Is all vodka in the US the same?

Walk in to just about any bar in America today and you'll see a row of fancy vodka bottles all lined up. Some people swear by one brand or another, but there is a federal law that requires all vodkas to be pretty much the same, so the Planet Money team decided to test them.

Is all vodka all the same?

No, not all vodka tastes the exact same.

But despite the popularity of this crystal clear spirit, it's still quite misunderstood. To dispel some of the most common misconceptions, we asked Tony Abou-Ganim, an all-star bartender and the author of "Vodka Distilled," for help.

Does quality matter in vodka?

If you like the bottom shelf, cheap stuff, don't feel embarrassed, you might be getting significantly more value than those who reach for a bottle on the higher shelf. Afterall, all vodka regardless of the price supposedly has no distinct character, aroma, taste, or color.

What is the number one vodka in the United States?

Tito's. Tito's started as a small-batch vodka brand distilled in Texas. Today, it is still distilled in Texas but has grown to become the most sold vodka in the US.

Which is the purest vodka?

The #1 vodka is Absolut. Absolut is one of the cleanest vodkas available, with a crisp, pure taste that's somehow also full-bodied and complex.

Is All Vodka the Same?

Why is Tito's vodka so popular?

Quality and consistency are the keys to Tito's success, with projected sales for 2021 representing nearly two million bottles a week. That's a lot of Moscow Mules and vodka Martinis. It sure sounds like somebody's having a good time out there.

What alcohol is hardest on the liver?

"Hard liquor contains more alcohol than beer or wine, making it more dangerous for your liver," continues Coleman. "A single shot of 80-proof hard liquor contains about 15 grams of alcohol and most shots contain even more alcohol than this." Another alcoholic beverage also takes a considerable toll on your liver.

Is GREY Goose Vodka Russian?

But the most popular vodkas in the U.S. – including Smirnoff, Ciroc, Tito's, Absolut, Svedka, Grey Goose, SKYY and New Amsterdam – are not made in Russia. They are made in Sweden, France, the U.K. and the U.S.

Is Tito's vodka top shelf?

Names like Absolut, Ketel One, Van Gogh, and Tito's are among the most popular top-shelf vodkas on the market.

Is Kirkland vodka the same as GREY goose?

You may have heard a rumor that the Kirkland Signature™ brand vodka sold at Costco is actually GREY GOOSE® Vodka, just in different packaging. We can definitively put this myth to rest. This viral claim is completely false, and GREY GOOSE® Vodka does not produce nor privately label Kirkland vodka.

Is there a difference between cheap and expensive vodka?

There is no clear difference between expensive and cheap vodka. The difference lies in good and bad quality spirits. Even if expensive vodkas are made the wrong way, they could produce the same unpleasant taste. Hence, the next time you are out buying vodka, you would know the difference!

Can people tell the difference between vodkas?

All vodka is the same! It's, according to Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute, a "neutral spirit" that is "so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color."

Why is GREY goose expensive?

Why is Grey Goose so expensive? Grey Goose's price point comes from the premium ingredients and thorough distillation process that goes into every bottle. It's made entirely in France from harvesting to bottling and uses single-origin Picardie winter wheat and natural spring water from Gensac-la-Pallue.

Why are some vodkas better than others?

Pure raw materials that are distilled with care will produce a better tasting vodka than one made from the cheapest grain, yeast, and distillation process.

Is Smirnoff cheap vodka?

Smirnoff Vodka should be almost anywhere you look. It's one of the most reliable and inexpensive vodkas out there with several flavors to explore. The brand claims to be the world's most popular vodka and most awarded name in the category.

Does cheap vodka give you a worse hangover?

In moderation, drinking vodka causes no hangover symptoms, like Blanco tequila and beer, because of the low concentration of congeners. Cheaper vodka will likely result in a worse hangover because the ingredients here have more impurities, no matter the distillation process.

Is Grey Goose stronger than Tito's?

There is almost no difference between both vodka brands when it comes to power. The distilled alcohol content of Tito's and Grey Goose sits at 40% ABV, which means that each drink is powerful enough to knock you out cold.

Is Tito's overrated?

“I don't like to be a hater, but the most overrated spirit is Tito's Vodka. Have you ever actually tasted it neat in a comparison with similarly-priced vodkas? It doesn't taste very good at all. It sells well because they have an amazing marketing department.

Is GREY Goose Vodka high end?

And two beloved international brands, Absolut and Grey Goose, each played a part in the spirit's rise to fame. While Absolut brings in higher sales on a global scale, Grey Goose consistently makes VinePair's list of the best vodkas and is viewed as a symbol of luxury.

Is Smirnoff a Russian vodka?

Smirnoff (/ˈsmɪərnɒf/; Russian: [smʲɪrˈnof]) is a brand of vodka owned and produced by the British company Diageo. The Smirnoff brand began with a vodka distillery founded in Moscow by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov (1831–1898). It is distributed in 130 countries.

Is Ketel One a Russian vodka?

Ketel One is one of those vodka brands that you might have thought was Russian, but nope – they're actually Dutch.

Is Absolut a Russian vodka?

Is Absolut Vodka Russian? Absolut Vodka is a Swedish vodka, produced in the village of Åhus in southern Sweden, from Swedish winter wheat.

Is vodka the healthiest alcohol?

Vodka doesn't contain a significant amount of minerals or nutrients. Vodka has no sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, vodka may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful of adding vodka to mixers, however, since they are frequently high in sugar.

What is the healthiest vodka?

What Is The Healthiest Vodka You Can Drink? A 1. One 5-ounce shot of clear spirit, 80 proof, contains just 92 calories and is fat-free, cholesterol-free, sodium-free, fiber-free, sugar-free, and carb-free. Dieters and weight-maintainers can take advantage of this by opting for vodka.

What is worse for liver beer or vodka?

Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink.