Russian
Standard Vodka
By
George Brozowski
The
black label with the large Cyrillic letters on the frosty white
bottle proudly proclaimed "Russian Standard" vodka
and, oh yes, it also indicated it was 80 proof and distilled
and bottled in Russia. This was a quite simple, straightforward
and no nonsense approach and as practical as wearing Ermine
in Siberia on a cold winter's day. Quite "Russian"
I mused. I wonder what they really meant by "standard"?
Could it be the standard by which all others are judged or was
it the standard drink of Russia? There was only one practical
way to tell for sure.
Upon
opening a bottle of anything I immediately stick my nose into
the neck of the bottle to get a concentrated blast of the scent.
This product produced virtually nothing. It was very clean with
a slight trace of ethanol. The same could be said for the shot
I poured, a clean nothing.
The
first sip I took continued along this line. There really was
no taste, no bitterness, no sting, no tingle, no nothing. It
slid quietly and calmly down my throat leaving me feeling a
warm nothing. However it was very, very smooth which made me
think of the word Super rather than Standard.
Under
U.S. and European law "vodka must not have any distinctive
aroma, character, color or flavor". This vodka has successfully
met and even exceeded that criteria.
For
around, or even less than $20.00 for 750ml this vodka is as
good as or better than super premiums costing up to and over
twice the price. I guess they meant this was the "Standard"
by which all others are judged.
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