Sobieski Vodka

Vodka isn't usually my thing; I don't find it particularly engaging. That changed recently after I made a Cajun Martini. My wife and I have probably consumed more vodka in the past month (since we first prepared this cocktail) than in the year prior! It's no wonder this inspired me to examine vodka more closely. Let's clarify what a Cajun Martini is. The full details are here - [link]. To make a 750ml batch: place 450ml of vodka in a container with a large, ripe, fresh jalapeno. Wash the pepper, then split it cleanly in half from tip to stem with a single cut. Let the pepper infuse the vodka for about 6 to 8 hours. Remove the pepper and bottle the infused vodka. Add 175ml of Martini & Rossi dry vermouth (this version has a hint of oregano that some dislike in a Martini, but it works perfectly here, in my opinion). Add 100 to 125 ml of distilled water to the batch and keep it in the freezer. Serve in a chilled glass with a spicy pickle garnish. We've made this drink using Smirnoff Blue, Sobieski, and Luksusowa so far. To better understand each vodka's character, we also tasted them neat and neat after chilling in the freezer. Here are our impressions of the Sobieski. This is a Polish vodka made from rye. A friend who enjoys vodka martinis suggested it, preferring it over Tito's. Tasting them side-by-side, I agreed; while Tito's had a subtle lemon citrus note, the Sobieski offered superior "roundness". On the nose, this vodka had a very faint citrus hint. While Sobieski lacked the prominent ethanol scent of Smirnoff Blue, it was still potent. My wife described it as "very sharp". Like the other vodkas tested, the intensely cold freezer pour yielded no aroma beyond slight alcohol. On the palate, this vodka reinforced its sharpness with a distinct bite. The citrus was present, but overshadowed by the aggressive, peppery character from the vodka's rye origin. The mouthfeel was rich, though not quite as much as Luksusowa. The frozen sample felt very thick and rich, finishing silky smooth with a slight bitterness. Sobieski complements Luksusowa, but the distinctions are minor. My wife favored the Smirnoff when tasted neat, with Luksusowa second. I had the opposite preference, ranking Luksusowa first and Smirnoff second. However, we both concluded that Sobieski produced the best Cajun Martini. The challenge here is our limited data, having prepared only three batches with Sobieski and one each with Smirnoff and Luksusowa. The differences might be due to variations in the peppers, which heavily mask the vodka distinctions. Yet, we both felt the Sobieski contributed a sweeter, "greener," and more vegetal profile to the mixed drink, and we've enthusiastically enjoyed every batch (along with chips and salsa). I like and endorse Sobieski vodka. It's highly mixable, great in a Vesper, excellent in a Cajun Martini, and at least acceptable in all other vodka uses I can imagine. I won't become a vodka enthusiast and I doubt I'll keep more than a couple of bottles on hand for cocktails. That said, I now have a reason to pay a little more attention to these bottles; we'll be drinking much more vodka as the sweet, vegetal freshness and mild chili heat of the Cajun Martini keeps us entertained by the pool for the foreseeable future.

I'm almost out of this bottle, so I decided to review it before finishing it. As I've mentioned before, vodka isn't a spirit I often choose, and I likely can't discern all the subtle differences, but some seem better than others, and this one, especially for the price, is a pretty good deal. The aroma is clean, and I only detect the faintest hint of lemon peel. The first taste offers a hint of rye and a touch of sweetness. It's very light, not oily, with some lemon peel coming through near the end. The finish is actually a bit longer than I anticipated for a vodka, with very little heat. I'd say, for a vodka, it's actually quite good neat. I'm not going to suggest you ditch the scotch for this, but I've had much worse. The fact that you can get this for under $15 makes it a bargain. If you enjoy vodka cocktails or drinking vodka neat, I'm not sure there are many superior options. Absolut is probably a bit more intriguing and costs about the same, but this is a close second. If you're willing to spend a bit more, Ketel One is a solid choice, but I would pick this over Grey Goose any day.

I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this vodka before, having finished several bottles without any disappointment. While some reviews mention inconsistent quality control, I seem to have been lucky with my bottles. At room temperature, the nose has a faint ethanol scent, but it disappears when chilled. Once poured, there's a subtle sweetness in the aroma, though its source is unclear. Despite being 80 proof, it goes down very smoothly with minimal burn when cold. It makes a very satisfying Vodka Tonic and is an excellent choice for a Vesper Martini. My only significant drawback with this brand is its common availability in 1.75L bottles in my region, which is too large for my current bar setup. I'm always seeking smaller bottles, but we all face challenges. The price in my area ranges from $9 to $12 per fifth, making it a solid addition to my collection. However, with many other excellent vodkas at a similar price point but without the reputation for occasional subpar batches, I might not repurchase it. Time will tell.

The cashier at the local state store recommended this to me. After telling me the history of this brand, I decided to give it a try based on the price. It has been our go-to ever since. If you can get over the fact that it comes in a plastic bottle and a half gallon is approximately $20, you have to give this vodka a try. Kettle One is my preferred, but candidly, this is finding its way into my liquor cabinet more often than not.

Sobieski vodka's quality has varied over the years, from excellent to poor. Neutral grain ethanol and mountain air with a hint of mint rise to the nose now. The entry is sweet with vanilla and pepper. The finish has a burst of grain ethanol and vanilla. It is drinkable neat but not as a mixer due to the sweet vanilla notes. The fluctuating quality now places it in the bottom shelf.

Consumed in The Love Bug cocktail (vodka, strawberry, honey, lemon, sparkling wine). Smelled of watermelon and citrus. The strawberry and lemon flavors clashed. A lemon finish with a faint strawberry lingering taste. @ Alamo Draft House Highland