Is Ketel One considered a premium vodka?
The last two expensive restaurants I went to didn't carry it--one of the waiters actually gave me this "You got to be kidding" look when I asked for a Ketel neat. I just like how it tastes compared to other vodkas but am curious if it's considered a premium brand or not.
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12 Comments:
I think it depends on where you are.
I have worked in places where it is top shelf, and others where it is in the middle. Most places I have worked don't even carry it, though I am not sure why.
I consider it fairly premium, but I am not a vodka drinker, just basing that on the folks I know who are die-hard vodka lovers and know what they like (as opposed to fads or the 'in' liquor at the moment.)
Are you sure you are getting the 'look' because of the brand, or because of the 'neat'? My hubby is a vodka lover, and his idea of dessert at a restaurant is a double, neat. He gets a lot of odd looks from waitstaff when he orders this rather than cheesecake. :)
sadiepix at 3:31PM on 08/30/08
it is a premium vodka and anyone that sneers at you for ordering it, is a foolish fool. The definition of vodka is a colorless, odorless, tasteless spirit. The premiums go through more filtering than the cheaper vodkas so they taste cleaner and purer, but the taste profiles are not much different at all and all quality vodkas are virtually identical. Why anyone would drink straight vodka, I have no idea but once you make that decision the brands should not be in question,
Mheusler at 5:39PM on 08/30/08
it's been a while since i've had a vodka, lot's of local brews, from what i remembered, i loved the stoli.
joessausage at 9:58PM on 08/30/08
I think it is a premium vodka, a lot of people are stuck on Grey Goose but it is a huge marketing sucess, when in fact a blind taste test was done with people who strictly order GG by name rated it the lowest in the taste test. I prefer Absolute but thats because I love Bloody Caesars and the Absolute Peppar is great!!
joanpieroni2 at 10:22PM on 08/30/08
It just depends on what that restaurant carries. It's always going to be a mid to upper shelf though, b/c it is a finer made vodka.
@joan: Back away from the GG!! ;) I love that stuff. However, I liked it BEFORE it was such a big name. The sweet little kick at the end does me in everytime. I can actually sip that one just chilled in a glass.
I do agree on the Absolute Peppar though. I love making Bloody Mary's with it. It has just the right amount of spice.
Varuna77 at 11:07PM on 08/30/08
Stolichnaya is good too.
browntown at 2:13AM on 08/31/08
I am a vodka drinker and yes, in my opinion, Kettle One is a superior vodka. For the price it is hard to beat and anyone who is a vodka lover will tell you the same. They will also agree that GG is not and is one of my least favorite. My favorite is Belvedere if I have deep enough pockets that week (smooth). Surprisingly, a very good cheap vodka is Burnetts. Quadruple distilled and really smooth (even better than GG).
jonestripp at 10:01AM on 08/31/08
Yeah, even though Ketel's super popular, who gives, it's premium.
Anyone tried Tito's vodka? Love it.
caviarandcodfish at 1:37PM on 08/31/08
Definitely.
If you can't get Ketel, ask for Stolies and if they don't have that you're stuck with Absolut.
therealchiffonade at 4:10PM on 08/31/08
Stoli for me and in the Fall/Winter please try Stoli "Peppar". Perfect for Scotch drinkers who hate vodka.
bessfour at 4:54PM on 08/31/08
yes, it's "premium." marketing allows them to sell despite charging that premium price. the looks you're getting are due to requesting any vodka served neat; very uncommon in the U.S. to drink "warm", straight vodka.
mmm veb at 8:53PM on 08/31/08
caviarandcodfish: i agree, tito is great. i always have a bottle of that around because it's reasonably priced.
i always thought ketel to be a very good vodka. and stoli is just a damn good russian vodka.
pooch at 10:50PM on 08/31/08