Calling all connoisseurs of spirits

[lizzie]

Not the other-worldly spirits, but the world of drinking spirits. Haha

I am not a big drinker as a general rule, except that I enjoy a good margarita or two whenever the mood strikes.

I am, however, interested in making wines, liqueurs, and fermented fruits and/or juices.

Some of my recipes call for various spirits, usually either vodka or rum, but I really don't know much about determining the quality of either. I know that SOME products can be cheap (price-wise), but still be very good, and others may be expensive, but not that impressive. As a good example, Aldi stores and (iirc) Costco have had various cheap products that they sell make it into the upper leagues in the world of spirits, and were considered excellent quality (Iirc, these were wine varieties).

Anyway, in the world of vodka and rum, what are your recommendations for good products which are medium to low priced?
I don't mind buying expensive products if they will be used for mixing a cocktail or for shots or sipping, but I just can't see putting an expensive bottle of rum or vodka in a liqueur product.

[Chris USA]

THIS will be a good thread,.... me thinks. Forewarned,... I have made beer, wine and shine (fuel use only,..of course),.... so I will be watching replies. 

[Motorhead]

Ever thought about MEAD ?

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrUi6aaGgJgy0YAXykPxQt.;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1610779418/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.healthline.com%2fnutrition%2fmead/RK=2/RS=tPYaLP_sF23_kbuwxySpkEy49GM-

[lizzie]

Ever thought about MEAD ?

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrUi6aaGgJgy0YAXykPxQt.;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1610779418/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.healthline.com%2fnutrition%2fmead/RK=2/RS=tPYaLP_sF23_kbuwxySpkEy49GM-

Actually, I have a recipe for mead, two half gallons of honey to use for it, and I haven't tried making it yet!
About 2 years ago, I worked with a young man who used to make it, and it was EXCELLENT! He gave me the recipe, and hopefully, I can remember what I have done with it. LOL

[lizzie]

THIS will be a good thread,.... me thinks. Forewarned,... I have made beer, wine and shine (fuel use only,..of course),.... so I will be watching replies. 

Good! Hopefully, you will enjoy it, and get something FROM it.
I am not gutsy enough to try distilling- a bit afraid of the old tales of going blind from moonshine.

[RBQChicken]

Platinum vodka. 7 times distilled. Comes in Cobalt blue bottles.  When I first discovered it, they must have been trying to get a foothold in the vodka market as a newcomer because a Woodman's grocery in Green Bay, WI had 1.75 ml bottles for $13 with a $10 rebate.  That's right, it ended up costing me $3.

That might have been 10 years ago.  It's more normally priced now, but still on the low side, especially for a vodka that I can not distinguish from Abolut.

[lizzie]

Thank you Randy! I don't think I've seen that one on the shelves...maybe I've just missed it- but I will give it a try.

[mobilehomer]

[lizzie]

LOLOLOL!

[BillK]

With a 70+ yr old pallet I don't taste much difference in Vodka so cheap Popov is as good as Absolut.  Meyer's dark Jamaican rum is a tasty sipper & if you like it a good mixer. 
Seems like I sip/drink more now then mix.
You can't  be a wimp & while growing old.

[rsterne]

If you can taste Vodka, there is something wrong with it!.... Every time I see a taste test, inevitably the winner is lab-grade ethanol mixed with distilled water.... 

I have a bottle of Rum here that was a gift from a guest, "Mount Gay 1703 XO Reserve Cask Rum", and it's pretty decent, but not worth the price compared to more common brands, IMO.... The only "rum" I find smooth enough to drink straight or on the rocks is "Yukon Hootch", which is made from Molasses.... 

If you want to try making your own liquers, you can soak fruit in vodka for a month or two, strain and then sweeten to taste.... I make my own "Shambord" from Raspberries, and it's better than the real stuff (Chambord) which is $50 a bottle here in Canada....

Bob

[lizzie]

With a 70+ yr old pallet I don't taste much difference in Vodka so cheap Popov is as good as Absolut.  Meyer's dark Jamaican rum is a tasty sipper & if you like it a good mixer. 

You can't  be a wimp & while growing old.

You know, I have seen the dark rum on the store shelf, and may even have a bottle of it here, unopened! LOL

About that last statement- most definitely true!

[lizzie]

If you can taste Vodka, there is something wrong with it!.... Every time I see a taste test, inevitably the winner is lab-grade ethanol mixed with distilled water.... 

I have a bottle of Rum here that was a gift from a guest, "Mount Gay 1703 XO Reserve Cask Rum", and it's pretty decent, but not worth the price compared to more common brands, IMO.... The only "rum" I find smooth enough to drink straight or on the rocks is "Yukon Hootch", which is made from Molasses.... 

If you want to try making your own liquers, you can soak fruit in vodka for a month or two, strain and then sweeten to taste.... I make my own "Shambord" from Raspberries, and it's better than the real stuff (Chambord) which is $50 a bottle here in Canada....

Bob

On the vodka, I don't really noticed  a difference in taste, as much as a difference in "burn", and some of it really burns going down. lol

Thanks for that tip on the vodka-soaked fruit. That sounds tasty!
I actually have a bottle of fermented grapes here I found when cleaning in the closet a few days ago, and I am thinking of getting some seltzer water and using it for summer spritzers.

Oh- and fermented plums.....I found a recipe a couple of years ago for an Eastern European holiday drink made from fermented plums and brandy. It was really good!...but I am out of it right now.

[jimbo]

I'm like you Lizzie not a big drinker as a general rule, I only drink when I'm with someone  or by myself.

[lizzie]

I'm like you Lizzie not a big drinker as a general rule, I only drink when I'm with someone  or by myself.

Haha lol! Funny!!!

[ssbn617]

The thing about vodka is how it is filtered. The more the better. It’s been awhile since I left the industry but most domestic vodka was produced using the same mash. It was shipped to distillers were water ( quality counts) was added and the filtered, again the more the better, also different filter meant higher quality. I used to sell vodka that started out the same but the price went up with the amount of filtration for each batch along with a different label .
I hope I did not remember incorrectly.
Mitch

[Chris USA]

Many people do not realize that (every) spirit in a liquor store was clear when/after distilled. The coloring and flavorings are added. It can be natural color, like whiskey aged in wood barrels,.. sometimes charred,.. or fake food coloring and flavors.

Gin is most often clear and perfumed with natural herbs that is done as the steam/distillate passes through an herb chamber. Quite like a aromatic refined vodka.

I prefer Vodka straight with beer on the side. Korski brand, which is cheap but I find suits my taste. I like a bit of "bite" but find it smooth. I have had some expensive stuff that was very smooth and almost tasteless. I had some Smirnoff one time and thought it was awful.

Clear is often better than colored for any ill after effects. Mixers can put the hurt on you. Good shine is great. Definite corn notes. Did some peach shine one time with just peaches, some sugar and yeast. Came out crystal clear and smelled very strongly of peaches. OH MY how wonderful that was!

The first stuff off a run will be close to 200 proof and the more you run it, the lower it gets. You can run it down to around 50-60 proof and then blend the low with the high. Put a teaspoon full on a saucer and light it. Lights = 100 proof plus. Does not light = less than 100 proof. Always diluted to 100 proof. Good 100 will go down like a 60 proof. Anyone that drinks first/early run shine (near 200 proof) is just plain stupid. 

Making any of the 3 (beer, wine, shine) is a labor of love. I do not do any of it any more,... but do still imbibe. It was all great fun at the time and of course there will be the moment when you ask yourself,... "Now,.. what am I going to do with all of THIS?"      

[Wepster]

Here is a link to a Limoncello recipe our friends tried and said was very good. They said they tried with vodka but the Everclear was much better. By the way this guy is local to us in Central New York, the family has had a resturant here for years.



Years ago we did an apricot liquor, https://www.food.com/recipe/apricot-liqueur-101353

[K_sqrd]

Years ago, we made both Orangecello and Almondcello with Everclear. Tasted great! We also put Craisins in inexpensive
vodka and let it steep for a several weeks. Truth be told, I forgot about it. LOL! That was good stuff. My wife then used
some of the infused Craisins in her banana nut bread. That was really tasty. 

[Ronno6]

More of a beer & bourbon guy, myself.......