Vodka Review: Finlandia by Robert
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 3 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
2.7143 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $19.99 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
- Percent Alcohol
- 40
- Distilled From
- Barley
- Produced By
- Altia Corp
- Imported By
- Brown-Forman Beverages
- Website
- Finlandia
- Cap Type
- Plastic Screw On
Identifying Features
The back is rippled, distorting anything behind it. The cap is silver. The logo is a group of elk (or moose?) in front of a red setting sun (or something like that).
Written on the Bottle
Made from pure glacial spring water and six-row barley. Distiled and bottled by Altia Corp. Hlesinki, Finland.
Review
I picked up Finlandia because it was a mid-priced vodka. There is really nothing special about it. It is a vodka from Finland. I cannot link to their website, finalndia.com, because the "linking policy" is shit. Normally, I would link to their site, ignoring Finlandia's disapproval due to breaking one or more of their "linking policy" rules. However, I think it's a better statement to not link to them at all (and make fun of them) than to link to them despite the draconian and, ultimately, unenforcable "linking policy." So, to put it softly, finlandia.com sucks, is a shit website, and really has no clue about the methods and practices of the Internet. There is no way Finlandia can actually enforce their "linking agreement" and they are pathetic for pretending that they can. So, screw off, Finlandia, for being rediculously stupid. If I wanted to live in the dark ages, I wouldn't link to your site; I'd... well... time travel back the the Dark Ages, I guess.
The Shot
I chilled shots of Finlandia individually. At full chill, it wasn't bad. The aftertaste was bitter and it burned on the way down, but it was otherwise decent. After the bottle had time too cool off, I shot it at a less than below zero temperature. The super-chilled shots were deceiving. Finlandia is pretty bitter at all points. It doesn't exhibit the mouth drying features of cheap vodka, but it was simply bitter on entrance, in the middle, and on the way down. Finlandia is definitely not a shooting vodka.
The Mixed Drink
I mixed Finlandia with Welch's Strawberry Breeze (strawberry, orange, and pineapple). Finlandia is a pretty good mixing vodka. The vodka definitely takes the sweet out of the juice, but it is still very palatable and pleasant to drink.
Opinions
Daniel and Erin both drank the same cocktail concoction as I had. They both liked it. Erin said it masks the flavor well, and Daniel said he enjoyed drinking the cocktail. Daniel had the misfortune of shooting Finlandia warm. He very nearly vomited.
If you're mixing, Finlandia is a good mixer. If you're shooting, there are better options. If you want to browse a website, don't browse finlandia.com. It may turn out that their terms and conditions (which I cannot link to) allow Finlandia to claim your very soul once you load the home page. You have been warned.
If you see the following form, please ignore it.
Comments On Finlandia
IvyGreen said on Oct 28, 2008 at 3:17 pm...
I grabbed a mini bottle Finlandia, as it was the suggested vodka the Chambord recipes, and I am glad I did. I was hugely disappointed with it. Horribly bitter. I usually drink 1:1 martinis - I tried X Rated & Finlandia and wondered if the X Rated was just crap, then I tried Hpnotiq and both could not mask the intensity of this vodka. Plus, I chilled the bottle overnight.
Reply to This
Ben said on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:42 am...
You're right. It's bitter. Finlandia holds the dubious distinction of being the first vodka that made me get a chaser. Thank you Finlandia. I read your review before trying it, but I was on a strange Finland kick after listening to Apocalyptica (Finnish metal band). It's not too bad when I mix it. I got a pretty cool-looking bottle out of it, though.
Reply to This
Robert Roehm said on Mar 22, 2009 at 12:50 pm...
Linking policy was probably put up because of Finlandia's wallpaper collection. They don't want links to them being put in areas where underaged users can get to the scenic images. You could be able to link to them (as well as the few others with similar policies) if you adopted a "legal drinking age" policy on this site.
Reply to This
simplyvmail said on Sep 21, 2009 at 5:35 pm...
Yucky with a taste of licorice. Not smooth and relatively undrinkable straight.
Reply to This
skiseiw9 said on Oct 01, 2009 at 2:20 pm...
I couldn´t agree more with VodkaBuzz, I wouldnt recommend it for shots or on the rocks, however when mixed is not bad better than Smirnoff or Absolut. I tried it with Disaronno and lemonade and it was very good.
Reply to This
Robert said on Oct 02, 2009 at 7:00 pm...
I'll have to try that!
Reply to This
Sam Smithson said on Mar 16, 2010 at 7:03 pm...
I am puzzled by all the lack of positive vibes for Finlandia.
Maybe the quality of it varies by market (I am in Australia), but in my experience it is one of the cleaner, smoother and most reliable vodkas I have tried. I can also say with 200% certainty and lots of experience it is one of the better vodkas the morning after.
Reply to This
rbdeli said on May 28, 2010 at 9:56 am...
I think you are under-rating, Finlandia, just a tad. Your typical vodka drinker is looking for a sweet, water-like smoothness, but Finlandia is just a bit different than that. It has a bite that hits your tongue and roof of your mouth that is almost spicy and carbonated. I would describe it as peppery. However, unlike the initial bite, the finish is quite smooth and enjoyable. You will learn to appreciate Finlandia for its unique bite and liveliness. I've rated it here:
http://productreviewratings.com/2010/05/best-vodkas-finlandia-vodka-review/
Reply to This
rbdeli said on May 28, 2010 at 9:59 am...
I thought bitter at first too, until I drank an entire martini with Finlandia.
When you open your mind and realize it's not meant to be completely smooth, you will learn to appreciate the taste as spiciness. It is not bitter at all. "White pepper" is how I would describe it. It is a little more complex than most vodkas, but finishes off down your gullet very smoothly.
http://productreviewratings.com/2010/05/best-vodkas-finlandia-vodka-review/
Reply to This
vodka enthusiast said on Dec 03, 2010 at 3:02 pm...
1. Vodka is a spirit made to be mixed with cocktails. If you are shooting vodka alone, you're an idiot.
2. Unfortunately, Finlandia does not have as much hype in the US as it does globally. But yes, it is known as one of the finer vodkas around the globe (just pretty unheard of in the US markets).
Reply to This
harold said on Mar 25, 2011 at 3:44 am...
Agree completely with rbdeli. Finlandia is a very neutral vodka with a slight peppery, "carbonated" finish. Not really what I would call bitter at all IMO. Definitely one of my faves.
Reply to This
Matthew12222 said on Jun 09, 2011 at 10:15 am...
Bah, I am rarely swayed by others experiences. Of course I tried this. I had to say Vodkabuzz is completely correct. Unless you enjoy extremely bitter stuff that is difficult to swallow. It'd say it falls in the same boat as absolute. It adds to a mixed drink.
For 23$ bucks a pop it isn't the best buy for me. Perhaps I'll try it again some time :/
Reply to This
jhm_home said on Aug 28, 2011 at 9:03 pm...
I disagree with the Vbuzz rating and agree with many of the comments here. I drink Fin on the rocks with a bit of lemon and maybe a splash of cointreau or chambourd from time to time. Good in the morning too. In St Paul MN i just bought a case for $9.97 per liter! What is shooting? A waste of spirits in my opinion, sip and enjoy.
Reply to This