Reyka Vodka

Rating: 16/23 Nose: Not much detected. It's a vodka. I do get a little bit of earthiness though. Palate: Fairly smooth. There's an interesting earthy presence to this and a bit of pepper with a hint of cinnamon. Perhaps something a dash grassy. It's all quite subtle though. It's an interestingly different vodka and I kind of dig it. It's mostly neutral, but it has some funk in a way that is less aggressive than Kirkland's French Vodka. Side-by-side with Russian Standard, this comes off as substantially more refined and less harsh. It's hard to guess what this is made with. It doesn't have the same decadent character as Beluga Noble, but it also isn't as harsh. The mellowness and balance here are really effective. Ocean is richer, but this has more going on. Chopin Wheat has this richer yet more refreshing character to it. Finish: A little drying. Kind of earthy with a little bit of alcohol vapor, faint remnants of the spices, and a tiny suggestion of lemon. - Conclusion - This one really blew me away (by vodka standards). It's a refined expression. Based on my side-by-siding, I think that this is probably a hair better than Ocean, but not quite as good as Chopin Wheat. I currently have both of those at 16, though I could imagine Ocean being a high 15 and Chopin being a low 17. This being in the middle, it earns a 16. What a find! This isn't a budget vodka, but it isn't one that costs a ton either. It's priced similarly to Chopin Wheat, but they're pretty different beasts and they're cheap enough that you can just get one of each.

I'm on my second bottle of this very good to exceptional vodka. I've been really impressed with how easily I can drink this straight and how nicely it blends with other ingredients for fantastic drinks. I purchased my first bottle a while ago on a business trip for around $13 or $14, and the second bottle I acquired at my local shop on sale for $20. At that price point, it's incredible. On the nose, I detect a slight sweetness, almost a gentle smell of sweet grain bread. The body is typical vodka with almost no flavor, and even at room temperature, there's very little ethanol burn. There's a hint of sweetness in the finish, or perhaps it's just my perception, but the liquid is smooth. I've created several cocktails with this, and they've all been excellent. I've made Vodka Martinis with Dolin Dry and Noilly Prat Extra Dry that were superb at a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio. It makes a WONDERFUL Vesper Martini with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin, Sutlers, or Fords and Cocchi Americano, plus, Gimlets, Harvey Wallbangers, and Screwdrivers. This is an outstanding vodka and one I'll keep in my regular rotation as long as the price remains accessible. Enjoy!

I was eagerly anticipating trying this. Vodka isn't typically my go-to, so it's not surprising that Reyka isn't my absolute favorite either, but it's still a quite decent vodka. Nose: Intense ethanol presence, with little else noticeable. Taste: A very pure mineral flavor, accompanied by a faint, subtle hint of sweet citrus. It has a surprisingly full body. Finish: Remains clean initially, followed by a strong burn, and then concludes with some warm, peppery undertones. Overall, it's not particularly remarkable; manage your expectations. However, I must admit, the contrast between the potent burn and the remarkably smooth mouthfeel was unexpected. Furthermore, the bottle itself is aesthetically pleasing, making it a welcome addition to my collection. Nevertheless, I would suggest other vodkas before this one. Absolut Vodka is significantly more affordable and offers comparable quality, and there are certainly better options in a similar price bracket, such as Tito's or Chopin. That being said, its clean profile makes it a suitable choice for many cocktails, serving as an excellent base. However, I wouldn't recommend it for a Vodka Martini due to the pronounced burn.

The aroma offers chalky grain, sweet oat, black pepper, mineral water, dry herbal notes, lemon pith, and a moderate ethanol burn. The taste presents chalky grain, lemon and grapefruit zest, mineral water, black pepper, sweet oat and honey, dry herbal and floral notes, with a mild to moderate alcohol bite. The finish is medium short, featuring soft grain, sweet oat, and citrus zest flavors. The nose has a touch more ethanol than I prefer, but it carries the same chalky grain quality I enjoy in vodkas such as Russian Standard and Stoli. Additionally, pleasant oat and subtle honey notes are present, likely from the barley used in the distillate. I don't believe I favor this as much as Ketel One and Stoli, but it's comparable to Russian Standard for me, though less austere and with more fruit forwardness on the palate. This is a solid vodka, performing about the same as Jim Beam Original in my opinion.

Reyka Vodka presents aromas of spices and citrus zest with a subtle vanilla undertone. The initial taste is smooth with vanilla and grapefruit, leading to a finish of spices and hot peppers. Reyka Vodka is excellent served straight or in cocktails.

I believe Reyka is excellent. It has a very robust, fresh taste that is unique. Fantastic served neat over ice with a citrus wedge. A strong flavor profile! For vodka martinis, however, I prefer a smoother spirit like Kettel One, Beluga, Tito's, or Stoli Elite.