Popov

2 StarStarStarStarStar

Popov is a 40% ABV vodka from the United States. It is filtered with Charcoal. The vodka is produced by Popov Distilling Co. The quality is considered to be ok. The average price is around $7.26 per 750mL. Rated 2 out of 5 based on 20 reviews.

The bottle states the following:

Premium vodka. Popov is carefully distilled then filtered through select charcoal to create a remarkably smooth vodka great for mixing, straight up, or on the rocks.

Popov Vodka Review

0 StarStarStarStarStar

I’ve never had Popov before, but it has a reputation like that of Aristocrat. The aroma itself is enough to make me feel bad. The large yellow “Now! Unbreakable bottle” is mocking me because I wish I could break the bottle to avoid this tasting.

The Shot

The taste sets off my gag reflex. It’s bitter and sets the flavor across my entire mouth. It burns in my mouth and down my throat as I manage to take it down. I wish I had a chaser, but I didn’t bring one over to the table with me.

The Mixed Drink

The mixer is Sugar Free Rockstar. Popov is a decent mixer. The bitterness is still very apparent, typical with a well vodka mixed drink, but the flavor is bearable if mixed down enough.

Opinions

I had to take a stab at Popov alone. While Popov, like all the lower shelf vodkas, is not to be had straight, it makes a mixed drink that I could drink if I had to. If at all possible, I will continue to avoid it as I have done before tonight.

Rated 0 out of 5.

Robert Brodrecht

  • Popov Vodka Review By Uriah

    No Rating

    Everyone always talks so bad about poor Popov, but, really, it’s a good drink. I’ve been drinking it for years. It was the first (and thus far only) vodka I found I actually enjoy drinking. It’s probably some of the cheapest alcohol you can come by that hasn’t been made in someone’s bathtub, and I’ve never gotten sick off it. Grey Goose, Sky, Absolut, all have made me sick and taste horrible.

    Popov is kind of like that quiet guy that sits in the corner of the coffee shop. He’s a great conversationalist, has a great job, is totally loaded, and, all in all, is the perfect guy, but most people won’t give him a chance because he always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and doesn’t wear high dollar clothes. The price tag doesn’t necessitate the inside.

    Uriah

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By Al

      I could not agree more. Popov is good quality vodka. The price on the other ones is jacked up because of marketing expenses and fancy bottle design . Vodka is basically ethanol and water. So it shouldn’t be expensive

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Dwight Spence

    5 *****

    I love popov vodka. The taste and the drunk and next day are all very exceptional. I never get a hangover from this stuff. I like to take double shots with a chaser of water. Not because the taste is to rough, or to prevent a bad hangover, but to be able to drink much longer and have my liver less effected : ). Also the price is right. How can you beat 10 bucks a handle and be that drinkable? Treat the popov good and she will treat you good.

    Dwight Spence

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By Chris Busman

      Im with you!! i dont get a hangover from this stuff its a great cheep mixer and all the snobs with high dollar vodka can go pound sand!!

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By max

    5 *****

    the f…ing best in usa so far and this comment comes from a a man who had a chance to grow up in Siberia. thank you all. very clear quality!!!!

    max

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By megan

    No Rating

    Wow!!! I’m so surprised to hear that not a lot of people like popov its my favorite!!! And it does not taste like smirnoff… I guess I’m a tough chic because I like to drink it straight with a chaser… I usually buy mountain dew or red bull! I hardly ever get a hang over but than again a hangover is about mixing drinks and how much you drank not the liquor buts that’s my opinion. I love vodka!!

    megan

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By Eliaylia

      I Love vodka too!:) I drink popov straight. I don’t know why people don’t like popov.

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By john michael white

    4 *****

    Perhaps many of the reviewers aren’t old enough to remember the New York Ties Magazine article on vodka that was published quite a few years ago. In it, Smirnoff executives admitted that Smirnoff and Popov came our of the same spigot, Popov being unadvertised and thus enabling Smirnoff to have an entry in the lower-cost market.

    john michael white

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By gshy1993

    No Rating

    I drank Smirnoff for years. I mix … lemon / lime soda and a slice of lime. Drink more than my fair share. Tasted Popov for the first time at a cocktail reception at an old time Southern law firm. I asked for vodka at an after hours in the conference room and they had to dig out a dusty bottle from the back of a cabinet. I was the only guy in the room not drinking a Scotch or a wisky. At any rate I thought it tasted just like Smirnoff.

    Being a cheapskate I bought a bottle the next time I was out and said I’d try it. Always liked Smirnoff. Have drank tons of other top brands at friends, relatives, parties, etc. but always enjoyed and bought Smirnoff.

    Again Popov tasted just like Smirnoff to me, and like Smirnoff I could and can drink mass quantities without getting hungover.

    As for drinking straight up … not my thing … my guess is it isn’t the best, nor would Smirnoff be. I think I actually enjoy mixing vodkas that are not so smooth. My parents prefer Stoli’s for instance and I think it lacks something in a drink.

    gshy1993

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By CK

      Poor Popov in any “top shelf” vodka bottle and no one will ever know the difference.

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Andy W

    5 *****

    Popov vodka is the diamond in the rough among the ‘bottom shelf’ liquors. I currently work full time as a bar tender and as a full-time father to six little ankle biters. My wife is a crab fisherman so she’s away on fishing trips regularly throughout the year. I don’t mean to bore you with my life story, but when I finish up a long hard day of work, and the little ones are finally fed and put to bed, nothing satisfies me more than draining the warm pint of popov waiting for me on my nightstand.

    Andy W

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Jordan

    4 *****

    One of the best bottom shelf vodka’s available. Very neutral, in a good way. Not much of a burn, has kind of an oily quality to it. Not bad at all for the price. I really recommend it if you’re on a budget actually.

    Jordan

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Terry

    No Rating

    Me and my wife recently bought a pint of popov red label (820500). We just would like to let you know that it smelled like whisky and tasted like whisky, But it was clear like vodka. We were happy with the taste and were wanting to let you know our happiness with your product but this has never happened before.
    Sincerely,
    Terry Jackson

    Terry

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Vodka Expert

    No Rating

    College students have been known to call this Russia’s Finest

    Vodka Expert

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By ThatGuy

      Sitting here as we speak with a small tumbler of my beloved Popov. It’s great straight, on the rocks (as I have it now), or mixed. The only real downside is the smell. It smells like they distilled it from hand sanitizer…

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By BoozePro

    No Rating

    Popov is a solid product for the price. Popov is by far the best bottoem shelf vodka on the market that I have ever had. For the quality, it should be higher priced, but my guess is that it wouldn’t sell due to the name and outdated packaging.

    BoozePro

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By lindsey

    3 *****

    doesn’t taste horrible but certainly isn’t the best i’ve had either. for some reason it tastes much worse in mixed drinks than it does straight. it’s cheap and drinkable and for a lot of people that’s all that matters so.

    lindsey

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By David

    3 *****

    This is definitely the best economy vodka out there. Sure, it is no Svedka, Absolute, or Grey Goose, but when you are looking to drink on a budget, Popov is a great option to have. I usually mix it with soda of some kind or simply chase shots with soda. The taste isn’t great, but it’s bearable and gets the job done.

    David

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Serjy

    4 *****

    Did not give me a hangover, unlike sky and Smirnoff among others. Taste is bearable. Price is awesome.

    Serjy

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Michael Kraus

    No Rating

    Popov is Distilled once and filtered once. Smirnoff is the same recipe as Popov, however Smirnoff is Distilled Three Times and Filtered Ten Times.
    mk-

    Michael Kraus

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By Robert

      According to Wikipedia, they are both produced by Diageo. I haven’t seen much information on Popov, let alone information on the distillation process. Beyond both being grain vodkas, I don’t know what else is constituted in the recipe. If you have any additional sources, feel free to post URLs. I’d love to read some more on them.

      Reply

      • Popov Vodka Review By Michael Kraus

        I simply went to my Bar and read the labels on both Popov & Smirnoff.
        I used to live in S. Dearborn Heights Michigan. Across the street was Allen Park and that was where the Smirnoff Distillary and Frito Lay were located. My info. on the recipe was attained through a tour of the plant.

        Reply

        • Popov Vodka Review By chuckers

          Wow, I was at the state store today and was thinking about buying this! What stoped me was i remember your review on the one that you dumped down the drain and i was thinking this one was it. But Ya, they had a big display up front and a 1.75 was 11 bucks or something and they label made it sound good, filtered and distilled through charcoal haha, the label was selling it pretty good, then i thought, something is up, cant be that great in a ugly plastic jug haha. I still recommend the vladimir for bottom shelf. Me and my friend tore up two 1.75’s in a month doing shots and mixing. Neither of us had a hangover once from it, it is like flavorless. I think it is like a like a PA WV vodka, I dont know what other states it is in. It is always like top selling vodka in WV and one of the top ones in PA. I think only cause of the price although others are a buck cheaper maybe and the label has like a big bearded russian king from like 17th century on it so it is catchy. I can drink anything but it was easy to put down, might be the best I have had. I might just be crazy though, or maybe I like the pureness of this cheap vodka i dunno. I never tried like bankers club or jacquins, or skol or anything else that cheap. Just nikolia which i find to be pretty close to being as good as vladimir, burns a lil more but still very good. I dont know if I lucked out and happened to buy 2 good cheap vodkas or if i just like cheap vodka haha. In my freezer now I got titos, fris, pinnacle, svedka and I find out of those the titos is by far the best so i dunno. I only have done shot of the fris and it was pretty awful as a shot. Pinnacle bad as a shot, but it works as a mixer. The svedka I am disappointed it, seems like it over powers everything i put it in. I got a bottle of sobiski I gotta put in the freezer, I am gonna do it tomorrow cause i gotta try it, I just got so much vodka in there now, I got flavored vodkas in there as well ( i am never gonna be able to get rid of the three olives chocolate vodka! ) Anyways do you ever drink any tequila? I am trying to find a good brand of it. Everyone says patron but I fear it may be like grey goose is to vodka!

          Reply

          • Popov Vodka Review By Robert

            I’m starting to think you are a cheap vodka fan boy! Popov isn’t the worst, but I’ll probably never drink it again (unless I have to for the good of the site).

            Unfortunately, I know very little about tequilla. Patron is what all the rappers go on about. They’ve rapped about other vodkas than Goose, so it might be ok. I’ll ask around and get back to you on it. All I can say is try a few and see what you think. Grab so e of the 0.99$ shooters!

          • Popov Vodka Review By Rich

            Very late reply but I would not worry about Patron being like Grey Goose. I’m also a fan of tequila and Patron is expensive but it is very good, I prefer the silver myself. 1800 is also a good bet and a decent bargain for the quality, definitely more affordable than patron is. Generally I’ll keep 1800 silver on the shelf and might pick up some Patron or another top shelf tequila for a special occasion. Mid-shelf my dad swears by Sauza Hornitos, even the regular low shelf Sauza is drinkable if you’re on a tight budget. Just whatever you do stay away from El Toro unless you want the hangover of a lifetime!

          • Popov Vodka Review By Rich

            Oops, forgot these comments weren’t nested, that was a reply to chuckers.

          • Popov Vodka Review By chuckers

            Hey thanks rich

          • Popov Vodka Review By Saje

            Herradura silver is good and has a lower price tag. Look for the Horseshoe.

  • Popov Vodka Review By Rich

    No Rating

    This sounds just like Crystal Palace (which seems to take Popov’s place up here as I’ve never seen it in stores).

    Rich

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By DuesMachina

      Crystal Palace and Popov are exactly alike

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Rio Paco

    No Rating

    All good reviews, all fine opinions. Over the years in my operation of two liquor stores and dealing with many salesmen, I have come to the conclusion that Popov and Smirnoff come from the same spigot. There are a lot worse vodkas than Popov. Now the Mad Men of the Avenue have just hyped these other vodkas to high heaven. Just another fine opinion. Thank You.

    Rio Paco

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Borg-mx5

    3 *****

    I just bought a large bottle of Popov for making a cherry liqueur. It will take about 3 months to complete. If you are going to drink Popov, I would suggest it come from the freezer or be mixed with something else. Do NOT just shoot it warm. I am old fashioned so I am still in the Stolichnaya camp. Grey Goose and others are smooth but not what I think vodka is about. I want to be toasting with icy shooters and declaring the eventual victory of Communism.

    Borg-mx5

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By Lance Steel

      Keeping in mind that Popov is made in the USA and not Russia. :)

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Shawn Riley

    4 *****

    come on. vodka by definition is tasteless, colorless and odorless. has anyone ever done a blind taste test??? i recently switched from whiskey to vodka – mainly because of price…but the surprising thing is Popov doesn’t give me any hangover whatsoever. Even cheap vodka is probably healthier than whiskey because of the nominal amount of congeners.

    Shawn Riley

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By aalf2020

    No Rating

    i like bloody marys and i have them at the bar. i got a bottle of popov to make my own at home and it tasted ok but after a few gave me a headache and i felt like i went on a bender. why.

    aalf2020

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Cresence

    No Rating

    I tried Popov starting yesterday. I started feeling seriously ill almost immediately. Lots of heaving. I finally started looking up its reputation, which is how I got here.

    Cresence

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By jeremyshamis

    No Rating

    For the price-$11.99 for a 1.75 liter Popov is at the top of its game.
    Don’t get me wrong here-My ratings of the top three vodkas you can buy are #1) ZYR #2)Deneka and #3 Belvedere. and for about $20.00 you can purchase a 1.75 liter of Deneka for $20.00 no other Vodka in this price range can touch it.
    I am 50 years young and with the exception of a special ocassion(New Years, July 4th, Wedding, not the Weekend my minimum is 2 shots in a standard 1.5oz shot glass and my maximum is the same.
    Side by Side you pour a shot of Grey Goose and a shot of Popov and there is little if any difference.
    But if you have the bucks, once you try ZYR that is it-smooth as silk and Deneka is right on its heels at 1/2 the price with no sacrafice of quality.

    jeremyshamis

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By jeremy shamis

    No Rating

    I am 50 years old and have some of the worlds finest vodkas. I put ZYR as the best vodka I have ever tasted with Kettle One,Deneka, and Tito’s Handmade at the top in that order.
    By the way ABC carries Deneka and this is a vodka that can be purchased in the less than $20.00 range for a 1.75 liter and blows away anything else at that price(of course my opinion)
    For the price, I don’t think you will find a cleaner vodka than popov and a straight shot is fine with me. I really don’t find much difference between Popov and Grey Goose other than price.
    Though for a Vodka you are not going to mix with Juice, I again defer to Deneka. And if you have the bucks, once you try ZYR you will drink nothing else if you are a true vodka aficiando.

    jeremy shamis

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Art Gekiere

    No Rating

    My wife and I are Martini drinkers we have always enjoyed Popov Vodka. We do enjoy the Premium Vodkas with Guest but I personally like Popov. Now the reason for this comment I purchased a 1.75 Liters bottle UPS Code #8200010969 3 It was the worst tasting Alcohol I ever put in my mouth, both my wife and I dumped our Martini’s out. It tasted like rubbing Alcohol. Was this a bad batch and have you had other complaints..I bought another bottle since in a totally different area and it was what I usually enjoy. What happened…If I had this experience again I will have to change my brand choice.

    Art Gekiere

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By jeremyshamis

      I sincerely believe it is the way your liquor store stored it or where it was warehoused prior to delivery.

      Reply

      • Popov Vodka Review By Robert

        Is there more than one Popov? The one we have down here is like Taaka or < href="/vodkas/aristocrat_royal">Aristocrat. I’ve only seen it in plastic bottles at bottom shelf prices. I’m no Grey Goose fan, but even Goose is miles beyond the Popov I’ve had.

        We did enjoy ZYR, for what it’s worth!

        Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By joe

      yes you are correct I have a serious hangover which never had Just checked my bar code it’s the same something is up with popov

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By WillieMac in Cleveland

    4 *****

    Kamchatka is the cheapest and biggest seller I believe in Ohio, but the other month I saw Popov was competitively priced and gave it a try. I guess Diagio is going after mass market. I think it’s dandy. Far smoother than Kamchatka. For the price I’m sold.

    WillieMac in Cleveland

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By nancy

    No Rating

    I usually buy popov when I want to drink vodka and have for years but, twice in the last year or so, I have gotten popov that smells and tastes like turpentine!!! Yuk ! Today once again I am going to pour it out on the ground. I am not happy and would like my money back. The worst part of this is, I live in a dry county and its a 38 mile round trip to the liquor store. I am done with Popov

    nancy

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By drigdon2289

    No Rating

    One of the worse vodkas Ive happened to come across. When I drink other vodkas with my friends and we come across a really bad one we judge it on if its worse than popov; if it is we declare it undrinkable. Also one of the worse hangovers I’ve ever had.

    drigdon2289

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Chucks

    No Rating

    Popov has a really really bad rap and really, deservedly so taste-wise. But when you’re poor or unemployed or both there is nothing better to be had. It’s a shelf above the stuff like Gordon’s or Kamchatka so you don’t have to feel like SO much of a loser buying it (think the difference between buying MD 20/20 and Sutter Home). I agree Popov is NOT meant to be taken straight. Buy a 2-liter of 7-Up or some tonic or a canister of Country Time and you’re set. Sometimes vodka is not meant for sipping or savoring, sometimes you just want to get drunk. Popov burns all the way down so you know how much you’ve had and it makes you feel it so maybe you won’t go overboard. It’s definitely not the best you can buy but you can do worse.

    Chucks

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By VodkaCrazee

      I agree with you. No vodka can be worse than Bartons.. ugh. but I luv popov cuz I can handle it, and can afford it, and I can shoot it straight. It has definitely kicked my ass in the past, but it does not give me hangovers and I now know when enough popov is enough LOL.

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By naomi

    3 *****

    Decent for the price. Does the job. Better than Country Club but not as good as Tito’s. Will purchase again when finances are a little tight.

    naomi

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Doug Thom

    4 *****

    First learned of Popov working as a bartender in Nathan’s in Washington DC. It was the rail vodka. Then I saw the results of a blind taste test in the Washingtonian magazine of a full range of vodkas available at the time, around 1990. Popov was second or third. Therefore why pay more? Put it in a Grey Goose bottle if your friends are snobs.

    Doug Thom

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By BillK

    5 *****

    Read the labels on Smirnoff and Popov. Both are produced in the same plant in Connecticut. I read in an older A.B.C. monthly that Smirnoff wants to control all 3 vodka markets: Top shelf, middle, and bottom shelf vodkas. Therefore, they have Popov for their mid-line and Relska for their bottom line. They want to sell to buyers in all economic markets. And, being that it is much cheaper to distill and filter everything the same way, they can make more money by using the same product in all 3 brands!?
    I have not tried a blind taste test between Popov and Smirnoff, but I will. I do know that Smirnoff beat all the top-shelf premium vodkas in blind taste tests. Grey Goose fared very poorly.

    BillK

    Reply

    • Popov Vodka Review By Robert Brodrecht

      Both brands are currently owned by Diageo. I need to update my database some day…

      Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Rob

    2 *****

    Popov and cheap liqueurs have their purpose. If you’re throwing a party and don’t feel like burning up thousands on pricy booze, then the cheap stuff is the way to go. Or if you want to make a few cocktails and need cheap stuff to mix, then take the low road. But buyer beware. If your intent is to get drunk and you get a 1.75 liter for $10.99, well you’re basically asking to get violently sick and be stuck nursing a hangover the next day. And we’ve all been there, even me. Standing in a liquor store with another with another week until payday debating if the 1.75 for $10.99 or $29.99 is the one to get, and we get the cheapest stuff for our money, only to be regretting the next morning. So, be wise, learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others.

    Rob

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Bob S.

    1 *****

    Got me drunk, didn’t taste all that bad. Worst hangover of my life! I Probably had food poising – I hope.

    Bob S.

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Dave

    2 *****

    No. Just no. I’ve had this. A couple times at college, and once out in the woods with travelin’ kids. It’s a few dollars more than bottom shelf and possibly less caustic than the most infamous of locals (e.g, Rubinoff, Mr. Boston’s, Poland Spring). I certainly purged my stomach linings. Every time. It was a bittersweet night. Every time. I do recall, the last time I had it, while coffee was no savior and food was not an option, I was half-human by noon. That’s a step above the gutter-tier. Regardless, solid, reasonable middle-class glass-bottled vodkas aren’t much more. Scrounge your couch cushions for a bit longer. Drink less. Compromise some how. Whatever the solution, it’s worth it, as Popov is plainly caustic going down, going up, and traveling throughout your body too.

    I must note, I’ve only had it straight from the handle, no chaser in sight. I didn’t know people consumed fare such as Popov otherwise!

    Dave

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By ActionxJack5on

    No Rating

    I actually liked this vodka. Sure, it wasn’t the best tasting, but it went done smooth when shooting. Mixing cocktails with Popov is great. It’s an inexpensive vodka that doesn’t hurt your wallet. In my opinion, it’s a tier below Smirnoff.

    ActionxJack5on

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Chris Hopkins

    No Rating

    Damn guys you just gotta take it straight. Man up and down it. But just a warning it hits you like a ton of bricks; I would say its a heavier hitter than a lot of other vodkas (Absolut, grey goose, smirnoff). It’s good to buy in a pinch, but smirnoff is definitely the better choice if you can cough up a few extra bucks.

    Chris Hopkins

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By Will

    No Rating

    This is the worst vodka I’ve ever had the misfortune to drink, and I drink a lot of vodka.

    Jet fuel.

    Will

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By C

    No Rating

    This vodka is awful and you’ll get a nasty hangover from it

    C

    Reply

  • Popov Vodka Review By RayJay

    1 *****

    What in Hell are all of you talking about! Popov is HORRIBLE! It smells just like rubbing alcohol, and tastes like I imagine RA would. Either your reviews are fake or you REEEEEALY don’t have much experience with vodkas. It’s brutally bad. I WILL NEVER BUY POPOV AGAIN!

    RayJay

    Reply

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