How to Buy a Premium Vodka

Drinking premium vodka such as Belvedere or Chopin is all the rage. Unfortunately, most people don't really know why they are shelling out extra cash for these trendy spirits. Read on to learn some quick and easy guidelines so that the next time you pay a few dollars extra when buying a premium vodka, you will know why.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know where the best vodkas are produced. Although vodka is made in several countries, the best come from Europe--hands down.

2. Identify vodka's ingredients. Most vodka is made from potatoes or grains such as wheat and barley.

3. Learn about distillation, is a process in which the water is separated from the alcohol. Generally, the more times vodka is distilled the higher the quality of the product.

4. Understand the significance of filtration. After the distillation process, vodka is then filtered through charcoal to remove impurities. The purity of vodka increases with the number of times it is filtered.

5. Become familiar with how premium vodka is supposed to taste. Premium vodka is easy to drink with a smooth mouth feel and aftertaste. There is no harsh alcoholic bite in premium vodka.

6. Consume premium vodka properly. High-end vodka is not designed to be mixed with anything. It is made to be consumed either neat or chilled on its own.

Tips & Warnings

• Taste vodka at room temperature if you are trying to decide which type you like best. Cold vodka tends to be void of any sort of nuanced flavors and aromas, leaving only the sting of alcohol.
• Go with less expensive vodka if you plan to mix it. You really can't tell the difference and it's easier on the wallet.
• More expensive does not necessarily mean better-tasting vodka so don't feel pressured to buy Grey Goose at around $35 a bottle because it is the trendy thing to do.
• Vodka is potent, so enjoy it responsibly.
• Don't drink vodka that is cloudy when a splash of water is added. Premium vodka is always crystal clear.

Who Can Help:

• Guaranteed: Lose 30+ lbs without dieting. Try Sensa Today

Resources

• Read the results of an official vodka tasting at Fiftybest.
• Learn more facts about vodka at Tastings.