Vodka Review: Ciroc by VodkaBuzz
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 1 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
2.7143 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $32.99 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
- Percent Alcohol
- 40
- Distilled From
- Grapes
- Times Distilled
- 5
- Charcoal Filtered
- Yes
- Produced By
- Diageo
- Imported By
- Diageo
- Website
- Ciroc
- Cap Type
- Plastic Screw On
Identifying Features
Fades from blue to clear glass from the bottom to mid-bottle.
Written on the Bottle
Snap frost vodka distilled from fine French grapes. 5 times distilled. Ciroc is and imported vodka distilled from fine French grapes. At the heart of this unique vodka are select grapes frown high in the Gaillac region of France. This innovation in French craftsmanship uses a cold fermentation process, unique in the world of vodka, preserving the grapes' distinct freshness. Distilled 5 times, this results in a taste experience that is refreshingly different and elegantly smooth. Go against the grain. Experience it and revel in the unexpected. www.cirocvodka.com, 1-800-392-8456. Be discerning. Drink responsibly.
Review
Cîroc, or Ciroc for short, is arguably a vodka. At least, the European Union, or EU for short, thought it was worth arguing about in the so-called Vodka War. You see, Ciroc is made from grapes. Vodka, according to certain countries, must be made from grains, potatoes, and sugar beet molasses... or something like that. Currently, beverages made from other things should read "Vodka produced from" instead of "Vodka." This really solved nothing, and I am now reviewing Ciroc as a vodka.
If you're familiar with the vodka, it's probably because of the recent ad campaign featuring Sean "Diddy" Combs or in Rick Ross's video BOSS (yeah, I don't know him either). I was under the impression that the gangsta set goes for cognac. I guess it's fitting that Ciroc is a vodka-ized brandy made in France. Or maybe I'm crazy.
The Shot
The shot initially caused a severe tingling in my mouth. That severe tingling continued until I swallowed, then continued to severely tingle my throat. This wasn't a pleasant tingle. It was almost like licking a 9 volt batter, except the flavor is strikingly bitter and alarmingly unpleasant. I couldn't place the taste on a range. It was oddly neutral-bitter. The aftertaste is by far the worst part, which is unfortunate since that is the part that lingers the longest. Ciroc is not a good shooting vodka.
The Mixed Drink
Color me surprised. I mixed Ciroc with Low-carb Monster. It mixed perfectly well with the energy drink. It complemented the sharp tastes, and actually made the drink seem sweeter.
Opinions
Daniel did a shot with me. Initially, he was pleased with it, commenting only on the sting going down. After another drink, he reconsidered and gave it a 5 out of 10 for shooting.
While Ciroc mixed well with my energy drink, it was a very poor vodka for drinking straight. It looks like the Vodka Belt of the EU, who ought to pride themselves on the taste of their vodka, shouldn't have bitched. Vodka made from grapes, or at least Ciroc, makes for a pretty bad tasting vodka.
Comments On Ciroc
Erik Yettaw said on May 26, 2008 at 2:59 pm...
Very Smooth and High Quality Vodka
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Rev Monkey said on Sep 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm...
I have drank this a few times, while I think its horrible to shoot it does mix very well with white grape juice to create a "anyone can drink" Grape Martini.
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Leigh said on Dec 01, 2008 at 9:02 am...
Great vodka, way under priced in South Africa!
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Leigh said on Dec 01, 2008 at 9:03 am...
Great vodka, way under priced in South Africa!
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Reyka said on May 25, 2009 at 7:52 pm...
I'd rate this vodka very highly; it has a pleasant tingle and a great grape-spitzer taste. Very smooth and a wonderful vodka.
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browne.allen said on Jun 16, 2009 at 6:46 am...
I find this particular brand particularly smooth and quite drinkable by itself.
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B said on Jun 30, 2009 at 9:43 pm...
Definitely not a vodka for shooting. This is a mix-only vodka, but when mixed its quite good.
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Carlos said on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:03 pm...
I think it is the smoothest tasting vodka I've ever had!!! I drink it with lemonade and grape juice. I found the recipe here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAwzHsxk5SE
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Eric said on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:05 pm...
I think it is a great tasting Vodka. Especially when mixed.
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Robert said on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:12 pm...
Ha! The O.G. Diddy. I'll have to try that some time.
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simplyvmail said on Sep 21, 2009 at 5:25 pm...
One of the vodkas that I cannot swallow. Not smooth at all.
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LoUDoN said on Dec 01, 2009 at 9:27 pm...
Only shot this a couple times but drank many a bottle in mixed drinks. For bay breezes this is my favorite vodka. A ciroc bay-breeze is totally fruity drink heaven. Sooooo easily drinkable, you hardly realize you're consuming alcohol from the taste, but they most definitely get you after a few!!! For mixed drinks I'd give this vodka a 9.5 out of 10 (as long as you're looking for pure smoothness and drinkability).
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Austin said on Dec 16, 2009 at 11:27 pm...
Sipping on a martini right now I just mixed up. No Vermouth, just ice in a shaker with vodka.
It has a weird taste on the front of it, not anything I have tasted from a grain or potato vodka. Its not smooth enough to praise and not rough enough to critique just in between.
I just finished a bottle of 26000 right before Ciroc. I thought that vodka was very clean and very smooth for the 10 dollar price tag I found it for. Having said that, for the price I wouldn't it again. Actually if it was 10 bucks I might consider it, but there are much better vodkas for cheaper. Just not a fan of the the actual "taste" of the vodka. Haven't tried it in a mixer, it sounds like from the reviews that it would probably taste good in Red Bull or something similar. I will give that a try tomorrow, because this martini is not very enjoyable!
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Austin said on Dec 17, 2009 at 6:27 pm...
Well I got to say, Ciroc is a great mixer. I did a one to one ratio with the brand Simply Lemon aid and Ciroc. The unpleasantness of drinking it strait is the variable that makes it a good mixer. I a have feeling I am going to get hammered tonight...
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Robert said on Dec 18, 2009 at 4:33 pm...
Doing shots, then doing mixed drinks is a good way to get yourself hammered. there's nothing wring with that, though. It seems Ciroc is well suited for lemonaide. If I ever get another bottle, I'll try that.
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Jason said on Mar 26, 2010 at 3:27 pm...
So Diddy makes a public statement "if your not drinking Ciroc Vodka, then your drinking pee, pee." Pissed off a rival vodka big wig and probably others too. I'm sorry, but WTF does Diddy know about vodka anyway? His Ciroc sounds like overpriced swill to me.
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taffyg2003 said on Apr 13, 2010 at 7:37 pm...
I had the opportunity to try a Ciroc martini with olives several nights ago while out to dinner. The aroma was unusually sweet and inviting. The martini it made was unique from my experience. It tasted very sweet and as if there was a little grape soda added to the cocktail, or perhaps like a spiked grape soda. It even seemed to have a slight effervescent soda-like sting when sipped and swallowed. Also unique was the unidimensional aspect to the drink. All other vodka martinis have had a distinctive initial sip, swallow, and after flavor; all of which bring out a different characteristic of the vodka along the way. The Ciroc martini tasted essentially the same throughout the drinking experience; no subtle aspects came out.
That said, Ciroc created a pleasant vodka martini. It never got bitter, never burned, and it was subdued and smooth. However, it was a bit too sweet and fruity for my taste. Perhaps it would make a better martini for dessert, if there is such a thing. It is definitely a vodka that I would have to be in the mood for to request again. Because it is so different from the other vodkas I've tasted so far, I find it difficult to rank on my vodka martini list. I would give it 3 stars and would probably place just before Skyy in tenth place.
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ryantodd281 said on Jun 14, 2010 at 5:14 pm...
While I'm not much of a fan of the Ciroc's spokesman - P-diddy- I have to say this vodka is great. I myself do not mix my vodkas with anything- as with anyone who actually wants to taste what they just payed for. I keep reading the main reviewer talk about how they mix the vodka with orange juice, and red bull, and blah, blah, blah. WTF? Are you in a phrat? No, slightly chill the vodka and enjoy it the way it was supposed to be- to be TASTED!! Ciroc has a very smooth and light taste with a bit of a sweet aftertaste. It's great to drink while enjoying some sardines and cheese. Come on guys, let's grow up a little.
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Robert said on Jun 14, 2010 at 5:38 pm...
Alright, Ryan. You are the final straw. I'm not in a frat ("frat" is short for "fraternity" and is spelled with an "f", not a "ph", unless you are trying to play on the spelling, though I don't know why you would). I'm probably the antithesis of frat. I don't know why the hell people fixate on what I mix with for reviews. I try to be pragmatic and talk about things people ACTUALLY mix with. Truth be told, I hate mixing. I prefer my vodka straight out of the chilled bottle. I don't even like chilling vodka in a shaker with ice because it tastes watered down. I've kept my mouth shut and tried not to take offense when people make accusations, but it looks like it's time for a blog post. I'm sorry to come off rude, as I really do appreciate you taking time to read at least some small portion of what I write, but I really needed to express myself a bit.
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Richard Heartgrove said on Jun 15, 2010 at 7:09 pm...
If all you have to counteract my statement with is the fact that I used "ph" instead of an "f," I really don't understand why you would even comment back(yes, I know how to spell, just thought it would give it an extra kick; guess I failed, though.) And the fact that you seem to come across people who are "fixated" on what you seem to mix your vodka with and yet you are confounded by this, leaves me myself a bit confused. Shouldn't this tell you something? You think a person who mixes premium vodkas with red bull is going on-line and reading vodka reviews? What would probably be more pragmatic is understanding your demographic. In all seriousness, I apologize If i seemed a bit acerbic, I didn't mean to be. Maybe someone switched your bottle of Ciroc with Vladamir(sp?) because I think your review couldn't be more off. I guess it's us just having different palates. Did I really write all this? I need to go get a life...cheers!
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Robert said on Jun 16, 2010 at 11:22 am...
I'm not going to let this turn into a flame war on my own site. So, this is the last I'm saying as far as this conversation about mixers goes unless it takes a turn for the better, though feel free to finish your thoughts should this strike any. Hopefully it reads with the mellow tone I want to convey.
1. I wasn't countering your argument. I'm not even sure you made an argument so much as came on my site to say you think I was wrong about Ciroc (which is great because we get to read other opinions) and make fun of me for being someone of the same ilk as you: a person who prefers straight, chilled vodka. That latter bit is what I was addressing in my reply. I don't have a problem with anything else you said, and I agree with you 100% that the best way to drink vodka is straight and chilled. And, ultimately, I don't even have a problem if you'd mix with something different. I just don't get why I have to be under attack for someone to make a point that I myself would make.
2. The three or four people that make fun of me for the mixers I use, then go on to insist that they only drink vodka straight, are much fewer than the other 10,000 people every month that don't complain about the mixers I use (a decent number of them even leave comments), and are still fewer than the 100s that have written in to say that they like the site over the past few years. That's a little bit of info about my readers.
In the end, I think we'd say the same things about drinking vodka. I know my choice of mixers are far from sophisticated, and I don't care. I'll unashamedly continue to use them in reviews because normal people drinking at home, myself included, aren't mixologists with endless supplies of ingredients and when I go out to drink, I don't want to spend a fortune on sugary froufrou well vodka cocktails when I can get a cheap mixer with a better vodka. To boot, I see more people out drinking vodka and Red Bull, vodka and OJ, vodka and cranberry, and other simple cocktails than people drinking anything else (except maybe beer depending on where you are in the country).
As for me, I'll still be drinking my vodka straight unless it's not an option at the time.
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