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Posts Tagged ‘Premium Vodka’

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Review: Wyborowa Exquisite (Wodka)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 24, 2011

It is speculated that Poland was the first country to have produced the spirit which we now call Vodka (or Wodka as it is pronounced in Poland). The name translates from Polish literally as “little water”, and in support of the claim that Poland is the origin of this spirit are documents referencing the word ‘vodka’ from the Palatinate of Sandomierz (an administrative unit of local  government) in Poland from 1405. As well, the first written usage of the word Vodka in the Russian language appears to be from 1533 in reference to a medicinal drink which was being brought to Russia from Poland by Kiev Merchants. The Etymology is far from certain, but is certain is that we can place vodka firmly into the traditions of Slavic culture up to five hundred years ago.

Wyborowa (pronounced Vee Bow Row Va) Vodka is an authentic Polish Vodka made from 100 per cent Rye grain. The grain is grown in the Pozan region of Poland, and it is initially distilled in small local agricultural distilleries into a raw spirit. This raw spirit is further refined at the Wyborowa modern rectification plant in Pozan where it is processed through a three column continuous still to reach the desired level of purity. Water from a deep ground aquifer is used to bring the spirit to 40 % abv.

Wyborowa Exquisite is the Premium version of Wyborowa Vodka and it is produced in Turew, which is a single estate distillery in Western Poland. It is distilled using 100 % Dankowslie Slote Rye Grain.  The Wyborowa Exquisite has been my Vodka of choice for several years now. However, now that I am beginning to experiment a little with Vodka spirits I thought I should put my favourite Wyborowa Vodka through the paces of my review methodology to see how it compares to the other Premium Vodka Samples I have recently received.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…A mellow rye-like heat is present in my throat after I swallow. I detected no bitterness, only a very light aftertaste which is of rye spice, and a delicate gin-like flavour of piny citrus. A nice beginning….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Wyborowa Exquisite (Wodka)

Please enjoy the review, and the cocktail suggestion (The exquisite Blue lemon Martini) at the end. Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Wyborowa Exquisite (Wodka)

Vodka Review: Nemiroff Rye Honey Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 13, 2011

Today I am  continuing with my mini series of Vodka Reviews with another flavoured Vodka produced by the Nemiroff Vodka Company. The Nemiroff Rye Honey Vodka, (which was launched in 2003), is a lightly flavoured Vodka spirit which combines the essences of freshly baked rye bread with the sweetness of real honey. I received a sample bottle to review from Igor Kashkan, the local importer of Nemiroff Vodka..

Nemiroffis a Ukrainian Vodka company based in the town of Nemyriv in Vinnytska Oblast. Since it was founded in 1992, the spirits company has experienced widespread recognition of their products and witnessed rapid growth in world-wide sales. The company currently exports to over 50 different countries in Europe and abroad.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“….When I took my first sip, the cold vodka (about 5 degrees Celsius) felt creamy in my mouth, and it coated the palate with light but firm rye spices which also had hints of bread dough, and a feathery sweetness which did actually remind me of honey…”

You may read the full Review here:

Vodka Review: Nemiroff Rye Honey Vodka

As well I have included recipes for the Balalaika and the Rye Honey Vodka Martini.

Please enjoy the review!!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Vodka Review: Nemiroff Rye Honey Vodka

Vodka Review: Crystal Head Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 10, 2011

Perhaps the most unique and unusual product presentation at The 2010 Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival was the Crystal Head Vodka with its glass crystal decanter shaped like a human skull, complete with two skull cups to serve the spirit in. My buddy Dennis, who was with me at the show, was as smitten by the product presentation as I was. As fortune would have it he was given a bottle (er skull) complete with Skull cups as a Christmas Present from one of his pals. Dennis often joins me for my informal tasting sessions on various Sunday afternoons, and a few days after our first Vodka tasting (See Tasting Nemiroff Vodka), he invited me over to sample the spirit within the crystal skull. We followed the steps as outlined in my Vodka Tasting Methodology, and after our tasting session he allowed me to take home another sample of the spirit so that I could do further tastings on my own such that I could write a proper review.

After a few evenings with the Crystal Head Vodka, and a few cocktail experiments I wrote the following review:

Vodka Review: Crystal Head Vodka

Please enjoy the review which includes a Video from the Crystal Head website  explaining their ideas regarding the Crystal Head Vodka and another Video chosen by myself the end of the review (from the Canadian Rock Band Trooper) which I believe wraps up the review quite well.

Enjoy!!

Posted in Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Vodka Review: Crystal Head Vodka

Introducing: O2 Sparkling Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 17, 2010

I ran into a new style of Vodka at the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival a few weeks back and I thought it would be fun to write about it here on my Blog,  Of course, since you read the title of this post, you know that I am talking about  O2 Premium Sparkling Vodka! (PS: In case you were wondering, they sent me copies of their website graphics to dress up my posting!)

O2 Premium Sparkling Vodka bills itself as the world’s first Premium Sparkling Vodka. When I sampled this spirit at the Wine and Food Festival I was actually quite smitten by what I encountered, hints of citrus, and those awesome tiny bubbles filling my mouth. Anyone who has read some of my reviews, and the cocktails which I like to construct for the various spirits I have sampled, realizes that I am a soda loving  person. A spirit that combines my love of soda bubbles with a light crisp taste really has my attention from the get go.

I should also mention that there is two different versions of the O2. The ‘regular’ O2 Premium Sparkling Vodka which arrives in a tall frosted white bottle (which is not regular at all). And the 945 Super Premium Sparkling Vodka which arrives in a tall frosted black bottle. Both versions carry nice light citrus notes and those wonderful champagne-like bubbles to the palate. The 945 Super Premium Vodka also carries hints of floral tones and mild grain in the flavour profile.

Unfortunately, I have only had that one sampling experience with O2 which was at the aforementioned Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival. I remember thinking as I was sampling, of how those little bubbles would improve the mouth feel of some of my favourite cocktails. Think about it, a Screwdriver or a Cosmopolitan full of nice bubbly goodness. So… to make a long story short, I contacted the importer of O2, Premium Imports, to see about getting a sample to review on my blog.  Initial indications are positive, so in a few weeks time I hope to be providing everyone with a full review to kick off my new Vodka Review Section.

Things seem to be looking up for the Rum Howler!  Cheers Everyone!

Posted in Howls, Vodka | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

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