Scotch? No thanks. Whats the best Vodka.?

My response above left the actual name of the vodka out -- it's Monopolova.

Austrian potato vodka in the generic-looking white-labelled bottle with "Vodka" in plain blue letters. Used to be very expensive until their distribution got a little better.

Makes a smooth, easy-to-drink martini - doesn't taste like if you coughed near a candle you'd shoot a flame out of your mouth (like so many of the grain vodkas do).

Check it out - very inexpensive to boot.

I am partial to a couple of potato vodkas:

Chopin (everywhere)
Teton Glacier Idaho (hard to find)

Peace,

Lee

For the record, it's Ketel.

"Kettle" sounds like the Ripple of Vodka :-)

I second Kettle one.

Ciroc. Smooooth
Especially with blue cheese olives.
Chopin second.
Setting the Vermouth bottle close to the vodka
bottle is enough Vermouth.

I forgot to mention that if you find yourself on a Celebrity cruise ship, they offer Stoli Elit at the same price as Grey Goose even though it costs 2 to 3x as much at retail. A best buy :) Finding Jewel of Russia is a challenge..they have very thin distribution in the US.

Stoli elit and Jewel of Russia Ultra are both worth trying, but extremely expensive. Believe it or not, Tito's (texas) is extremely good as well, well worth trying (I always have a bottle in my freezer). Since restaurants carry none of the above, my preference is Kettle One.

And in fairness to Popov...it's as good as stoli elite in a bloody mary or a screwdriver :) I keep a bottle of whatever interesting is on sale...most recently, I've been using three olives in mixed drinks because they had a great deal going.

I tried the Debowa Polish oak vodka that Mariusz brought to a meeting once and it was superb. There's a little piece of oak floating in it that gives it a nice golden color.

I am a Belvedere fan, but this was just tasty. If you can find it you should try it.

Bob

Svedka again. Grey Goose for special occasions.

Kettle One for me. But I am a hack so what do I know?

I am fond of Grey Goose. And while we are in the vicinity, so to speak, Plymouth gin is very pleasant. The New York Times published a study some time ago, and they maintained that Plymouth (made in Plymouth, England) is the best gin for martinis. I trust New York Times reviews more that I trust Stereophile reviews.

Pravda - reasonably priced Polish vodka.

Etalon

Chopin - smooth smooth smooth as mashed Polish potatoes

Armadale - Vodka from Scotch-land!

Jewel of Russia Classic - like really really good Stoli...

Several years ago when all the currently trendy 'boutique' vodkas came around a friend who managed a restaurant poured every vodka he had on ice and six of us tasted them all blindly. 5/6 chose Kettle one, with the beer drinker choosing Smirnoff. I still stock Kettle one in my home, though I must agree with Ghosthouse, Lukasawa is a great vodka, and it is dirt cheap.

Debowa - Polish Oak Tree Vodka (very exquisit taste - think, Johnny Walker Blue Label. Silky smooth.)

Belvedere Vodka

Chopin if low on Belvedere.

Zubrowka - Bison Grass flavored Vodka (If you try Debowa Vodka and liked it, try this one as well)

.....and remember to keep your shot glasses frozen as well as your vodka.
.... enjoy sampling new stuff but stay away from the steering wheel.

Mariusz

HANGER ONE

Grey Goose

Absolut 100

My #2 choice if I can't get Svedka is Luksusowa (Polish Potato Vodka).

Svedka

aristocrat and taaka. when i can find those, i prefer chopin.