Vodka Review: Absolut by Robert
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 3 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
2.2500 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $21.13 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
- Percent Alcohol
- 40
- Distilled From
- Grain
- Produced By
- V & S Group
- Imported By
- Absolut Spirits Co
- Website
- Absolut
- Cap Type
- Plastic Screw On
Identifying Features
Big blue text reading "Absolut."
Written on the Bottle
This superb vodka was distilled from grain grown in the rich fields of southern Sweden. It has been produced at the famous old distilleries near Ahus in accordance with more than 400 years of Swedish tradition. Vodka has been sold under the name Absolut since 1879.
Review
Absolut Vodka is one of those vodkas that I've seen around. I tried it a long time ago, but didn't fall in love with it. They have great ad campaigns, but I never stuck with the vodka. I decided to give it another go round.
The Shot
I've had Absolut at various levels of cold. Even less chilled, it's still smooth. However, the flavor is rather bitter. In the middle, there are some very slight sweet flavors, but mostly bitter. It starts and finishes bitter, which makes it a less desirable shooter.
The Mixed Drink
I mixed Absolut with orange juice. At lower levels, Absolut complements the orange juice really well. It adds an interesting flavor to the normally sweet beverage. At higher levels, the bitterness starts to come out. While it doesn't really enhance the flavor of the orange juice, the vodka flavor complements the orange juice. It makes a decent mixed drink.
Opinions
The first time Daniel had Absolut, it was chilled in the freezer. He commented that it was good. The second time, it was less chilled. He commented about how bad it burned. Erin, though, enjoyed her Absolute screw driver.
Absolut is a good mixer, but a smooth but bad tasting shooter. I think the price is a bit high for what you get, but Absolut has a certain sex appeal in the brand that may entice you.
If you see the following form, please ignore it.
Comments On Absolut
Ben said on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:32 am...
This was my 3rd vodka. The flavor really stood out for me. It's reasonably smooth and easy to drink, but it just tastes funny. Almost creamy or buttery. I can't put a finger on it, but it tastes odd. It covers the bitterness somewhat, and seems to mix with OJ alright. Then I tried it with Diet Mountain Dew. Worst. Mountain Brew. Ever. That fact combined with the $20 price ended it for me.
Reply to This
Relight said on Mar 22, 2009 at 6:40 pm...
I like the bitterness of Absolut.
Reply to This
.HaiiTomm said on Aug 30, 2009 at 3:02 pm...
Ive got the Absolut Raspberry Vodka,
40% still. Smells heavenly but the taste straight from the bottle is rather "eurghhh",
Then again i've never frozen/chilled vodka which i may do now to see if the taste improves.
Mixes okay with coke.
Can anyone recommend a budget vodka decent for shotting?
.HaiiTomm
Reply to This
Robert said on Aug 30, 2009 at 4:59 pm...
I've never had that flavor. Chilling vodka helps a lot. I usually put my bottles in the freezer as soon as I get home. Coke sounds like a good choice of mixer. I used to occasionally do a vanilla vodka in coke to mix things up a little.
Sobieski is a good vodka that can be found for $10 - $13. Tito's is around $19. I drink both of those regularly. Svedka is also good if you can't find either of those. All three are exeptional vodkas and have been reviewed here.
If you want bottom shelf, Don Cossack 100 is the only one I recommend. If you can't find it, spend the extra $8-$10 and get one of the ones I mentioned above. It'll be worth it.
Reply to This
vegasvodkalover said on Sep 13, 2009 at 8:21 pm...
YUK. This vodka is for high schoolers at best or inexperienced drinkers who don't know any better. It has a harsh taste - not smooth at all - and you can taste the bitterness no matter what you mix it with. Even in the flavored varieties you can't get past the bad taste. Plus it gives you a horrid hangover. I recommend svedka skyy or ketel one instead - give them a try for a better quality vodka.
Reply to This
simplyvmail said on Sep 21, 2009 at 5:23 pm...
Yucky. burns going down, tastes funky.
Reply to This
skiseiw9 said on Oct 01, 2009 at 2:16 pm...
The only thing I can say about this vodka are bad things and most you already mentioned it. Its BAD, bitter taste on the rocks and even with mixed drinks! It always gives me a killer hangover! Their advertising might be very cool but their vodka tastes very bad.
Reply to This
Robert said on Oct 02, 2009 at 7:03 pm...
Several vodkas only keep their clout from marketing. This is one. I remember it being better than Goose, though. So that's a lus over another vodka that relies on marketing and wrongheaded public opinions.
Reply to This
taffyg2003 said on Jan 17, 2010 at 3:57 pm...
After having a decent, though undistinguished, Belvedere martini while out with my wife last night, I was curious to try one made with the ubiquitous Absolute for comparison. Based on the reviews that I had read on this forum and from some friend's opinions over the years, I was not expecting much.
The aroma, along with the initial flavor of the sip, was somewhat nutty; this was very different from any other vodka I had tasted. I was not sure that I liked this, but it definitely got my attention. Then, as the martini flowed to the back of my tongue as I was beginning to swallow, I noticed how surprisingly smooth it was! Wow, what a pleasant vodka, I thought. Then reality kicked in, and the vodka began to burn strongly after the swallow followed by a disturbing peppery aftertaste that lingered long afterwards. I found this roller-coaster-like taste experience with every sip of the martini. Yuck! Never again.
Absolute is by a wide margin my least favorite vodka to date, and its eighth place ranking on my list of eight vodkas so far will likely fall as I continue to taste test other more distinguished options.
Reply to This
Matthew12222 said on Sep 21, 2010 at 6:37 pm...
I have to say: I really don't mind it.It's got a cool bottle: it freezes and pours well. It's SMOOTH. People who like strong tea and coffee, enjoy "bitter" tastes as part of the experience. So the fact there bitter grain flavor, it adds interest to the drink. I am not a fan of artificial added flavors, but this is part of the traditional drink before it was easy to distill a drink X many times until it's 199 proof. The cheapest 750ml vodka here is 19.50$ I am willing to spend 23.50$ for absolute. Since drinks relate to experiences and memories, I'd have to say it's one of my favorites. I've had many good times with it.
Reply to This
Matthew12222 said on Sep 21, 2010 at 6:39 pm...
I have to agree. You've got taste.
Reply to This
AZWolverine said on Dec 21, 2010 at 9:20 pm...
To me this is run-of-the-mill. I tried small samples of six vodkas tonight, and this one most closely resembled rubbing alcohol on the nose. The taste was OK, but nothing special. There are certainly far better values out there.
Reply to This
ddonaldson5 said on Mar 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm...
Way too expensive. This vodka is an old gem. Once perceived to be one of the best ever has been smashed by medium priced vodkas. Alot of oil on this vodka and terrible burn. Great to clean my garage floor with but will only enter my mouth for to taste against other vodkas...never to be swallowed.
Reply to This
peachykeen said on Jul 25, 2011 at 11:37 pm...
If you're going for a flavoured vodka, definitely Absolut. There aren't really any other options with a wide range, and some of the ones they offer actually do taste really good (raspberry with peach/apple/orange juice, pink lemonade with sprite, and a few other combos).
In general mixed drinks, it's iffy, but not bad. Taking shots, it works just fine, pretty smooth and not hard to shoot at all. Warm and a little bitter, but an ok vodka all around.
Reply to This
marcb93 said on Aug 29, 2011 at 9:11 pm...
Absolut is a mid-range vodka in my opinion. When chilled, I find it has a neutral body with medium bite, and although the burn becomes slightly unpleasant on the swallow it doesn't linger. Would be good if it were cheaper, but it can't justify it's premium price.
Reply to This
rbdeli said on Dec 23, 2011 at 9:10 am...
Plastic like. That's the best way I know how to describe Absolut Vodka. There are so many better ones for less money:
Ruskova, Svedka to name a couple:
My take on Svedka: http://productreviewratings.com/2010/05/svedka-vodka-review/
Reply to This