Stolichnaya Vodka

What a beautiful aroma this has! It's immediately apparent that this is a wheat-forward vodka as it has that clean, crisp vaguely sweet smell that defines most wheat vodkas but the sharp scent of alcohol is almost missing here as if someone had filtered out that aroma yet retained the strong traces of wheat. Towards the backend of the nose there are some notable spicy notes. Curious, I looked up the base ingredients and found out that this is a wheat & rye vodka. If I had to guess, I'd say this is 70-80% wheat and 20-30% rye based on the smell alone. I'm not sure if there is any official data on this but my impression was wheat with a nice backdrop of rye to keep it interesting. Though easy to miss there's a faint squeezed orange peel scent also present in the mix which I grew quite fond of. Wow is the nose ever misleading! I was expecting it to be a subtle experience with just a bit of a spicy kick towards the end but this quite the opposite, as it displays a rather robust, extremely forward flavor profile. The front palate opens up with quite a burst as the clean, vague sweetness of the wheat undergoes a precarious tug-of-war with the forceful, spicy and assertive rye notes. Around the midpalate both flavors curiously begin to peak without one overtaking the other: the wheat grain becomes more defined as well as a more intense spark of sweetness while the rye spice kicks into full gear but unlike the front palate where the two flavors feel like they're vying for prominence, here they both appear to be going for a common goal, which seems to be to merge with the orange peel of the nose highlighting both the bitterness and sweetness that should entail. I should note here that the midpalate does show the rye more prominently but as stated before, it isn't quite overshadowing the wheat sweetness so much as engaging in a careful duet though I wanted to mention it lest someone think this is a vodka that's remotely mild in nature. Keeping that music metaphor going, the finish is akin to having the spicy rye hit its high notes while the sweet, crisp wheat provides background vocals with the bold rye complementing the mild alcohol kick rather nicely. The finish is a textbook example of how the alcohol isn't necessarily some flaw to be hidden but a potential tool to add some character to the proceedings. I will say though that based on the taste itself, I would guess the composition is closer to 60% wheat and 40% rye. Anymore than that and I fear the wheat would be lost by the grandiose pomp of the rye. Despite the decidedly bold finish Stolichnaya is an elegant performer providing no discernable burn nor itch going down the throat. Much as I described the nose as being clean, the finish too feels expertly done. I did get quite a bit of rye spice in my throat that lingered for quite a while but this is something I would label as a positive much the same as a good hot sauce will leave a mark after it's ingested without that mark being unpleasant. It's funny too because the rye stays on your tongue like a good peppery burst for 6 or so seconds and as it begins to fade away you're left with softer grain deliciousness from the wheat as your throat burns pleasantly from the rye-alcohol mix. The citrus doesn't quite go away either but the best descriptor for it would be almost pulpy in nature. Again, it's quite easy to miss and I didn't notice it until I had grown more accustomed to the sharper flavors. Stoli is quite the experience to savor and mull over. Most of my experience is with American vodkas and this is quite the introduction to more of the Eastern European conceptions of what vodka can be. I've had a few styles kind of like these before but few so expertly crafted let alone this affordable. Unlike other vodkas where I felt like I had to tease out their inner flavors and spirit, Stolichnaya felt more extroverted and ready to be understood by senses. I can see why it's so beloved by vodka connoisseurs and how it can work really well in a vast array of cocktails. By far one of the best options on the market.

As expected of vodka, the nose really isn't there. The palate is surprisingly viscous with a spiciness and surprising lightness to it. There's plenty of grain and some sweetness. There's a bit of herbal earthiness that gives it a bitter flavor that is a bit flat and can taste kind of like rubber, but it isn't too bad. The burn is kind of present throughout, so for anyone wanting that alcohol presence, this is a good choice (as opposed to Chopin Wheat, which goes down like water). Oddly, it has some tequila notes with hints of banana and other tropical fruits, but they're very subtle. The spice is unfortunately quite numbing in a way that makes my tongue feel rough and also reminds me of Sichuan peppercorns. It isn't as rich as Chopin Wheat, but it has some more variety to its flavor. This being vodka and therefore extremely mild, I prefer the hedonistic aspects of Chopin Wheat to the greater complexity of Stolichnaya. Both are good choices though. The alcohol bitterness does unfortunately come through in both, but it isn't too bad. This has more hints of gin with its spicy flavor, which could be good in plenty of mixed drinks, but isn't inherently a virtue. I go back and forth on whether this is as good as Chopin Wheat or not. At the end of the day, this is a great choice of vodka.

Nose - bright grain, mineral water, lemon zest, black pepper, dry herbal and floral notes, vanilla, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - bright grain, green wood, fresh grass, lemon and grapefruit zest, ginger, mineral water, black pepper, coriander, bitter herbal and floral notes, vanilla, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with bright grain, citrus zest, black pepper, and grass flavors. The nose is very grainy, almost chalky. The combination of strong grain and minerality gives it an effervescent quality. Other than that, it’s rather standard with herbal, pepper, and citrus notes. The palate hits strong with more bright graininess. A noteworthy feature is this grassy or fresh woody quality that balances the other flavors nicely. Finally, the consistency is pleasantly oily and thick. Overall, this is solid vodka. It’s neutral, but robust and rather complex. I think it’s about on par with Ketel One. The flavors aren’t quite as strong, but the mouthfeel is better. It’s also $7 cheaper a bottle, so there’s more value here. I’ll be rating this near the top of the pack. And it’s about equal to Jim Beam Original in my mind.

When you first encounter Stoli, you’ll notice classic aromas reminiscent of sourdough wheat bread. These initial scents set the stage for what’s to come. Upon tasting, the vodka offers a smooth experience. You’ll detect flavors of pepper, which add a lively kick, along with a subtle hint of sweet vanilla. The finish is akin to brisk wheat thins—crisp and satisfying. Stoli is now 100% Latvian distilled and bottled. It has transitioned away from its Russian roots and is no longer produced there. The quality of the current Stoli matches that of the original Stolichnaya, which was once distilled and bottled in Russia. Stoli stands out due to its peppery and herbaceous character. It’s not your typical neutral vodka; instead, it has a distinct presence.This uniqueness makes it an excellent choice for both sipping and mixing into cocktails.

#3 in the vodka lineup. More alcohol on the nose than the last few, with some notes of grain. The flavor is quite different though, and surprisingly eccentric for such a classic vodka. Alongside the typical vanilla cream is banana pudding and a grassy note, almost tropical in nature. Average smoothness throughout, right up until the end where some burn contributes to the finish. This is a good fruit-leaning neutral vodka, which would be at home anywhere there is rum and/or pineapple. Character: Grassy banana pudding Smoothness: 3, Overall: 3.5

This vodka is traditional and pure. Danila Bagrov APPROVED! If you want to drink real vodka these are the steps, 1) It has to be made in Russia 2) It has to be Stolichnaya BLYAT! If you are on a budget and want to buy cheap 40% ABV bottles and in same time have authentic quality this is for you. 25,70$ CAD for 750ml bottle of 40% ABV is cheap and good. You can mix it with orange juice or even with coca cola who gives a fuck if it's weird to mix vodka with cola, as long as you enjoy the taste,it shouldn't be a problem.