Luksusowa Vodka

Vodka is not my usual drink. It's not that I dislike it, but I never found it particularly engaging. This changed recently when I prepared a Cajun Martini. My partner and I have probably consumed more vodka in the past month (since we first prepared this cocktail) than in the entire year prior! It's no wonder I felt compelled to examine vodka more closely. Let's first define a Cajun Martini. You can find the full details here - https://www.liquor.com/cajun-martini-cocktail-recipe-5218591 In brief, to make a 750ml batch: place 450ml of vodka in a container with a large, ripe, fresh jalapeño. Wash the pepper, then split it in half lengthwise with a single cut from stem to end. Allow the pepper to infuse the vodka for approximately 6 to 8 hours. Remove the pepper and bottle the infused vodka. Add 175ml of Martini & Rossi dry vermouth (this particular vermouth has a subtle oregano note that some find unappealing in a Martini, but it works perfectly here, in my opinion). Mix in 100 to 125 ml of distilled water into the batch and keep it in the freezer. Serve in a chilled glass with a spicy pickle as the garnish. So far, I've batched this drink using Smirnoff Blue, Sobieski, and Luksusowa. To better understand the characteristics of each vodka, I also tasted them neat and chilled in the freezer. Here are my impressions of the Luksusowa. The aroma had a slightly sweet, somewhat earthy quality. This is a potato vodka, and perhaps it's psychological, but I perceived less of a sharp chemical scent compared to the Smirnoff Blue from the same side-by-side tasting. There was an alcoholic note in the aroma, but it wasn't nearly as pungent as the Smirnoff, though I wouldn't describe it as fragrant by any means. As with the other vodkas evaluated, the ice-cold freezer pour offered almost no scent. On the palate, this vodka maintained its earthy, slightly sweet character. The texture was richer, more oily than either the Sobieski or the Smirnoff, especially in the chilled sample. It had a smooth finish, leaving a subtly sweet impression that quickly faded into a mild bitterness. I would still classify it as neutral, but similar to how alabaster white is considered neutral, not as sterilely neutral as arctic white. My partner favored the Smirnoff as her top pick from the three when tasted neat, with the Luksusowa in second place. I had the opposite preference, selecting the Luksusowa first and the Smirnoff second. When it comes to the Cajun Martini, things got interesting as we both preferred the Sobieski! More on that in the upcoming review of that brand. I can endorse this vodka, and I suspect it might be the one I'd enjoy most in a traditional vodka martini (a 5:1 ratio, a dash of orange bitters, garnished with a twist). While very subtle, it possesses a touch of character that makes it intriguing. Additionally, it provides an affordable way to compare a potato vodka against a rye vodka and a multi-grain vodka (with potentially more to come). I'm not about to become a vodka enthusiast, and I doubt I'll ever keep more than a couple of bottles on hand for cocktails. However, I now have a renewed interest in paying more attention to these spirits; we'll be drinking a lot more vodka as the sweet, fresh vegetal notes and mild capsaicin heat of the Cajun Martini provide enjoyable poolside refreshment for the foreseeable future.

A very inexpensive Polish vodka, but it has its good points, and for the cost, the value is hard to beat. The aroma has a bit of charcoal. The taste is starchy and oily, with some of the ethanol present. The finish has a metallic quality, with pepper and a slight burn. For something so cheap, you would expect many flaws, and while it's not perfect, the metallic notes on the finish aren't enough to say it's not worth keeping on hand for cocktails at the very least. Plus, for just over $10, the price is difficult to surpass.

Consumed straight. This might seem unusual for inexpensive vodka. The aroma has a noticeable absence of sharp ethanol, offering an earthy/salty scent reminiscent of mineral water. The taste is smooth and full-bodied. It's rich, rounded, subtly sweet, slightly moldy, with a mild drying, bitter, tonic-like finish. While likely not the premier vodka available, this potato vodka, at this cost, is very drinkable and intriguing, earning a significant boost for its worth. Fans of a gin and tonic would likely appreciate it; everyone else would probably be content using it as a mixer.

I'm a bourbon/rye devotee, but I'm also a vodka snob. Kettle One has always been my preferred vodka, mainly for Bloody Marys or grapefruit crushes, with Stoli or Finlandia as my backups. A few weeks ago, I was in a hurry, and an older gentleman store owner suggested this vodka. Since I was rushed, I just went with it, hoping it would be good enough. I'm very impressed. This is genuinely good. I sipped it neat several times to verify. It has a surprisingly smooth finish (much better than Tito's). This is my new go-to vodka.

An excellent Polish potato vodka that is very budget-friendly. The finish is a bit rough, but it delivers that characteristic potato vodka mouthfeel and excellent neutrality. There's a slight bitterness at the end, but it's almost unnoticeable as you drink. A hidden gem at only $11-14 per 750ml. I truly enjoy it in this vodka martini recipe: 3 oz Luksusowa + 1/2 oz Lillet Blanc + 1 dash of Orange bitters. Stir with ice, strain, and enjoy. Fantastic.

Smells quite earthy with a hint of herbs. It has a full body and an oily texture on the palate. The taste is fairly neutral, but an earthy note persists throughout, becoming a little more vegetal as it finishes. A decent warmth hits on the midpalate and the finish, which is only marginally mellowed by a cooler temperature. 2.25/5.00 – Average (neat)