OT---Tito's--vs

bucky925

Ok from all the advice I tried a bottle of Tito's vodka, and it was good, very good.  I'm more of a bourbon person so I did a little experiment.  We had some folks over for Saturday football and I poured some Simirnoff into a tito's bottle.  As a test I also put some Ezra Brooks bourbon into a Woodfords reserve bottle.  I don't play bartender because I don't know how strong or weak each likes their drinks.  The reviews were unreal!  My wife and I were floored when they commented on the flavors and such of each drink.  I may have to do this with beer next time. No I didn't tell them they were drinking "sub par" sprits. Just the devil in me I guess. 

pgprescott

bucky925 said:

Ok from all the advice I tried a bottle of Tito's vodka, and it was good, very good.  I'm more of a bourbon person so I did a little experiment.  We had some folks over for Saturday football and I poured some Simirnoff into a tito's bottle.  As a test I also put some Ezra Brooks bourbon into a Woodfords reserve bottle.  I don't play bartender because I don't know how strong or weak each likes their drinks.  The reviews were unreal!  My wife and I were floored when they commented on the flavors and such of each drink.  I may have to do this with beer next time. No I didn't tell them they were drinking "sub par" sprits. Just the devil in me I guess. 

Smirnoff is anything but subpar, just really good vodka at a really good price. Tito’s is priced really good also. Expensive doesn’t necessarily mean Good. 

fishlessman

for price verse value try the new amsterdam vodka, i like the titos but new amsterdam is a good clean tasting vodka. i think its 16 something a handle. its really a bargain

The_Stache

Or REAL vodka, Sobieski!

YEMTrey

In my inner beer geek circles we used to joke around with each other about being able to taste the "rare" of a beer. 

paqman

Your guests were probably not used to taste different vodkas... Tito’s is superior to most vodkas I have tasted.  Smirnoff is not bad, just not great.  I had my fair share of cheap vodka and I can tell you there is a difference.  A difference in taste and a difference of how you feel the next morning.

As for Bourbon, I cannot drink the cheap stuff anymore.  Same thing for rum.  My wife knows... from time to time she tries to slip in an oz or two of older/cheaper bottles and I notice right away.

tenpenny_05

If I'm mixing vodka with anything, I buy plain old Barton's vodka. $12 bucks for a handle.  Vodka Limeades, moscow mules, bloody mary's. Goes in everything, no complaints.

lousubcap

Regarding the bourbon side, every bourbon has a unique taste and flavor profile.  If you are used to one brand and then get a different one you will likely notice (if you don't intentionally contaminate the pour).  If you move amongst a few different brands then the switch will not be as pronounced and maybe not noticed unless the mash-bills are wildly different.  FWIW-
But if it's free then that will cover a lot of taste issues. 

jabam

We buy the Kirkland brand Vodka from Costco. Good price and very good vodka. 

Kcheves

+1 on Kirkland.  We use the Kirkland USA for cooking, and the made in France Kirkland for mixed drinks.  We also drink Kettle 1, which is about the same price as Tito's.

Hans61

Wolfpack

Chopin 

No comparison. Everyone I get to try in a martini gets hooked

BizGreenEgg

+1 Kirkland Red label.  Or Monopolowa.

Killit_and_Grillit

I couldn't tell the difference in vodka. Especially mixed. 

But if you poured me an Ezra disguised as Woodford...well that's how friendships end. 

I would absolutely notice. But I have noticed most would not. Especially if they aren't avid drinkers that prefer neat or rocks pours. 

JohnInCarolina

I tried the Kirkland bourbon, and thought it was pretty terrible actually.

Lit

There a huge difference between vodkas and bourbon for sure. We were drinking mules one night at our house and ran out of Titos and a neighbor brought over a bottle of Grey Goose and everyone noticed right away it was not nearly as smooth. That neighbor always has Titos now. 

jamesj

I am a Titos fan but good value is Svedka

JRWhitee

For a true test pour some Fleischmanns into a Tito's bottle and if you get a reaction. 

DoubleEgger

JRWhitee said:

For a true test pour some Fleischmanns into a Tito's bottle and if you get a reaction. 

Or Popov.... if you really want to be sly, slip them the bad stuff after the first couple drinks when they are much less likely to notice.