alphaiii

LOL....I check the monthly sales every month. I sorta base my shopping around them. For instance, since Pearl is on sale next month, I'll hold off to save a couple bucks. This month I will be trying Tito's. I've spent some time checking out the online product catalog too. I just couldnt find anything about the outlet stores. Thanks for the link.

I could never bring myself to spend $100 on one bottle of tequila. Unless of course I become really rich sometimes soon.

1800 Reposado is what you will find in the majority of bars as their premium tequila, unless of course you're at a cantina or mexican restaurant. I havent had that many of the "premium" 100% agave tequilas, since they are so expensive. Of the one's I've tried I enjoyed: 1800 Anejo Don Julio Reposado (not available in PA, I had it in Mexico) Gran Centenario Reposado Cabo Wabo Silver El Tesoro Reposado I don't mind shots of Hornitos or 1800 Reposado, I just prefer the above. I wasn't too impressed with Jose Cuervo Traditional or Cazadores Reposado. Sauza Commemorativa was another I didn't particularly care to do shots of, although for a mixto it actually made a decent margarita. I got the 1800 anejo and Centenario at the duty free in Mexico considerably cheaper than they are in PA. While I like them both, I will never buy them at the price they are here, way too expensive. The El Tesoro is somewhat unique, in that there is a subtle smell and taste of green olives/olive oil. It's different, but good.

Tequila is my liquor of choice, and in my opinion, Jose Cuervo Especial is not good at all. Granted there are much worse, but that goes without saying. Cuervo is well marketed, and is reasonably priced for what you're getting. Of course, it all depends on what you want it for. Unfortunately, tequila is a very expensive liquor in general, so Cuervo makes an economical choice, especially at that price. And since the many of people think of Cuervo "good tequila", you can't go wrong with it. When entertaining quests, most people would be content with Cuervo margaritas. However, for me, I opt for slightly more expensive 100% agave products (Cuervo is a mixto, 51% agave), such as Sauza Hornitos or 1800 Reposado (which is now 100% agave). These are my choice tequilas for margaritas - pretty good flavor and not overly expensive. There are others I prefer when it comes to shooting or sipping, but unfortunately, they are more expensive.

I was unaware of this. Thanks for filling me in. I'll have to be on the lookout for this sort of thing in the future. That would explain why the store near me had Belvedere liters on sale for the same price as the 750ml bottles. Is there an outlet store around Pittsburgh? I would think there would be, but I have never heard one referred to as that.

Ida, seeing that you are a Grey Goose fan and live in PA, I figured I'd let you know about this deal going on, since I stumbled on it online today, and hadn't seen anything about it in stores that I've been in. http://www.pawineandspirits.com/SpectacularSavings_p2.html It's only in certain stores, so I'm not sure if you can take advantage of it or not, depending where you live. Anyway, it's a pretty good deal. It works out to paying a little less than $20 for a fifth, which is better than the usual $24.99.

Correction, you can get Barbancourt rums in PA by special liquor order only.

I doubt you'll find may good options in PA, especially when it comes to light rums. You can't get any Barbancourt rum here. Almost all of the Cruzan line is special liquor order, aside from the flavored and the single barrel. The Flor de Cana is only available at the specialty stores, and even then you still can't get the white rum or extra dry, only the 5, 7, 12 and 21 year rums. Overall, the rum selection seems pretty poor in PA. So I'd say take advantage of the liquor stores in MD while you're still there.

No opinions on this rum?

Here is how I would rank, not considering price, the unflavored vodka's I've had to date (excluding the bottom shelf stuff that no one cares about): 1. Vincent Van Gogh 2. Grey Goose 3. Ketel One 4. Rain 5. Finlandia 6. Stolichnaya 7. Pinnacle 8. Svedka 9. Absolut 10. Fris 11. Smirnoff In the future I'd like to try Pearl, Tito's, Teton Glacier, and Luksusowa. I just thought it'd be interesting to see how everyone ranks some of the vodka's they've tried.

Actually that was the impression I got from your post, that you only used it for mixing. I just always feel the need to try a chilled shot of vodka when I buy a bottle. It'll be fine for mixing, and it won't empty out my wallet as much as some other brands.

Haha...The more you talk about Pearl the more that bottle seems to whisper my name.

Well, today I stopped by the liquor store and grabbed a bottle of 3 Olives Raspberry and a bottle of Svedka, and I grabbed one of the little 50ml Ketel One bottles to try it out. I definitely like the 3 Olives, both with cranberry and a chilled shot. It's not a smooth as some, but better than more and has a pretty good flavor to it. For the price I'll probably make it a staple around the house. The Ketel One is pretty good stuff. I can see why it has so many followers. I don't plan on buying a fifth anytime soon, since I would like to try Pearl next. Nonetheless, Ketel gets my approval. The Svedka I wasn't too thrilled with. I only tried a chilled shot of it. It'll be fine for mixing, but that is the only thing I'll use it for. Since it is so inexpensive, I will probably end up buying it again. One vodka I would like to see in PA is Pinnacle, the "new" vodka out of France. I was in NY in June visiting my brother, and I grabbed a bottle on the way home for $11-something. For that price, I would be content using it as my "house" vodka. It was actually a decent vodka, and it mixed very well.

I do plan on trying Pearl. But since I still have about a 1/3 of a bottle of Rain in the freezer that is satisfactory for chilled shots, I'll probably wait until I finish that. I just want to pick up some vodka for mixing, since I hate to waste the Rain on that, even though it's not terribly expensive. BTW, which vermouth do you prefer? Vya and Noilly Prat seem to be popular. I can't get Vya in PA though. Is Martini & Rossi a safe bet also? That the only big name vermouth I knew of before taking interest in martinis or finding this board.

Yeah Finlandia is usually a couple bucks more than Skyy and Fris, which run the same price ($16), but it's on sale fairly often, and ends up being the same price as the others. So in that case I would grab a bottle of the Finlandia. But with Luksusowa running $12 on sale, or Svedka running $11 on sale; if they are suitable or better yet quality mixers, then why spend more on something else. I'll likely give both of these a try due to some recommendations from folks here and the inexpensive price tag. I am definitely gonna pick up a bottle of the 3 Olives Raspberry. It's pretty inexpensive too. I got to try the vanilla and was actually pretty pleased. The vanilla tasted fairly natural, and was kind of subtle. I don't know that I'd buy the vanilla, since my typical mixed drink with vodka is a vodka and cranberry, and I see a raspberry vodka fitting better for that. And I prefer mixing spiced rum with coke over vanilla vodka and coke. But I wouldn't turn it down if it was offered to me. The 3 Olives is way better than Grey Goose vanilla, which tasted very medicinal, almost like robitussin or something, and is about 1/2 the price. It's also much better than Smirnoff vanilla (but then again most are).

Thanks for the warm welcome beans.

I think Grey Goose is very good for mixing, but at $26 a bottle, I won't be buying it anytime soon for that purpose. I drank Goose and tonic or cranberry at a wedding reception all night (hey it was free, why not ask for it over Absolut or Stoli) and felt great the next day - no headache. I know this fits in that alcohol abuse discussion, but when it's open bar and I have my pick of the shelf, I'll go for the best available.

Just curious if anyone has tried 3 Olives flavored line, or the original for that matter. The flavored only run $12.99 a bottle in PA right now, so I thought about picking up a bottle of the raspberry. I normally don't get flavored stuff, but since I'd only use it to mix with cranberry, it could make for a good cran-raspberry drink. I've never had original 3 Olives so I don't even know how good of a vodka that is.

I may have to try Svedka, since some here seem to like it and it's inexpensive. As for Fris, I found it on par with Absolut, harsh with a strong alcohol smell. Not one I'd get again, when I can get Finlandia for the same price, depending on what sales are running. I guess everyone has different tastes is all. While I dislike Fris and Absolut, you like them both better than say Skyy. I do feel Absolut and Fris are suitable for mixing, but I just think there are others that I would probably find less harsh that are also cheaper. I do agree about Smirnoff though. The stuff is just not good. I'd definitely give Sevdka a try before spending a little more on Smirnoff.

I tend to agree with your first statment, somewhat at least. For a mixing vodka, I don't expect to want to drink it straight, but I do expect to be able to do a shot without my throat melting and me cringing. So while I dont need premium vodka for mixing, I just can't make myself buy the cheap stuff. And I hear you on the cheap liquor headaches. Although, it's easy to give yourself a headache with any liquor if you're not careful. But typically, yes the cheap stuff is worse in that regard. Do you perceive Luksusowa as being hot? Alot of people/reviews say that about potato vodkas, but then others say they are creamier and smoother. Another vote for skyy....seems to be a safe bet then.

I wouldn't buy Pearl for mixing. I was askin about it for shots out of the freezer or for in martinis. Its a little pricey to be mixing. Skyy is reasonable price for mixing, so if it works good as a mixer it'd be a suitable choice.

runninwithscissors, Burnett's is only $7.49 a fifth in PA. But I've had Burnett's gin, and if the vodka runs about the same quality, I can't see myelf enjoying it much. I tend to make my drinks strong, and not mask the liquor. So bottem shelf usually doesn't turn out too good, althought I haven't had Burnett's vodka, so it may not be all that bad. JAZ, is Svedka along the same line as Absolut? Both are Swedish vodka, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I think Absolut is a very harsh vodka, so if Svedka is similar I may not like it too much. Although, at only 10.99 right now, it is tempting to pick up a bottle. stephenc, I can't drink Banker's Club. Like I said, I like to make my drink strong, so I can taste the liquor. I'm not claiming to be able to discern between all brands in mixed drinks, but it usually isn't too difficult to tell the difference between a bottom shelf vodka and a decent, middle of the road vodka. But also, cheap liquor typically equals worse headaches. I just have this aversion from anything that comes in plastic bottles. Too many college parties with cheap cheap liquor.

Hey everyone, I stumbled on this site recently when reading some liquor reviews on the net. Anyway, I've been sampling some different vodkas lately, but I'm getting kind of tired of buying entire bottles just to find out I'm not overly impressed. So I was hoping you guys could give me a little input on what vodkas you think would be good. First, I'm looking for a mixing vodka, since I enjoy vodka and cranberry. Obviously, it wouldn't make sense to spend alot on a vodka to mix it, so I figure a good middle of the road one would do fine. I tried Finlandia, and it works well as a mixer, but it even seems a bit pricey for this purpose ($18). I think Stoli is a good mixer, but I don't enjoy it straight, and it's even more expensive than Finlandia. I know Smirnoff is popular, but I think it's rubbing alcohol, and far from worth buying, regardless of what it's used for. What about Skyy, Luksusowa, or Wyborowa? The latter two seem to have some followers, and all are around $15. I'd also like to have a better vodka around for chilled shots or the occasional martini. I tried Rain, and it's pretty smooth and thick. How does it stack up against say, Pearl, Glacier, or Van Hoo, all of which run about $20 a fifth? I really don't want to go much about the $20, since I'm not an aficionado, I just want a little better quality vodka for whenever I get the urge. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, in general, what should I keep in mind when comparing grain vs. rye vs. potato vodkas?

Hey guys, I'm new here. Just wondering what you thought of Mount Gay Special Reserve light rum. I think Bacardi light rum is highly overrated, comparable to the way Cuervo Especial is considered good tequila. Anyway, I've tried the Mount Gay Eclipse and think its a decent rum for the price. Not what I would consider a sipping rum, and I prefer spiced rums better (Captain Private Stock) when drinking rum and coke, so I rarely buy the Eclipse. A couple people have said the Special Reserve is good stuff, but I haven't got around to trying it. Anyone here try it, and if so what did you think? Oh, BTW, I would recommend everyone avoid the Mount Gay Vanilla. I was highly disappointed in that. Smelled and tasted more like marshmellow than vanilla.