Vodka Review: Boru by

Rating
3 out of 5 shots
Bang For The Buck
3 out of 5 shots
User Rating
3.0000 out of 5 shots
Rate It Now!
You can rate if you join VodkaBuzz.
Average Price
Unknown / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
Percent Alcohol
40
Distilled From
Grain
Times Distilled
5
Imported By
Castle Brands
Website
Boru
Cap Type
Metal Screw On

Identifying Features

Dark cap with sword and shield graphic on the bottle above "Boru Vodka" in silver print.

Written on the Bottle

Inspired by Ireland's visionary High King Brian Boru.

Review

A reader suggested we review Boru Vodka. It's been several years since I tried Boru for the first and only time, and now it's time to give it another try.

The Shot

Boru Vodka has a sweet flavor in the mouth, but it exhibits some of the mouth drying sensations that come with bottom shelf vodkas, which is uncharacteristic of what I consider to be a middle shelf vodka. There are bitters after swallowing, but luckily the vodka is fairly smooth. It's not without a burn, but it's mild enough to ignore.

The Mixed Drink

I made a screwdriver with Boru Vodka at 1 part vodka to 2 parts orange juice. The flavor is what I've come to expect from a run-of-the-mill screwdriver. The vodka pulls the sweet flavors out of the juice, but it's ease enough to sip on. The bitters in the back of the mouth are prevalent, but not bad enough to stop me from finishing the cocktail.

Opinions

Frankly put, Boru gets the job done. It feels like the taste equivalent of beating a nail into wood with a large, knotty club. It's fun and makes me feel manly, but it lacks the refinement of more streamlined implements (like a hammer or a nail gun). Boru Vodka is worth trying, but you won't miss anything if you don't.

Comments On Boru

  1. Ben said on Oct 17, 2009 at 10:38 pm...

    I vaguely remember this stuff from last spring. It wasn't bad, not the best either. It had a flavor or smell the faintly reminded me of perfume or cologne. I wouldn't get it again unless it was cheaper than the $15 I spent the first time. I need to get back into trying some new vodkas, I stopped after Tito's.

    Reply to This

  2. Robert said on Oct 20, 2009 at 8:38 am...

    Crap. Meant to email you that this review was on the way. Sorry about that.

    Reply to This

  3. Rich said on Nov 22, 2009 at 12:20 pm...

    I bought one of those novelty 3 packs of it recently (same size and shape as a 750ml but actually 3 bottles stacked, one regular and 2 flavors) but haven't tried it yet. I tend to collect the cooler looking bottles which is what suckered me in, at least now I know it won't be too bad to drink.

    Reply to This

  4. Barret said on Mar 20, 2010 at 7:45 pm...

    I randomly purchased a bottle of Boru last year because i saw it was inexpensive and I was having a party and didn't want to spend too much money on party goers. I was expecting some terrible rubbing alcohol type vodka, but was amazed how great it was. Now I may not have as a refined taste as the person that did the review, but I honestly prefer Boru to most other vodkas. Most other people I have had try it are now Boru drinkers as well. It is very inexpensive but has a great taste compared to most other vodka's in my opinion.

    Me and quite a few other of my friends swear by Boru and I recommend that everyone give it a try!

    Reply to This

  5. AZWolverine said on Nov 29, 2010 at 12:10 am...

    Good, not great. Certainly worth the price.

    Reply to This

  6. nutsaboutpolitics said on Dec 11, 2010 at 7:28 pm...

    Boru is my all time favorite vodka. I have tried a few other "premium" vodkas. I really like the Boru Orange it makes the best screwdriver or just a plain shot.

    Reply to This

  7. AZWolverine said on Dec 21, 2010 at 9:33 pm...

    I really liked this! Minimal "rubbing alcohol" on the nose and a grainy, sweet taste with a hint of pepper. I was surprised it was made from grain, not potatoes. Chalk it up to my ignorance!

    Reply to This

  8. Dilettante said on Nov 24, 2011 at 10:04 pm...

    Let me make it clear--I don't consider myself a 'drinker' as such. I do have a couple of shots of vodka a couple of times a month, but strictly for the buzz. I don't like--or should I say, I've never developed a taste for--the flavor of any distilled alcohol. So I basically gulp it down with no consideration for smoothness, flavor, etc.

    I've tried various brands--none terribly expensive, given my reasons for imbibing--but I don't mind paying a bit more for a vodka that will not result in a morning-after headache, thus my experimentation with different labels. For what it's worth, Boru is the only brand I've tried which has never, ever, resulted in even the slightest twinge of a migraine. (I understand that the fewer impurities, the less likely the negative results) I've tried Sobeiski, Skyy, Ketel, and a few others. (Thanks to this informative website, I wasn't suckered into trying out Grey Goose).

    Not sure if this review will be of any value, but there you have my two cents worth.

    Reply to This

If you see the following form, please ignore it.