Review: Nemiroff Birch Special Vodka

The Nemiroff Birch Special Vodka is one of the youngest of the Nemiroff flavours. It is advertised on the Nemiroff website as being built upon centuries-old traditions of Ukrainian ‘horilka’ distilling, and the use of high quality natural ingredients. Launched on the Ukrainian market in March, 2005, its recipe includes the light bitterness of birch buds, and the mellow flavour of the linden blossom. Some ingredients used in the blend to apparently trace back to the traditional Kievan Rus recipes of birch-bud-flavoured liquors.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The entry into the mouth is most unexpected based upon the aroma in the glass. Instead of being beguiled by a sweet sugary lemon citrus which carries hints of mildly bitter birch, I taste exactly the opposite. A decidedly bitter birch with overtones of sap leads out with the citrus sweetness trailing far behind…”

You may read the full review here:

The special taste of the Nemiroff Birch Special required me to construct a a new cocktail which I have named, The Blue Thunder Cocktail.

Please enjoy the review of this rather unique flavoured Vodka and the cocktail that follows!

Review: Siku Glacial Ice Vodka

Siku (in Greenland) means ice, and the Siku Glacial Ice Vodka is literally made from ice. The process begins with ice which has calved from Greenland’s  Qalerallit Glacier. This ice is harvested at sea, and then it blended with a five time distilled American (96 % alcohol) grain spirit transforming into Vodka via a proprietor stirring process at minus 25 degrees Celsius in small handcrafted batches. This blending process takes place in the Netherlands where the final spirit is bottled.

I was fortunate enough to be given a bottle of Siku Glacier Ice Vodka by Grant Schneider of Aligra Wine and Spirits. He wanted my opinion, and I thought I should share it here on my blog.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…When I took a shot of the Vodka, I was again impressed by the initial flavour impressions of lemon and lime citrus which were quickly devoured by a growing graininess. The vodka really has some ‘pop’ in the mouth…”

You may read the full review here:

I also included a great new cocktail I call the Blue Glacier.

Please enjoy my review and my new cocktail!

Review: Nemіroff Premіum Lіme Vodka

Nemiroff Premium Lime was introduced to the Nemiroff brand line-up in August of 2006.  According to the Nemiroff website, the Premium Lime Vodka undergoes 10 stages of purification and is additionally polished with the specially prepared absorbent. Additionally, real citrus and lime aromas are used in the production of Nemіroff Premіum Lіme.  The citrus aroma is the first and the most perceptible note of the new drink, it changes gradually into the central note of lime which brings about a subtle, but pleasant lime aftertaste.  As with all of the Nemiroff vodkas, all the ingredients of this  new vodka are completely natural.

I was asked to review the Nemiroff Premium Lime by Igor Kashcan, who is the importer of Nemiroff Vodka here in Alberta, Canada.  Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“…when the Vodka was introduced to my mouth it coated my tongue and my palate with a nice creaminess, but only the flavour of lime was forefront. Lime is a very aggressive flavour, and I suspect that this is why I was not able to detect any other underlying grain  flavours….”

You may read the full review here:

As well, I included a nice recipe which I heartily recommend for the Nemiroff Premium Lime, The De Lurey.

Please enjoy the review and cocktail!

Review: O2 Premium Sparkling Vodka

O2 Premium Sparkling Vodka bills itself as the world’s first Premium Sparkling Vodka. When I sampled this spirit at the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival I was actually quite smitten by what I encountered, hints of citrus, and some 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 contacted the importer of O2 Vodka, Premium Imports, to see about getting a sample to review on my blog. After a few months they came through in spades with samples of each the O2 Premium Sparkling Vodka and the 945 Super Premium Sparkling Vodka.  Both versions have those wonderful champagne-like bubbles. These bubbles are supposed to stimulate the taste-buds accentuating the flavours of food the vodka is served with, and the flavours of the cocktails the vodka is served in.

I invited several of my good friends over for a Vodka Tasting where we put the O2 Premium Sparkling Vodka through the rigors of my review methodolgy.  Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“…The initial aroma from the glass is of a very light citrus, and my initial reaction to the Sparkling Vodka was positive as the first sip covered my tongue….”

You may read the full review here:

As well I have included a new recipe called, The Pomerenke. Please enjoy the review and the new cocktail.

Review: Russian Standard Vodka

Photo Courtesy Of Beam Global - Alberta

The Russian Standard Vodka Company was introduced in 1998 by Russian businessman and entrepreneur,  Roustam Tariko (the owner of Russian  Standard Bank). This is a traditional Russian Vodka made from hardy winter wheat cultivated on the Russian steppes. What is not traditional is that the spirit is quadruple distilled at the company’s distillation and rectification facilities in Saint Petersburg and then blended with the glacial waters from Lake Ladoga (whose waters were chosen for their renowned softness and purity). The Russian Standard Vodka is raised to a final level of  purification using a quadruple charcoal filtering process, and then it is finished in steel ‘resting’ tanks before bottling.

I was given a bottle of  Russian Standard Original Vodka to review on my blog by the Beam Global Team here in my home Province of Alberta. Beam Global is responsible for the sales and distribution of this spirit in my home province and across Canada.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“….An ever so light rye-like warmth teased my palate and my throat in a delightful manner. I noticed no burn at all; however, a slow building warmth seemed to grow in my throat afterwards. My friends all had similar experiences to mine, and we all liked that slow building warmth which followed the shot of vodka…”

You may read the full review here:

As well I have included a cocktail called the Sweet Moscow Mule.

Review: Nemiroff Ukrainian Wheat Vodka

The Nemiroff Ukrainian Wheat Vodka was developed in keeping with Slavic traditions of classical vodka. It is produced from the pure wheat grain spirits and specially prepared pure artesian water. As I read the information on the Nemiroff Website concerning the Ukrainian Wheat Vodka,  I discovered that this particular Nemiroff Vodka is promoted as a high-quality classic vodka which hopes to give the consumer an opportunity to explore its mild wheat bread taste.  This is because the flavour of the Vodka is strengthened by aromatic extracts of freshly baked ‘palyanytsia’ wheat bread.

It is with this in mind that I began my exploration of the Ukrainian Wheat Vodka. Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The spirit is very creamy at this temperature, and it coats the palate with a slightly buttery mouth feel. There is very little flavour although I did detect an indistinct impression of fresh sweet-bread dough. As I swallowed the first sip of the wheat Vodka, I did not feel any appreciable burn but there was a slight aftertaste of bread dough and starch…”

You may read the full review here:

I also added two traditional Vodka cocktails to my cocktails section today, The Screwdriver, and the Harvey Wallbanger.

Review: Nemiroff Original Vodka

The Nemiroff’ Vodka Company introduced the Nemiroff Original Vodka in 1999, and it is now available in over 25 countries world-wide. The Vodka is wheat based and (according to the Nemiroff website) includes the addition of the caraway seeds, and honey in its production. I was given a sample bottle by Igor Kashkan, the local Importer of Nemiroff. I was told by Igor that although this vodka is not labeled as a Premium Vodka, the company believes that their Nemiroff  Original is an outstanding product nonetheless.

In evaluating the spirit I held an informal gathering at my residence, where four friends and I put the spirit through the paces of my review methodolgy. We tried as best we could to observe the rituals and traditions of an old-fashioned Vodka tasting.  Here is an excerpt from our observations:

“…The first full swallow (shot) was very pleasing. The Vodka slid down my throat feeling lightly creamy and very smooth. I did not notice any initial burn in my throat; but a few seconds after the Vodka was swallowed, the back of my mouth was warmed, and a light burn began to develop in my throat. Only ghostly indistinguishable flavours were apparent…”

You may read the full review here:

As well, the review includes a recipe for a favourite Vodka Cocktail of mine, The Pink Pussy Cat.

Please enjoy the review!

Review: Wyborowa Exquisite (Wodka)

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:

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

Vodka Review: Nemiroff Rye Honey Vodka

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:

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

Please enjoy the review!!

Vodka Review: Crystal Head Vodka

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:

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!!