Vodka Review: Relska by VodkaBuzz
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 3 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $5.89 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
- Lrelsky & CIE
- Cap Type
- Plastic Screw On
Written on the Bottle
Outstanding quality since 1721. Relska, The oldest name in vodka.
Review
In an attempt to add more vodkas to our bottom shelf, I grabbed a bottle of Relska.
The Shot
Relska is slightly bitter when it hits the tongue. As with most cheap vodkas, it dries the mouth as it sits. The taste got more and more bitter. The swallow burned a bit and the aftertaste was, of course, bitter. That said, this was one of the best 40 proof bottom shelf vodkas I've had. It's definitely bottom shelf, though.
The Mixed Drink
Relska mixed with Passion Fruit Juice was surprisingly good. The flavor of the vodka barely pops out, but it doesn't ruin the drink. For a bottom shelf vodka, Relska is a great mixer.
Opinions
Erin said it isn't terrible as a mixer. She said there is a definitely an ethanol flavor, though. In the end she was surprised that it was as good of a mixer as it was.
Daniel and Mel tried a shot with me. Neither of them loved it, but neither of them looked sick after. So, it must not have been that bad for the single shot.
Relska is a decent mixer. If you're shooting, you'd do better to pick up something better. If you're mixing and you're in a pinch, Relska might get you through your rough spot.
Comments On Relska
Sarah Jones said on Feb 16, 2009 at 11:52 pm...
I had a run-in with Relska this past weekend with my cohorts in Alabama. In my opinion, Relska is one of the most refined vodkas out there. After drinking about a cup of it, I was in a great mood, singing songs, and high-fiving everyone in sight. I kept thinking to myself, " why would this be considered bottom shelf?" It wasn't until the next morning that the reason was clear. I felt as if my stomach lining had been violently ripped out of my body and I had been chewing on cotton balls all night. Long story short, a cup of Relska can always be counted on for a great night followed by a horrifying morning. Hats off to you my friend.
Reply to This
Doug said on Dec 29, 2009 at 10:23 pm...
I _totally_ disagree with those (above) who cite Relska as 'bitter' or 'bottom shelf' in terms of quality. I've been working my way across the (physically) bottom shelf of Virginia ABC stores of late, occasionally straying higher up toward eye level, and I was more than pleasantly surprised with this spirit from... where?... it doesn't say. (And a google of "Lrelsky & CIE" brings me right back here, to vodkabuzz!)
And for poor Sarah, who had her poor tum ripped out after a cupful, I had 3/4 of a liter last night and felt NO after-affects this morning.
A few brand I've "suffered" of late have left me feeling blood-poisoned in the morning, and for much of that day. Really!
But this brand, which seems smoother to me than Stolie and _any other_ brand I've sampled (!), is not, IMHO, to be scoffed at. Whoever is making it, and I'd suspect it's Russians, or Poles, is doing something _very_ right!
I've consumed fine Russian vodka in that country.. and some pretty horrid stuff, too. I've been to vodka tastings in a couple of countries where, like wine tastings, you roll it around and spit it out -- being anxious to discover the 'mouth' affect, not the alcohol-in-the-bloodstream one. I'd put this one up again any I've tasted.
doug
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