Vodka Review: Smirnoff by Robert
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 3 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
2.4615 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $12.36 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
- Percent Alcohol
- 40
- Times Distilled
- 3
- Charcoal Filtered
- Yes
- Produced By
- Diageo
- Imported By
- Diageo
- Website
- Smirnoff
- Cap Type
- Metal Screw On
Identifying Features
Stately bottle with key red highlights, such as the cap and neck, pentagon logo, and lower banner.
Written on the Bottle
Produced in the USA by the Smirnoff Co. under the formula and processes of Pierre Smirnoff Sons, successors to the world-famed Pierre Smirnoff, Moscow, Russia, Purveyor to the Czars, 1886 - 1917. Triple distilled, exceptionally smooth. Ten times filtered in a unique process for ultimate clarity.
Review
Smirnoff is a ubiquitous name in the vodka world. This isn't just because of huge ad campaigns, but because Smirnoff (the brand) has product available in so many different flavors and proofs. The vodka is in virtually every bar in the US (at least every one I've been to). Smirnoff is also pretty affordable.
In the past, Blue Label Smirnoff was my beverage of choice because the bang for the buck is undeniable. I still regard Smirnoff Red Label as my ultimate bottom shelf for mixers. That is, I won't drink anything (except for a review) of lesser quality than Smirnoff in a mixed drink.
For the record, the recipe comes from Russia (hence the country designation above), but, according to the bottle, it's made in the United States. I'm not sure what to make of that in regard to this review (since I am a stickler for details), but those seem to be the fact. Smirnoff Red Label is also known as Smirnoff No. 21. I chose to call it by Red Label, as I feel that is more common nomenclature.
The Shot
The shot opens with no clear flavors, bitter or otherwise. As I let my tongue marinate in the shot, I notice the feeling of having the moisture sucked from my mouth. This is typical of some cheaper vodkas (e.g. Skol or Aristocrat), though Smirnoff is nowhere near as bad. Upon swallowing, the burn is obvious and the bitter flavors come out in spades. This vodka requires a chaser. Diet Mountain Dew is my favorite chaser, but it isn't doing a great job of taking out the flavors.
The Mixed Drink
For Smirnoff, the mixer is Passion Fruit juice. The mix is bitter. In a club or bar, given the lower price compared to high quality vodkas, I certainly feel like Smirnoff would suffice. However, drinking in the comfort of my home or in a calm environment where I can reflect on the drink, Smirnoff is barely acceptable. It isn't a fun vodka to drink, but it would get by in a pinch.
Opinions
Smirnoff is a great bottom shelf vodka, but doesn't make the cut when it comes to casual drinking. If you're in a club and you don't want to shell out for Stoli, Smirnoff is your man. Smirnoff Red Label still maintains my low-as-I'll-go rank.
If you see the following form, please ignore it.
Comments On Smirnoff
The Future Mrs... said on Aug 12, 2008 at 1:18 pm...
So is Don Cossack your new Smirnoff, in the "low-as-you'll-go" area?
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corvato said on Dec 03, 2008 at 10:23 am...
Not sure why this stuff is so popular, i think the heat and drying effect turns me off
i can't understand why this is considered "James Bond's Vodka" when it is pretty horrid in a martini.
you want a smooth, plesant vodka for a martini, which this isn't. its good for mixed cocktails, but it can't stand on its own.
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Ben said on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:37 am...
Vodka #2 for me. Probably the worst Vodka I've had to this point. (8 brands so far.) It doesn't have much flavor, but gives me the strange sensation of wanting to gag as I shoot it down. Almost like I'm drinking something like rubbing alcohol (which is a poor analogy because I've never drank rubbing alcohol before). It's drinkable, but mainly as a mixer... and even then in somewhat low concentrations.
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chuckers said on Apr 22, 2009 at 8:51 pm...
I thought it would be good because of the name is one of the most famous. Wow I took a shot at my gf's house and it burned horrible, tasted like you would think rubbing alcohol would taste like. I am glad vodkabuzz doesnt care for it either cause most people say it is pretty good, it is really bad.
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Robert said on Apr 23, 2009 at 7:02 am...
@chuckers, Smirnoff is good if you want a cheaper cocktail, but not the cheapest / well vodka cocktail (at least where I live). I'd only drink it by choice if I was trying to save money at a bar, though an extra dollar would be worth the jump to Stoli. Sobieski and Svedka are much better at roughly the same price if you're buying bottles at a store.
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Julianna said on Oct 28, 2009 at 9:53 am...
On the opposing view point, although Smirnoff is a low priced vodka it actually always gets ranked highly in blind taste testing. I feel the reason that people decide not to "desire" the taste is because they feel it is cheap so it must be a "low-end" vodka... In reality Smirnoff is a cheap vodka because they sell so much of it therefore giving them the ability to keep prices low and consumers happy. Many "high-end" restaurants and bars use this as their well vodka to keep consumers satisfied and let them know they are getting quality. If you decide to go otherwise because some think price = quality hit up some Ciroc which is one of my favs... easy to drink on the rocks with a lime
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Jason said on Jan 08, 2010 at 1:07 pm...
What I'd like to know is how was Smirnoff favored over other vodkas like Grey Goose and Ketel One in The New York Times taste test?
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/26/dining/26wine.html
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Sam Smithson said on Mar 16, 2010 at 7:30 pm...
I'm with the reviewer on this one. Smirnoff Red is OK and perfectly drinkable, but the grades above it (Blue and Black) are significantly tastier.
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darpo.olof said on Oct 27, 2010 at 2:42 pm...
I have a question regarding Smirnoff. In the US it is made in the US, in Europe it is made in UK or Italy. Why is this? Could someone bring some clarity to this please? From what I have understood they only do own distilling in the UK, otherwise they only buy already rectified alcohol, is this correct?
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taffyg2003 said on Dec 08, 2010 at 5:56 pm...
I had an opportunity to compare a Grey Goose martini with a Smirnoff martini a few nights ago at a lower end restaurant. Grey Goose was their best offering, so that is why I choose that as the "reference" vodka. Interestingly, the Smirnoff cocktail was fairly smooth. The aroma was also reasonably soft, as well, so things were off to a good start for the relatively inexpensive vodka. Unfortunately, the smooth start turned quickly into a noticeable bite with a bitter and spicy finish and aftertaste. Don't get me wrong, the martini was not bad overall, especially for one made with a lower shelf vodka, but the Grey Goose martini was noticeably superior in flavor and aftertaste. The Smirnoff was about as smooth, if not smoother than the Grey Goose surprisingly, however. In the grand scheme of things, I would place Smirnoff near the bottom of my vodka list. At this point, I would say that it is better only than Absolut from my experience with about 25 or so vodkas. I have given only Absolut a 2 star rating, with all other vodkas getting 3 or higher. I am on the fence about rating Smirnoff, but I do not think it is as low down as Absolut so I will give it a borderline 3 star rating.
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AZWolverine said on Jan 12, 2011 at 9:32 pm...
Very clean on the nose, not much else to detect. It has a slightly sweet mineral flavor, with some medicinal alcohol kicking in later. By no means my favorite, but it does represent a respectable value.
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srogge said on May 22, 2011 at 6:50 pm...
What a wonderful example of how proper advertising can sell absolute garbage. Svedka is cheaper and miles better. Get some class and donate this to the homeless guy down the street.
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lasousa said on Jun 22, 2011 at 3:06 pm...
I like this vodka.
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marcb93 said on Aug 29, 2011 at 9:15 pm...
Smirnoff is only a small step above the cheap vodkas. The finish has an unpleasant, almost overwhelming alcoholic taste and burn.
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