rare and unknown - Snow Leopard Vodka - 6 times distilled in Poland and only like $29.99 per 750ML... it doesn't get better but is very hard to find. There is little to no aging in Vodka so while I am sure that Vodka is terrific, I can assure you I can find something awfully close up to $30...

Also, if anyone ever says Tito's / Grey Goose are good vodkas, you should pretty much get banned from posting on this forum lol.

I hear you and to some degree, I can agree. The sheer nature of Vodka puts it at a disadvantage to my favorite spirit: Rum. But Cognac, Scotch and even Whiskey have more character, aging, flavor profile, etc.
That being said, yes, Vodka is generally a play it safe mixer type of alcohol for me. One that I don't associate with sipping. The exception being this and my second favorite, ZYR. But no, you won't find ANY Vodka close the sheer smoothness and unique flavor of this XO. That I am confident of.

It uses four French wheat grains, selected for their specific flavors. Each wheat grain is separated from its chaff before distillation in order to eliminate any bitterness and to reveal the wheat’s individual flavor. Spring water, filtered through Grande Champagne limestone, is added. Jean-Marc XO Vodka is distilled nine times in very small batches using traditional copper alambic stills. Then Jean-Marc XO is micro-oxygenated (a Bordeaux technique) and filtered through Limousin oak charcoal to finish. Very unusually, the entire process takes several weeks from start to finish. Each bottle is individually numbered to reflect its handmade artisanship.

The Jean-Marc XO has performed reasonably well at spirit ratings competitions. It was awarded 97 points by the US Beverage Testing Institute in 2007 [1] (one of only two vodkas to get this score), and is the only vodka ever honored by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2005). Wine Enthusiast was significantly less impressed with Jean-Marc XO, however, giving the vodka a rating of 85-89 in 2005.[2]

Jean-Marc XO Vodka was listed in a book of "101 Things to Buy Before you Die" (published late 2006), alongside other cultural icons such as Cartier watches and Aston Martin DB5's: a shorter list of 50 Things, including Jean-Marc XO Vodka, was compiled for the Daily Mail.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Marc_XO_Vodka

https://www.crownwineandspirits.com/...o-vodka-750ml/

[JJ 911SC]

A sip on the way to the hot tub and one on the way back...

The Islay Mist is my DD.

[dinonz]

Macallan Rare Cask

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I've have had a lot of Vodka's in my life and there is a massive point of diminishing returns unlike scotch or say tequila.

This is why the high end Vodka market is effectively dead... it's the worst category of alcohol to sell in. But that aside by defaut I would recommend Polish Vodkas just based on tradition over French.

Very rare and unknown - Snow Leopard Vodka - 6 times distilled in Poland and only like $29.99 per 750ML... it doesn't get better but is very hard to find. There is little to no aging in Vodka so while I am sure that Vodka is terrific, I can assure you I can find something awfully close up to $30...

Also, if anyone ever says Tito's / Grey Goose are good vodkas, you should pretty much get banned from posting on this forum lol.

Not much of a vodka connoisseur more of a bourbon fan. However i’ve always bought Ketel One as a decent vodka to have. I’ve heard it’s top shelf but never been interested enough to compare

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Macallan Rare Cask

I almost picked up a bottle of that a month ago - let me know what your thoughts are!

[Merami fan]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I've have had a lot of Vodka's in my life and there is a massive point of diminishing returns unlike scotch or say tequila.

This is why the high end Vodka market is effectively dead... it's the worst category of alcohol to sell in. But that aside by defaut I would recommend Polish Vodkas just based on tradition over French.

Very rare and unknown - Snow Leopard Vodka - 6 times distilled in Poland and only like $29.99 per 750ML... it doesn't get better but is very hard to find. There is little to no aging in Vodka so while I am sure that Vodka is terrific, I can assure you I can find something awfully close up to $30...

Also, if anyone ever says Tito's / Grey Goose are good vodkas, you should pretty much get banned from posting on this forum lol.

Very much agreed. Given the option to try an expensive vodka or other type of liquor, I'd definitely go with 'other' even though I do like vodka.

Looks like Snow Leopard is available here. I'll pick up a bottle next time I accidentally find myself at Total Wine...

I don't get the "hype" over Tito's, Grey Goose et al. either. Especially Grey Goose...

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

Not much of a vodka connoisseur more of a bourbon fan. However i’ve always bought Ketel One as a decent vodka to have. I’ve heard it’s top shelf but never been interested enough to compare

Ketel one is VERY good and can be had for $19.99 at Total wine...

However I would not call it a premium vodka and for just a few bucks more; I could find something far better. If one is into just mixing drinks... Ketel is almost too good lol.

[TXSTYLE]

It's cool. Sleep on this amazing spirit I tried to share.

[jas2727570]

Can never go wrong with Blantons, if you can find it. Where I am in Ohio it seems near impossible to find. Although I have a colleague that travels to Connecticut frequently and it seems to be given out like candy there?

If I can't get ahold of Blantons i've been into Angels Envy Finished Rye

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by jas2727570

Can never go wrong with Blantons, if you can find it. Where I am in Ohio it seems near impossible to find. Although I have a colleague that travels to Connecticut frequently and it seems to be given out like candy there?

If I can't get ahold of Blantons i've been into Angels Envy Finished Rye

I remember I could always find this at the local Total Wine. Not anymore. I guess it became hip at some point and now you can't buy it anymore. Oh well, I'm certainly not wasting my time hunting it down or paying crazy prices for it, especially considering all the other great bourbons that are easily available.

Woodford is still my go to bourbon. I've tried others but I always end up liking Woodford better and the price is decent also.

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Ketel one is VERY good and can be had for $19.99 at Total wine...

However I would not call it a premium vodka and for just a few bucks more; I could find something far better. If one is into just mixing drinks... Ketel is almost too good lol.

Vodka is meant to be a smooth mixer. With juice Ciroc is just the smoothest. For cocktails I prefer stoli elite.

I will say, “hype” about Tito’s or GG I have not heard, but they don’t suck.

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I remember I could always find this at the local Total Wine. Not anymore. I guess it became hip at some point and now you can't buy it anymore. Oh well, I'm certainly not wasting my time hunting it down or paying crazy prices for it, especially considering all the other great bourbons that are easily available.

Woodford is still my go to bourbon. I've tried others but I always end up liking Woodford better and the price is decent also.

I like blantons but i’m not gonna pay ridiculous prices for it.

Woodford is okay but imo it is way overhyped and overpriced for what it is. I’ve had way better in the same and lower pricepoints. I’ll pick up 1792 or buffalo trace all day before i buy another bottle of woodford

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

I like blantons but i’m not gonna pay ridiculous prices for it.

Woodford is okay but imo it is way overhyped and overpriced for what it is. I’ve had way better in the same and lower pricepoints. I’ll pick up 1792 or buffalo trace all day before i buy another bottle of woodford

I never see buffalo trace at my local total wine, dunno if they sell out or they just don't carry it. Never tried 1792 so may have to give that a shot although it seems to be the same price as woodford.

I have been on a bourbon break though, been drinking mainly scotch and gin lately.

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I never see buffalo trace at my local total wine, dunno if they sell out or they just don't carry it. Never tried 1792 so may have to give that a shot although it seems to be the same price as woodford.

I have been on a bourbon break though, been drinking mainly scotch and gin lately.

I’ve been having trouble finding buffalo trace lately as well but i still have a bottle so it’s no worries.

Yes 1792 is the same price as woodford but my opinion is its much better taste and far smoother at roughly the same proof

[P1]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I've have had a lot of Vodka's in my life and there is a massive point of diminishing returns unlike scotch or say tequila.

This is why the high end Vodka market is effectively dead... it's the worst category of alcohol to sell in. But that aside by defaut I would recommend Polish Vodkas just based on tradition over French.

Very rare and unknown - Snow Leopard Vodka - 6 times distilled in Poland and only like $29.99 per 750ML... it doesn't get better but is very hard to find. There is little to no aging in Vodka so while I am sure that Vodka is terrific, I can assure you I can find something awfully close up to $30...

Also, if anyone ever says Tito's / Grey Goose are good vodkas, you should pretty much get banned from posting on this forum lol.

If you want a fun read, look up the truth on Tito’s.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Vodka is meant to be a smooth mixer. With juice Ciroc is just the smoothest. For cocktails I prefer stoli elite.

I will say, "hype" about Tito's or GG I have not heard, but they don't suck.

if you're into simply mixing... then bullshit like titos is good enough... if u want flavor and drink shots, or rather i should say want vodka w 0 flavor and after taste (which is the biggest compliment of vodka), then get something more premium

[Maynard]

For my vodka it is Stoli - but more for tradition; don't think I've tried even a handful of others (aside from 'well drink nights' that are best forgotten). Even if it isn't traditionally aged, you will benefit from getting one that is at least a year or two old, to let the nasties filter out some. Once I graduated from HS and didn't need to hide that I was drinking, vodka lost a lot of its appeal

[ASAP]

So not usually a Patron fan at all as it is one of the most produced overpriced tequilas out there; however, I decided to give this a shot-

It's one of the cheapest Extra Anejos out there-

I must say its phenomenal... $89.99 at Total Wine... sharp taste, very reminiscent of Codigo 1530, definitely notes of whiskey barrel aging in it...

[David70]

Originally Posted by ASAP

if you're into simply mixing... then bullshit like titos is good enough... if u want flavor and drink shots, or rather i should say want vodka w 0 flavor and after taste (which is the biggest compliment of vodka), then get something more premium

I never thought much of vodka, or at least with spending much time looking for a great one. With the goal for the best to taste like nothing, seems kind of pointless. I drink it sometimes but mid priced mixed with something. At least it doesn't cost much. Did a blind tasting at my house recently, Tito's, Ketel One, and Costco. If the goal is to not taste like anything I thought Costco won, I thought Ketel One had the best taste and Tito's was last either way. Just my opinion. Now mostly buy the Costco 1.75.

[TXSTYLE]

Has anyone tried this yet? I've seen it advertised in my social media feed and it sounds very interesting...

[evil-G-nius]

^^Nope but I'd be willing to try it. My favorite tequila is still Clase Azul though.

Last sip I had was Diplimatico Rum 2004 Single Vintage

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by evil-G-nius

^^Nope but I'd be willing to try it. My favorite tequila is still Clase Azul though.

Last sip I had was Diplimatico Rum 2004 Single Vintage

Their entire lineup is delicious. Nice selection.