Anybody here tried Ivanhalder's 1815 Vodka? (need lots of vodka for a recipe)

[Coventina]

I'm making cranberry cordials as gifts this xmas.
Need a base vodka to start from. I want it to be good, without hopefully breaking the bank.

I was seriously considering this Netherlandish vodka, but a grammatical error on their label has made me leery. Can I really trust a vodka that can't get a simple label right? I get that maybe the writer isn't a native English speaker, but shouldn't it have been caught at some point?

Can anyone recommend a quality vodka at a reasonable price point?

[getagrip_already]

1. they are all the same...

By law, vodka is very strictly defined. About the only thing that differentiates the various brands is the water they use to dilute it after distilation.

Blind taste tests have confirmed it, and when a preference was given, it was for the cheaper no name vodkas.

There is no difference. buy anything.

[Coventina]

4. Interesting, thanks. I know scotch, but I don't honestly know all that much about vodka.

I have the vague idea (not sure where I picked it up) that "good" vodka tastes very neutral, like not much of anything.

[getagrip_already]

5. The only ingredients allowable under law are....

Ethanol and water. Nothing else.

If the water has a metalic taste, that will pass through, but generally they are all have the same bland caustic taste. Marketing will say otherwise, but thems the facts.

[wryter2000]

2. Try Kirkland brand

My boss had a blind tasting of vodkas and said the Costco brand won.

I'm not a vodka drinker, so I can't say for certain. But I'd give it a try.

Edited to add: I know the Kirkland brand gin is excellent for the price.

[Coventina]

3. My husband suggested Kirkland. We aren't members, but his mom is.

I've heard similar as you: Kirkland has more than decent booze.

I assume it's kind of like Trader Joe's: they contract with booze makers to put their label on it.

[Midnightwalk]

6. I think they have a crew

Of babushkas in the back stomping on potatoes.

At least that’s what I imagine. I’m sure you’re actually right.

[Coventina]

7. I'm sure the potatoes are Kirkland brand as well!

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. Actually, Kirkland Vodka is made from wheat in France n/t

[Major Nikon]

9. There are a lot of good vodkas that are quite reasonable in price

The myth is that all vodkas taste the same and I certainly haven't found that to be true. They are made from various raw materials which definitely impart different flavors. The quality and method of distillation is also a large factor.

Ivanhalder's 1815 is one of the best bang for the buck vodkas I've tried. If you are looking for a budget vodka, then you should really look no further.

If you want to spend more, the ones I also like are Stoli, Russian Standard, and Titos.

[Brother Buzz]

10. You have to work real hard to make a bad vodka

Don't waste good money for a branded alcohol; vodka essentially has no flavor, so your cordials will taste exactly like cranberry.

[Kali]

11. yum

and I bet gorgeous! what is your recipe?

[Coventina]

12. Super easy! Crush the cranberries (about one 12oz package)

put them in a quart mason jar with 1 &1/2 cups of sugar.
Slowly pour in 2 cups of the vodka and stir it a bit.

Keep it in a relatively cool, dark-ish part of your kitchen.

Over the next few days, as the sugar dissolves, add more vodka and keep shaking it once in a while (twice a day is fine).

Once you've filled the quart jar, just keep it in its spot, and shake twice a day.

After six weeks, strain out the solids, and you're done!

You can decant it into a fancier container.

I'm planning on using the mason jars, but I'm going to dress them up in ribbons and bows.

[Kali]

13. I might have to try this

it just sounds delicious

[Coventina]

14. Hi Kali, I just posted a new thread with some helpful hints I learned from the process.

If you're still interested, you might want to take a look.

[Kali]

15. cool! thanks!

here it is - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181428892

I saw fresh cranberries in the store on Thursday and even bought a bag but I didn't think about vodka. going on the list. I will try a small batch for myself and if I like will plan for next year. do you suppose a year of aging would be good? maybe I should just make a bunch and then have it ready for next year.

[Codeine]

16. All vodka is the same.

Anybody pretending otherwise is either fooling themselves or full of crap. The legal definition of vodka makes it essentially impossible to make any real changes, so all this “premium vodka” stuff is pure marketing genius.