Smirnoff Rules.... Review on Smirnoff Vodka

I teach about alcoholic beverages for a living. Ever since I joined Mouthshut I have tried my best to not give in to the temptation of writing about them, lest I might sound like a lecturer and I know no one likes to be lectured to. But despite all my efforts here I go folks, with my first review on an alcoholic beverage:

Vodka

In the world of potable alcohol, Vodka is the closest you can get to perfection. It is the closest one can get to drinking pure alcohol. A category of distilled spirits that is made from any starchy substance ranging from grains, vegetables (Potatoes), fruits, molasses (byproduct of the sugar industry and chief raw material for RUM) or even bread; Vodka is rectified (process of removing any impurities or undesirable elements, using heat) and even filtered (sometimes through tons of charcoal) to arrive at an almost neutral spirit. This is then watered down and balanced with some un-rectified spirit to give it some distinctive characters.

Vodka has for long been known as a ladies drink (now I hope that no one will write a review accusing men of having kept the flavored drinks to themselves and left the women with a non-flavored one). The main reason in my opinion for this categorization is that during times when social drinking was not considered as fashionable amongst women, vodka was the perfect drink for the adventurous lady, as it could be easily masked by addition of any fruit juice or soft drink.

Smirnoff:

Simply put Smirnoff is Russian Revolution’s gift to the US and through US the world. The Smirnov family that fled from Russia during the revolution established a few distilleries in some parts of Europe and the US. It was the US venture that went through several takeovers and still weathered the storm to emerge as the market leader as on today. The rights for distilling Smirnoff, today rests with International Distillers and Vintners (IDV, who also hold rights for brands like Gilbey’s ).

A grain vodka that is rectified twice (Vodka like Absolut are rectified thrice), Smirnoff banks on its image of being pure. It is filtered through activated charcoal to achieve this purity. Also the water used in Smirnoff is of great purity, which contributes to the final product.

Types of Smirnoff

Red Label: The flag ship product that is the single largest selling vodka in the world. It ranges between 37.5% to 40% alcohol by volume. This version is very mellow and excellent base for cocktails.

Blue Label: The stronger version of Smirnoff, that ranges between 45% to 50% alcohol by volume. This is for the vodka fans who would love their drink to “hit” them.

Black label: This vodka is Smirnoff’s tribute to Russia, a traditional vodka, made using the technique used in 1800s, Copper pot still and filtered through Charcoal made from silver birch tree, this is a mellow vodka, that shows hints of stronger flavor than the above two varieties. Usually around 40% alcohol by volume.

Silver label: I have only heard about this type from reliable sources, never had the opportunity to try it out. I am told that it is about 45.2% alcohol by volume. I will stop at that as I do not know anything more about this.

How it compares to competition:

Indian brands of competing Vodkas are almost a no competition to Smirnoff. Romanov the next choice is a harsher beverage and comes at a much cheaper price, usually its best to be used in a cocktail rather than drunk by itself. Karmazov comes in an attractive bottle but there ends its positives. Smirnoff rules, with its mellowness and purity. It costs that extra bit too.

Internationally though Smirnoff has to fight of serious challenge posed by Absolut (the best brand when it comes to flavored vodkas) Stolichnaya, Celsius, Finlandia etc. If your choice is drinking a Vodka that is pure (almost flavorless), then Smirnoff is the best. But if you are the type that prefers a little flavor then you chose any of the other that is mentioned above.

Some interesting facts about Smirnoff:

Smirnoff or for that matter Vodka was not a fashionable drink. In fact it was considered a poor man’s drink while the connoisseurs enjoyed Scotch, Bourbon or Cognac. The earliest of Smirnoff campaigns went something like “Smirnoff white whisky. No taste No smell”. There are several stories about how Smirnoff became popular. One of them is aptly called the “Cock and Bull Story”. This is because it is traced back to a bar by the name “Cock and Bull Bar”. The owners in this bar were confronted with huge stocks of Smirnoff and Ginger beer. In an attempt to clear their stocks, they came up with a cocktail that included these two beverages, served in a copper cup and called it “Moscow Mule”. This cocktail was a big hit and the popularity of Smirnoff as a good mixer rose. Vodka today is one of the most sought after cocktail base, for obvious reasons.

Smirnoff is one of the few brands of vodka that has tried to bank on its “Lack of Character” through the ages. While other leading brands extensively marketed flavored Vodka, Smirnoff extensively campaigned for its Purity.

Serving Smirnoff:

Smirnoff is best drunk chilled. It can be served on the rocks (on ice cubes) or with a mixer (fruit juice or soft drink). Citrus fruit based drinks are often considered the best option. In cold countries, when its snowing Smirnoff can be drunk neat (as in without Ice or mixer).

Cocktails and Smirnoff are almost inseparable. Bloody Mary( Vodka + Tomato Juice+ Tabasco Sauce + Worcestershire Sauce + Lime juice+ Salt + Pepper in a salt rimmed Rolly-Polly glass, with a celery stick) is rumored to be one of the largest selling cocktails in the world. Vodkatini (Vodka and Vermouth in the ratio 6:1 garnished with an olive), Screwdriver (Vodka on ice in a tall glass filled with Orange juice), Black Russian (Vodka + Kahlua) are all popular Vodka cocktails…. The list is almost endless.

Drinking Smirnoff:

It is becoming fashionable to “Shoot Vodka” than sip it which was the traditional Polish or Russian way to drink it. In cold climates that exist in these countries Vodka was an excellent way to keep the body warm. But today’s Smirnoff drinkers just prefer to down it at one shot (called shooting), the reason being Smirnoff does not have any fine flavors like the exquisite whiskies or brandies that needs to be savored.

Smirnoff and Food..??

Salted and pickled food (Zakuski – Russian appetizers) and Russian pancakes (blinis) are a good hit with Smirnoff. As for rest of the world cuisine is concerned Smirnoff goes off well with any Sour cream preparation, Fish preparations with a strong sauce and Cheese or cheese based food. Incase you are looking for a Vodka with desserts then I would suggest Gold-Wasser for its digestive properties.

Smirnoff can be used as a marinade (a liquid mixture in which meat, fish or vegetables are soaked for flavor before cooking) and for Flambé (Serving a food flaming, usually done with Brandy or Rum), if you want alcohol but can not stand the taste of it.

THE ONLY THING VODKA DOESNOT MIX WITH --- IS DRIVING

NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE