So I see lots of repeated questions on this subreddit about vodka quality and what is and isn't good. I've spent many many years giving talks and training bartenders on the history of Vodka and how to make perfect Vodka Martinis, and spent a few years working for a major Vodka brand. For transparency sake, I used to work for Belvedere. I no longer do and haven't for a while now so I am giving an unbiased opinion below.

Here's my Vodka 101 guide.

Firstly, vodka quality. Vodka was invented in Poland. Russia disputes this claim, and as a result Vodka is the national drink of both nations. In both of these nations, Vodka quality is protected by very strict laws on methods, ingredients and production techniques. The law is strictest in Poland, but as a result, even budget vodka from either country is guarenteed to be of a high quality.

You cannot add artificial ingredients, sweeteners, flavourings etc. Even the water used is regulated.

In the rest of Europe, the laws get slightly more relaxed, and in the US, basically anything goes as the definition of Vodka in the US is very loose.

Secondly, what the vodka is made from, changes the taste, and the mouth feel of the vodka hugely. This is very important. You should be able to taste what the vodka is made from, and the flavour should linger. The liquid should taste full and cling to the inside of the mouth.

While vodka can, technically, be made from anything that ferments, it is traditionally made with either Wheat, Rye, or Potato. All three have very different flavour profiles and mouth feels. Super cheap vodka will be made with "Mixed Grain". I always recommend avoiding mixed grain as it's never made clear what grain, and in what ratios the grains are used. Mixed Grain vodka tends to be harsher.

Some basic tasting notes:

Wheat: Black Pepper, Aniseed, White Bread.

Rye: Biscuit, White Pepper, Dark Bread, Vanilla.

Potato: Butter, White Bread, Cream.

Number of distillations also mostly doesn't matter. It's mainly a marketing tool. Vodka brands that boast about how many times their spirit is distilled are relying on this to trick you into thinking that just because it's distilled so many times, that it makes it better. It doesn't. The quality of the ingredients makes the biggest difference.

Price also doesn't matter. There are top vodka brands that taste like garbage and small budget vodkas that are made fantastically and taste phenomenal. Judge a Vodka on its tasting notes and it's mouth feel. Also see how open a brand is about it's methods and ingredients. If they're withholding their techniques or ingredients, there's probably a reason.

Keep your vodka cold! Your vodka should be kept in the freezer, or in a very cold refrigerator. This makes the vodka thicker and helps to prolong the flavour as it clings to your mouth and tongue. It shouldn't freeze. If it's less than 40% ABV, then avoid the freezer.

My personal favourites.

Chopin. Poland. Comes in wheat, rye, and potato variations, this is my very favourite. The potato and rye versions in my opinion are unbelievable.

Belvedere. Poland. The best in it's price range. Made from Rye, the mouth feel is long lasting, smooth and with a good amount of flavour. Fantastic vodka. Their single estate vodkas are also amazing if you want to spend a little more.

Beluga. Russia. My favourite wheat based vodka, this is high quality and again has a great mouth feel. The Transatlantic version is also fantastic.

Luksusowa. Poland. A great budget Polish vodka. Potato based, silky and thick, this is often overlooked and really shouldn't be. Half the price of a premium vodka but with all quality of a more expensive brand.

Sobieski. Poland. Another fantastic budget Polish brand. Made from the same Rye as Belvedere, the taste isn't too dissimilar at roughly half the price.

Reyka. Iceland. Lovely, clean and fresh, this is a great vodka. I will happily drink this neat.

Chase Naked. UK. Bizarrely made from apples. But done very well. Light, fresh and citrus notes with a lovely peppery note.

Riga Black. Latvia. Small batch and filtered through Charcoal, you can really taste the spice and big peppery notes. Very different, but a long finish and a great mouth feel. Not for everyone, but I love this when I want something with a big kick.

Russian Standard Platinum. Russia. Another fantastic vodka from Russia. Even the standard issue is good for the price.

Wyborowa. Poland. Another great budget Polish vodka. Rye again, it's a great alternative to Belvedere at a fraction of the price. Their Exquisite impression is beautiful and again, vastly underpriced.

My thoughts on other well known brands....

Smirnoff. France. Tastes of nothing. Thin mouth feel, short flavour. Which is what they advertise I guess. Non offensive, but would never buy if there's a better option.

Absolut. Sweden. A decent house pour, and good for mixing, even neat if nothing else is available. Innoffensive, nice mouth feel, but short on flavour.

Grey Goose. France. Personally, for me, avoid. Overpriced, harsh and just not great. I'd rather drink Absolut.

Tito's. USA. Often championed by people from the US, for me this is horrible. It's corn based, and as a result it tastes weird, like a soft version of white dog (unaged bourbon). The corn flavour profile for me is not one that I want in a Vodka. The flavour does linger though, so if you like the flavour, it's a plus I guess.

Ciroc. France. Awful. Overly sweet, artificial citrus notes. Just a horrible approximation of Vodka. This is for people who don't like vodka. Apparently it's made from grapes, but it tastes fake. Vodka for teenagers.

Ketel One. Holland. A great house/cocktail pour, but I tend not to drink this neat. Their Citrus expression however is the second best flavoured vodka I've found. (Belvedere Citrus is top). Ketel is a great choice and if this is a bar's well vodka, then I know I'm in a good place.

Glen's. Scotland. It's dogshit. It tastes cheap. It's thin, but unlike Smirnoff - which tastes of nothing - Glen's tastes like cleaning fluid. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.

New Amsterdam. USA. Mildly better than Glen's, not as good as Smirnoff. Avoid.

Stolichnaya. Latvia. Mixed Grain, I don't like this very much. It's good for cocktails, or as a well vodka, but I wouldn't drink this neat. Hugely overrated in my opinion, and I've had many Russian and Latvian people tell me that it tasted much better when it was made in Russia. Their Elit expression is better but not worth the price.

Some weird Vodka you've probably not heard of, but should definately try:

Zoladkowa. Poland Very sweet, and very herbal. This is VERY cheap and often served as a side to a beer. It's not like any other vodka you'll try and is very much for easy drinking and mainly in a shot. Big headaches the next day!

Polugar. Russia. This tastes like brown bread. Very dry, and literally like drinking a glass of liquid bread. Made to very old recipes, this is an experience and a half. I really like it, maybe with a touch of ice, but I know other vodka enthusiasts that hate it. Try it once though!!!

Zubrowka. Poland. Also known as Bison Grass, this is flavoured with a particular species of grass that grows in Poland. As a result, it's vegetal and grassy and traditionally served with apple juice. Interesting.

I know there are tons of other vodka brands I could comment on but I tried to cover the ones that come up the most. Happy to answer any questions below regarding Vodka, it's history and Martinis if people want to get into it.

And yes, this is a short, basic guide, but hopefully point people in the right direction of some great tasting and high quality vodka's!!!

Bring on the Tito's outrage.

I was given a 6l bottle of Belvedere, but on the bottom of the back side says " not for consumption, for display purposes only." Everything else about the bottle looks identical to a standard Belvedere bottle, including the 40% alc/vol (80 proof), and the surgeon general warning about drinking. It even says 100% neutral spirits distilled from rye, just like your standard bottle of Belvedere would say. Why would it not be for consumption? I don't want to open this thing up if it's not belvedere inside.

My list for common vodkas found in US stores. Let me know what you think!

Does anybody know the science behind this phenomenal drink? I normally won't drink liquor by itself; but Reyka is the exception. And is there another brand that's identical to this?

Not a big vodka drinker but local liquor store had this for 11 dollars. Has anybody tried this ?

I like vodka a lot, but this is my first time drinking a vodka that is not the cheapest of the store; it was amazing, I drunk like 5 small cups and my head get "funny", also was excellent idea drinking it with pickles, meat and bread

The next I wanna taste is the grey goose, but for now I'm happy with this