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paying lots of money for vodka
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This, especially if you're going to flavor it with anything. I'm not a vodka fan to begin with, but when I order something that has it, I just get well vodka.

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Now don't get me wrong, we about always have at least one bottle around the house. I love a good Bloody and I like to make a quick screwdriver now and again but the stuff is meant to be tasteless. Now I'm not saying everyone should buy McCormick's but once you get to about the Ketel One/Tito's (although Tito's is getting pricier) level of quality/price then I just don't see the point of paying any more than that.

I would agree 100% - if you are going to use it as a mixer, there is only so much upside to the higher end vodkas.

However - if you are a "vodka martini" person -or you drink your vodka straight - it makes all the difference in the world. (And I don't need any snide comments about the fact that you can't make a true martini with vodka - I partly agree.)

Under those circumstances the correct order of preference is...

1. Double Cross
2. Hangar One
3. Ketel One
4. Chopin

If you truly do a blind taste test, I promise you that Tito's, Enchanted Rock, Absolut - they don't compare and it's not even close.

That being said - don't go dumping Double Cross into a hardcore bloody mary mix or you've got stupid written all over you.

I agree 125% wesson!

listen to this man

Didn't see Effen mentioned yet. Very good stuff. The black cherry Effen with Godiva makes a tasty chocolate cherry martini for the gals.

Picked up a bottle of Double Cross today at Specs, haven't tried it yet. They had 4 more bottles if anyone was looking for it.

Definitely Russian Standard!

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Picked up a bottle of Double Cross today at Specs, haven't tried it yet. They had 4 more bottles if anyone was looking for it.

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Downtown Spec's? Price?

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Made in Texas by texans for texans.

I have yet to find ANY product that claims all this and produces a good product........

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May I suggest you acquaint yourself with LaRue Tactical

Linz02: Yes, Downtown/Midtown Specs--$40/bottle

Thanks!

They WILL get them here in CS if that's where you are. Most of the Spec's have them - it's just once they sell out, it comes back in irregularly.

I talked to the stock dude at the Spec's on Rock Prairie - he's like "we get 6 in, 6 go out, we wait..."

I'm guessing it is because they aren't really selling to most liquor stores in TX. I think Spec's started buying/selling in order to sell to Double Cross Lounge in Houston which is why we are a bit ahead of their national distribution plan.

You can also stop by Veritas here in town and buy a DC martini (although they were out the last time I went in).

I'm not normally a huge fan of vodka, but I had one that is absolutely fantastic recently.

It's called Rain, and it's made at the Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery in Frankfort Ky, out of 100% white corn. I was suspicious of a vodka made by a bourbon company, but it was VERY good.

The best way I can describe the taste is 'clean'. It just tastes clean, like cool refreshing water, no aftertaste whatsoever. I checked on the website, and it's available in the major tx cities, but not at every store.

If you find it give it a try, it's not expensive and it's well worth the price.



http://www.rainvodka.com/Find/

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Wine Enthusiast Review
The sweet corn aroma right after the pour is enticing, clean, and soft; aeration further stimulates an appetizing corn-like sweetness. The palate entry is more bittersweet than the aroma, but just as seductive; at midpalate there’s a focused lead-pencil taste that brings the grainy sweetness into check. Finishes sweet, warming and a tad p.rickly. Best Buy.
Score: 90-95. July 01, 2005.

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Edit: inserted period, stupid profanity filter...

[This message has been edited by GregZeppelin (edited 2/9/2012 6:41p).]

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Didn't see Effen mentioned yet. Very good stuff.

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good to know, someone got me a bottle of Effen for my birthday.