SKYY Vodka (Discontinued)

Nose: pure grain, mineral water, faint vanilla, indistinct citrus notes, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Palate: sweet grain, lemon peel, vanilla, black pepper, dry herbal notes, mild to moderate alcohol bite, ending quickly with sweet grain, vanilla, and dry spicy, herbal notes. There's not much on the nose, but it has more alcohol fumes than the other brand. It's extremely neutral and has a mineral water quality, with almost undetectable vanilla and citrus notes. The palate is a slight improvement over the other brand, but only slightly. There's no unpleasant papery note, but instead a pleasant, natural grainy vanilla sweetness balanced with some herbal spice and citrus qualities. It finishes very quickly and cleanly, with the same notes found on the palate fading away rapidly. Overall, I appreciate this slightly more than the other brand, but not enough to raise my score. I'd still prefer Jim Beam Original, which I've decided to use as a benchmark to determine if any of the vodkas I try deserve a score above 1.5 from me. For those tracking the scores, this brand is now in the lead, easily surpassing the other brand which has been my go-to vodka for a very long time.

Perhaps a faint mineral scent on the nose, but little else. It possesses more character than Platinum 7X, yet it's also considerably harsher. It's not extremely harsh, but definitely less smooth. There's more sweetness than bitterness, with a pleasant balance of earthy and grainy notes. Occasionally, I detect a subtle fruitiness, though I'm uncertain of its origin, leaning towards citrus. I prefer Platinum 7X, but this is surprisingly capable. The harshness has a clean peppery quality that works. Nothing truly remarkable, but it's quite well-rounded. A solid option. I anticipated a strong chemical taste, but instead, it's a fairly mild, unremarkable vodka with some pleasant but rather indistinct richness and sweetness. There's an odd flavor element I can't quite identify, but it remains a good vodka. The richness here does have a bitterness closer to rubber than Platinum 7X, but there's a touch of fruitiness too. Not bad, but not exceptional.

Aroma: Ethanol. A hint of vanilla, but that's typical for ethanol. Flavor: Ethanol. Initially soft and not harsh, but there's a peppery heat later on. The texture is smooth and slightly oily. Finish: Short. Ethanol. It's inexpensive vodka. What else is there to know? I purchased this because it was the most affordable option at the store when I required a neutral spirit for a batch of limoncello. Had I possessed the time, I would have traveled to a larger retailer and bought Finlandia for $4 less, or Absolut for $4 more. I would not consume this substance straight, even if compensated. "Inferior": 65/100 (1.5 stars)

The palate is neutral, somewhat rich, somewhat sweet, with a peppery edge. The thickness is moderate, as is the harshness. It's a rather good vodka. It's kind of a bland vodka, but I don't mind that. The flavor is clean. There's no pleasant grain character, but it's acceptable. I'm considering a score of 12 to 13 due to its clean flavor. I think I'll raise it to a 13.

Definitely a budget vodka, but it merits more than just being a mixer. It has an oily feel initially and a peppery finish, with a significant ethanol burn in the middle. It's drinkable neat, but not my top pick. Excellent in a Bloody Mary.

Without flavor or scent. Extremely easy to drink. Put your nose in the glass and detect no volatility, almost nothing at all. Ideal for mixing a Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, or even if you prefer an easier shot.