Vodka Review: Russian Standard Original by Robert
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 5 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
4.3571 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $19.22 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
- Percent Alcohol
- 40
- Distilled From
- Wheat
- Charcoal Filtered
- Yes
- Produced By
- Roust Group
- Imported By
- Remy Cointreau USA, Inc
- Website
- Russian Standard Original
- Cap Type
- Metal Screw On
Identifying Features
The bottle has a fat base that slims quickly to a slightly tapered cylinder, then quickly tapers at the base of the neck. Gray labels wrap the upper neck and middle of the bottle. The print on the front of the vodka is predominantly Russian, with bits of English text thrown in.
Written on the Bottle
Peter the Great arrived to the Neva river to create a new city, and indeed a new state. There, on what became Imperial city of St. Petersburg, he hoisted the Czar's Standard. Two hundred years later, it was in this great city that D.I. Mendeleev created the highest standard for Russian vodka in 1894.
Today Russian Standard Vodka revives the same formula, combining the finest wheat grains from the heartland and soft glacial water from the frozen north to create a classic Russian spirit with a superbly smooth and soft taste.
Russian Standard Original - Russia's leading premium vodka.
Review
Russian Standard Original Vodka is the bottom of the Russian Standard line and is the highest selling premium vodka in the world. We've reviewed the top of the Russian Standard line, Imperia, which is our favorite Russian vodka. It was only a matter of time before we got our hands on Russian Standard Original, and now is that time.
The Shot
Russian Standard Original Vodka has a bitter bite that is typical of Russian vodkas. The bitter bite is very soft, though, and quite pleasing given the context. The feel in the mouth is nice, as one should expect from a premium vodka. There is a very light burn on the way down, leaving the light bitter flavor in the mouth. A chaser is far from needed, but the aftertaste doesn't let me forget that I've been drinking vodka. A nice fruit drink or soda helps to clean the pallet. Russian Standard Original Vodka is a great shooting vodka.
The Mixed Drink
I mixed Russian Standard Original Vodka with White Grape Peach juice at a 1:1 ratio. There was only a slight bitter flavor and the mix was very easy to drink. With double the juice, there's no discernible vodka flavor. Russian Standard Original blends perfectly well, making a really great cocktail.
Opinions
Erin had Russian Standard Original Vodka with White Grape Peach juice, as well. She said she couldn't really taste the vodka and "guess[ed] that [was] a good thing." Daniel said the shot was pretty smooth and didn't have much of a burn. He said he could taste the ethanol, but it was smooth, nonetheless.
It's really no wonder why Russian Standard Original Vodka is so popular. It's a great vodka at a reasonable price. If you favor Russian vodkas, it'd be silly not to try this vodka.
If you see the following form, please ignore it.
Comments On Russian Standard Original
Ben said on Jun 02, 2009 at 11:36 am...
Speak of the devil, I just tried this ($19.99 for 750mL). I liked it.
However, drinking it wasn't enough. I had to get a bottle of Stoli ($22.99 for 750mL) as well and settle the dispute once and for all. Which Russian vodka wins for around $20? Well, the results were... inconslusive. (As always it seems for me.) Stoli had a more noticable peppery bitter flavor up-front and it stayed consistent on the way down. Not too much heat. Russian Standard seemed more muted until after the swallow. Some bitterness and very noticable warmth from it. I like both of them. I suppose if I want to notice the flavor more, I'd go with Stoli, and if I wanted the extra warm fuzzy feeling in my chest, RS. At over $1 a shot, I prefer to leave the mixing to less expensive brands. (Why... HELLO Sobieski!)
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Robert said on Jun 02, 2009 at 12:23 pm...
It's been a long time since I've had Stoli, and I had to go out of state to get the bottle of Russian Standard. I'll have to grab a bottle of Stoli next time and see how my memories compare. I think your assessment is probably fair. They are both Russian-style vodka and I remember Stoli having a strong bite to it.
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wattsprodigy said on Jun 03, 2009 at 2:35 am...
I've tried several vodkas most of them made here in the United States and being quite bitter with a burning sensation and not much of anything else.
Not the case with this vodka. This vodka is very smooth and has a nice aroma from the bottle that has a gentle note of wheat. I tried it at room temp as soon as I got home from the store. As I let it rest in my mouth it had a slight warming sensation and a gentle note of wheat. Once I swallowed it went down nicely with a little bit of warmth and very little bitterness. The flavor was nice with a touch of sweetness and notes of wheat and citrus. It had a very nice finish of sweet cedar, with navel orange and a touch of wheat that seemed to linger for a while.
In a mixed drink the flavor of the vodka was noticeable but not obtrusive like my experience with Grey Goose. It mixed very well with any mixer I used and added just a touch of wheat to the flavor along with the standard flavors you find with quality Russian vodka.
This vodka is so smooth I see why they call it Russia Standard and why Russia is THE PLACE to look for quality vodka. I could drink this all day, but that wouldn't be healthy for me (LOL) so I'll just keep it at 1 drink a day and at $16.50 per 750ml bottle I'll keep this as my vodka of choice. Cheers to Russia for the technique of producing exquisite vodka.
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Robert said on Jun 03, 2009 at 7:29 am...
@wattsprodigy: It sounds like you're a Russian vodka fan. I typically favor the more neutral style vodkas, but Russian Standard is a really palatable Russian-style vodka. Maybe I need to take a road trip to Russia to find out if the local vodkas are more like Russian Standard or one of the other Russian vodkas we get in the US. Did they build a bridge over the Bering Straight yet?
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Rich said on Jun 20, 2009 at 9:12 pm...
I'm actually drinking Russian Standard right now mixed with a little Simply Lemonade. Makes for a very nice drink. Russian Standard is definitely among the list of vodkas I enjoy.
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Austin said on Aug 16, 2009 at 3:34 am...
I just drank a half a bottle of this stuff tonight. I love it! I usually drink 360, but I enjoy the bight and the grain after taste of this vodka. I actually liked it more than the Imperia that I tried last week. Too each is own!
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Mike said on Aug 16, 2009 at 2:39 pm...
I really like this Vodka . It has a bit of a smooth bite but goes down very well . I usually drink Svedka and now purchase Russian standard when i see it .
One strange note I have had several styes in one eye that lay dormant for a long time . Every time I drink R.S. they get red and slightly irritated . I still really like this vodka . I may try the Imperia soon as well .
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Austin said on Aug 16, 2009 at 5:50 pm...
Update, the morning after. After a half a bottle I woke up feeling great! No hang over... a little groggy though.
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taffyg2003 said on Feb 03, 2010 at 6:24 pm...
After some contemplation on how to make a better vodka martini, I decided to pick up a bottle of Russian Standard. The hope was that Russian vodka, which tends to have a strong flavor, could help to cover up the picked flavor of the cocktail's vermouth.
The initial flavor is bittersweet; definitely not wimpy, but also not overbearing. As the sip coated my tongue, it seemed pretty smooth and easy to drink. The swallow did have a mild burn, but it lent a cooling effect to the drink that was pleasurable. There was a very mild peppery aftertaste, but it did not detract from the overall enjoyable experience. One thing that was noticeable, was that the vodka's assertive flavor masked the somewhat unpleasant vermouth flavor in the the martini in a way that was almost as effective as gin, but without gin's detracting juniper accent.
In drinking this vodka, I quickly realized the Russian connection: a strong bittersweet flavor that is smooth, but with a mild bite on swallowing. Compared to Stoli, Russian Standard has a more mellow and balanced flavor, is smoother, and has less bite, and is clearly the superior brand. Although Crystal Head's nice flavor is a little less effective at masking the vermouth, I still prefer it due to its supreme smoothness and lack of bite. Tito' Handmade's totally neutral flavor does little to mask the vermouth so it makes a less tasty martini, but its Crystal Head-like smoothness and nearly Crystal Head-like minimal bite offers a slight advantage in a martini overall to Russian Standard's excellent vodka. In the end, I would place it third, just barely behind Tito's Handmade, in my list of rated vodkas.
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Robert said on Feb 04, 2010 at 12:18 am...
You know, @taffy, you could skip the vermouth and just get the vodka. The amount of vermouth one might want in their martini seems to vary greatly. One guy I met even said he just liked to wave the closed bottle of vermouth over the drink. If you do drop the vermouth, Crystal Head, Jean Marc XO, and Chopin are some great sipping vodkas. To be honest, for those vodkas, I don't like to mess them up by mixing them with anything. I'd rather enjoy them straight.
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Jason said on Feb 04, 2010 at 5:52 pm...
After seeing the good reviews on here and seeing all the big billboards around advertising this lately, I had to try this one. I've tried it, and I'm impressed. It has some bite, for sure, but this is a very good Russian vodka for a very reasonable price. I'd say Robert's review is spot on in the way I would describe it myself, same with the reviews of all the other vodkas I've tried on here so far. I have a feeling our taste in vodka is very similar. ;)
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taffyg2003 said on Feb 04, 2010 at 10:02 pm...
@Robert, that is a thought. I have tried a couple of vodka shots along side the vodka martinis, but actually I prefer the flavor of the martinis to the straight shots. It was only after trying a gin martini, did I realize that the bittersweet cooling crispness of the gin complemented the vermouth better than any vodka I had tasted. That aspect of the cocktail was great, but I strongly disliked the juniper flavor of the gin itself, and prefer the the flavor of vodka to gin. In the end, what I am looking for is a vodka that will make a martini with the cooling sweet crispness of gin, but the flavor and smoothness of a great vodka. So far, of the ten vodkas that I have tried, Crystal Head does this the best. If it the best that there is, I would be content; except for the high price.
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taffyg2003 said on Feb 23, 2010 at 7:34 pm...
@Robert, out of curiosity I purchased a bottle of Martini and Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth to see if it would help improve the taste of the martinis that I've been making with Tribuno Extra Dry Vermouth that my father-in-law gave me a while back. What a difference! The martinis taste much sweeter and have a much softer bite. I guess that the vermouth used can be almost as important as the vodka, though I had been advised otherwise by a local liquor store clerk. The unpleasant pickled flavor that has been more pronounced in the martinis that I had been making at home compared to any made by a bartender, is significantly reduced with the new vermouth. The Russian Standard's bite is also a bit softened when mixed with the Martini and Rossi brand compared to Tribuno. At only $6.49 per 750 ml. bottle of Martini and Rossi versus $3.99 for Tribuno, the cost increase per martini is very small, and well worth the difference.
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Sam Smithson said on Mar 16, 2010 at 7:16 pm...
Just chiming in with some positive words for Russki Standart. It is a very palatable vodka and a quality product too. It does start with a bit of a bite but it goes down smooth. The consequences of over-indulgence are also minimal.
Consumed Russian style - at room temperature, in shot glasses, with sliced pickles, shallots, some salami, rye bread and other little snacks - it's a real treat. It is very easy to drink until the bottle is empty, or until you and your friends have fallen asleep heads down on the table after lots of singing, eating and laughing.
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Witchhammer said on May 10, 2010 at 10:03 am...
Got a bottle of this bought by a friend for my birthday. Third vodka I've tried (the other two being Smirnoff Red Label and some horrific bottled foulness called Tzarevitch, Australian bottled, maybe distilled as well trash) and I must say I'm quite pleased. Maybe a couple of dollars more than the other two ($32 Aus) and definitely of a higher quality.
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slcmetalhead said on May 19, 2010 at 11:31 pm...
I love this stuff. I first bought it on a whim about a year ago, and I've gone back to it ever since. This is very, very good vodka, and it's moderately priced (at least, it's a lot less than Belvedere, Grey Goose, etc.).
I typically drink this straight, either as an ice-cold shot, or sipped cold. It has virtually no smell at all - it's kind of uncanny, actually. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was water. It's very smooth, and is one of the very few vodkas I can drink at room temperature without needing a chaser (although it's still best served chilled). There is little burn, especially if you shoot it. Sipping it, there's a minor burn, but what can you expect at 80 proof?
The flavor is one of the more complex of the vodkas I've tried. It manages to be silky smooth, and yet it carries a lot of subtle fruit overtones - citrus and grape stand out for me. There's a faintly metallic quality in the flavor as well, but I don't find that unpleasant personally. It does have an aftertaste as well, but it's very neutral - not at all unpleasant.
It should also be noted that I have had very mild hangovers when I've limited myself to just this vodka, and some light beer. I'm not sure if this is just coincidence, but I've gotten pretty wasted off this stuff and woken up feeling much better than I should have.
Also - since the Russian Standard Platinum vodka isn't listed on this site, I'll add a few words about it as well. For sipping, I actually prefer the Russian Standard Original, as its flavor is more complex. The Platinum version isn't a terribly interesting vodka for sipping, and it seems a bit sharper than the Original. But for shots, the Platinum is bar-none the smoothest vodka I've ever had. It's like taking a shot of butter - no burn whatsoever, and a very clean flavor.
I give Russian Standard five stars, considering flavor as well as price. This vodka could definitely cost more than it does, and in my opinion it's head and shoulders above a lot of the so-called "top shelf" (i.e. top price) vodkas.
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alex said on Jul 28, 2010 at 1:26 pm...
Russian Standard is considered to be one of the lower quality vodkas in Russia. It's also considered to be a fake brand, like Putinka, Zherenovka and other fake stuff. If you ever go to Russia, try Kauffman, it's quite expensive but very worth it. But if you really like to taste some vodkas, you should go for house moonshine (russian: "samogonka"). It's not the same moonshine that the portugese make, so it's not from grapes. Every good restaurant or steak house will have several moonshine brands that are generally SPECTACULAR! They are much better than top shelf vodkas and are actually not very expensive.
Just to add Grey Goose, Smirnoff, Absolut, Finlandia, Belvedere are all considered sub-standard vodkas in Russia.
Btw, great site you got!
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Wolf Von Carstein said on Jul 28, 2010 at 2:25 pm...
Russian Standard is pretty good for the price; mixes well and goes down smoothly. If you can afford to go up a notch (and can find it) though, try Imperia. Simply the best.
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harry young said on Jul 30, 2010 at 1:36 pm...
Russian Standard Vodka (have paid $26-29 for 1.75liters) is the smoothest vodka I have ever had in my life. After pouring a shot into a small shot glass,you can sniff the vodka and notice that there is little to no burning sensation in your nose. After downing the first shot you will not notice that alcohol of any kind was in your mouth until it hits your throat with a gentle burn. It just goes down like "water" or as the Russians say "Vada" Other noteable brands that I enjoy are: 2nd place= Cristal(Russian vodka),3rd place=Stolichnya(Russian vodka)
If you are on a limited budget and are looking for a cheap vodka ($13-14 for 750ml) then I would only buy Svedka.It is a Swedish vodka and it runs circles around any budget brand including Smirnoff(and any other paint-thinner-esque vodkas)LOL.
Svedka tricks one into believing that one is drinking an expensive brand of vodka without paying a premium price!
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Robert said on Aug 12, 2010 at 8:37 pm...
@Alex thanks, dude. We appreciate the kindness. If I ever get to Russia (really wouldn't mind going!), I'll look that up.
For the record, we're not fans of your "just to add" vodkas either
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jmoore said on Sep 23, 2010 at 3:23 pm...
This vodka reminds me of sipping a "soft" vodka. It stings but soothes as I drink it. I really appreciated the lack of taste, as some premier vodkas remind me of drinking rubbing alcohol.
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Sara said on Nov 13, 2010 at 8:47 pm...
This is a very, very good vodka. I tend to think it's slightly easier on you than the flagship of its line, Imperia, but both of them are better, in terms of purity, than Absolut, Belvedere, GG, etc. And I don't mean it doesn't burn a bit in your mouth, because it does; I think all Russian vodkas do. It's just much easier on your innards once it gets there.
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Robert said on Nov 15, 2010 at 5:36 pm...
@Sara from my experience you are right. Russian and polish (maybe all eastern Europe vodkas) have an intended burn. It's usually more pleasurable than western unintended burns that you'd get in lower shelf vodkas.
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Jim Hicks said on Dec 12, 2010 at 7:02 am...
My wife bought me a bottle of Russian Standard Original a few weeks ago. I had never heard of it previously. At the same time, she bought my Belvedere and a bottle of Kahlua.
Tried it first as a chilled shot. Not watered down by ice, chilled in the freezer for an hour. A bite? Yes. But not that bad.
Then tried it as a Black Russian. I like mine actually to be a brown Russian. I don't like that much Kahlua. The mix worked very well. Then came the martini (not the same night!)Wife made it, using way too much vermouth. Not good. I made one with just 3 or 4 drops of M&R dry, and it was not bad at all. Yes, I prefer Belve, made with rye over Russian Standard made with wheat. But saving $10 a bottle is worth it for my everyday vodka.
And referencing the poster who drank half a bottle in one night. No headache or stomach pains the next morning is a good tribute to the quality of this vodka. And the fact I put it in the freezer and it just got cold - it did not freeze. I put a bottle of Smirnoff in the freezer and it was filled with ice the next day! So this really is quality vodka.
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Waldo said on Jan 19, 2011 at 6:07 pm...
Had this tonight, on the rocks, no olive or twist but I did have a cigar with it so my palate might have been a bit off.
Great vodka for the money, I wish I had known about this vodka before I bought my latest bottle, Titos, I would not have bothered but gone with this instead.
This was great! Can’t believe how nice it went down, I did not experience any bite or aftertaste, very good. I can see mixing it as I am sure it might be even better but I drink all my whisky and vodkas on the rocks or sometimes a vodka martini.
Just my .02 but this is worthy of a taste or two for those of you that really enjoy vodka, I can’t wait for when its time to get a new bottle of vodka.
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stmrtn said on Feb 01, 2011 at 1:44 pm...
I also love Tito's but this vodka is so good it's scary...
I only drink a shot right of the freezer when I,m in the mood, I love this Vodka.
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srogge said on May 22, 2011 at 6:45 pm...
Awesome Vodka. Drink it on the rocks or up with a twist
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Or said on Aug 21, 2011 at 7:42 pm...
Is this review about the regular, gold or platinum version of Russian Standard? "Original" in the title means it refers to the regular one?
In that case, aren't the gold and the platinum versions supposed to be better?
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Robert said on Aug 22, 2011 at 9:19 am...
Refer to the photo in the post to see which one it is. We also reviewed Russian Standard Imperia.
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taffyg2003 said on Aug 23, 2011 at 6:22 pm...
I have seen Russian Standard, Russian Platinum, and Imperia on the local liquor store shelves, and it always seems odd that the Platinum version is only about $2.00 more per fifth than Standard. I haven't seen many Platinum reviews, but I am tempted to buy a bottle to compare it to Standard to determine if the distiller's claim that silver filtration creates a smoother beverage. The much more expensive Imperia, on the other hand, seems to be made from a different recipe and uses quartz filtration instead. Crystal Head, which is amazingly smooth, utilizes quartz filtration, as well, so I am intrigued. A good-better-best Russian Standard vodka tasting flight could make for a very entertaining evening, indeed.
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loudmouthmoose said on Nov 19, 2011 at 6:30 pm...
Being that my preferred drink is a vodka soda with a twist of lime, Russian Standard is an awesome choice for a reasonably priced night out.. The lime twist easily enhances the clean taste and the club soda provides an enhancement that carries the slight bitterness of the vodka away on fizzy bubbles.
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Hellmaw said on Nov 25, 2011 at 9:30 pm...
This bottle is what got me loving vodka. This one right here. My second bottle, and the only one I'll ever need.
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Mike said on Dec 10, 2011 at 5:55 pm...
I spent many years living in Russia, and I have to admit, there is no real consensus amongst Russians with regard to what good vodka is, though Stolichnaya is not one that is ever mentioned. From my experiences trying hundreds of vodkas and drinking often with Russian friends, I can say with certainty that Russkiy Standart is not considered to be a fake vodka like Putinka - there is no comparison. Kauffmann is not worth the price. I would also highly recommend Tsarskaya Vodka - a good Russian vodka at a good price.
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Dmitriy said on Dec 28, 2011 at 3:37 pm...
I am Russian, born and raised. In Russian, "Russian Standard" is considered middle shelf, moderately expensive vodka, that is okay but not excellent.
For many folks visiting this site and being at large, there would be no real chance to sample some of the most spectacular and smoothest vodkas, unless they traveled to mother Russia and try them there.
You see, it takes many tens of millions of dollars to bring an alcohol product such as Russian Standard into U.S. market, and being as such, there are very few Russian vodka producers that can afford this "luxury of export" to be fully implemented, hence their quality products never make it outside the motherland. One such example is the "Green Mark" ( Зелёная Марка ) vodka, or the famous vodka "Beluga", or "Moskovskaya" to name a few.
That being said, one cannot fully appreciate a full taste of genuine Russian Vodka by sampling its singular commercially successful representative - Russian Standard. You must take a trip to motherland to try over 150 various brands to find your true favorite.
Meanwhile, I say "Nazdorovye" with a shot of Russian Standard, the only one of great many good vodkas, that has really managed to make it to the American shore! Enjoy!
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rbdeli said on Jan 16, 2012 at 10:44 am...
I completely agree with your tasting notes. Russian Standard Vodka (original) is a very clean vodka. Perfect for martinis. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to my next martini with it. Also, this vodka is very transparent - perfect for mixers. I haven't tried the others; Imperia and Platinum. I can't imagine them being worth the extra cost. Also, I agree with Ben...there doesn't seem to be as much pepper to this one as some of the others in the same price range. I just can't see paying good money for a 750ml of either Stoli or Russian Standard. Get the 1.75 Liter for $25.00 and enjoy it a while.
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rbdeli said on Jan 16, 2012 at 10:48 am...
Very interesting perspective, Dmitriy.
It is too bad that I can get the best Single Malt Scotch in the world right here in the U.S, but not the best vodka. Would the same thing be true for Polish Vodkas when it comes to distributing their finest?
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taffyg2003 said on Jan 27, 2012 at 3:50 pm...
I agree that it is a shame that some of the best Russian vodkas are not available in the U.S.. I tend to enjoy the mild bite of a high quality Russian-made or Russian-style vodka in a dry martini with olives, so I am intrigued. I suppose that Imperia might be the best Russian vodka that I am aware of, though I have not had the opportunity to try it yet.
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