In A Nutshell
Premium Russian vodka at an unbelievable reasonable price.
TCL Rating:
Russian Standard Vodka
(Original
)
Russian Standard Vodka
(Gold)
What They Say:
“Russian Standard vodkas are made with only the finest Russian ingredients, conforming to the formula for vodka established in 1894 by famed Russian scientist Dimitri Mendeleev for Russia’s Czars.”
What We Say:
Ms S
Even for a gin fan, this vodka has a surprising depth and character that stands up for itself neat or mixed in a martini. I’ll put this down to the Russian Winter Wheat and the soft, pure water from Lake Ladoga but then what do I know? The important thing for me is that it tastes bloody good and for a change, makes me appreciate the subtleties of vodka.
The Gold has an even mellower taste with a vanilla smoothness and deliciously sweet finish that gives a very agreeable mouth feel. I’m not usually a fan of drinking spirits ambient but to fully appreciate the taste of this particular vodka, I recommend trying it ‘nude’ before moving on to mixing it up in a martini or your favourite vodka-based cocktail.
Although the recipe supplied recommended shaking the martini, we couldn’t, going instead for the traditional stir. I still prefer my gin martini but the ones we tried with Russian Standard vodka definitely come a close second which is high praise indeed.
Mr G
Both the Standard and the Gold really deliver on taste and mixability. The former has little aroma but a surprisingly sweet taste with hints of liquorice. Full in the mouth with a finish that is quite powerful yet at the same time nicely smooth. Meanwhile the Gold, whilst again light on aroma, has a fullness that is underlined with a lovely suggestion of honey, then a long, very smooth finish.
The Standard and Gold both made for good martinis. The Standard balances really well with the vermouth for a flavoursome drink, leaving a clean taste – great for an aperitif. The Gold has a very likeable lightness, lots of flavour, is rounded and smooth – with real depth. It also had a beautiful gentle finish. Although I tend to go for gin more these days this slips nicely into my portfolio of very drinkable martinis.
Fun Fact:
According to Russian vodka drinking tradition, if you look into the eyes of the person you’re toasting, you can see into his soul. On a more racy note, it is said that if you do not look into the eyes of the person in front of you during a toast, then you are cursed with seven years of bad sex! (So now you know!)
Recipes:
Standardtini
55ml Russian Standard Vodka
15ml Dry Vermouth
Method:
Shaken not stirred
Gingertini
55ml Russian Standard Vodka
15ml Dry Vermouth
Lemon twist
Slice of fresh ginger
Method:
Combine ingredients, including ginger with well crushed ice in a mixing glass. Stir well, strain and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with ginger.
Berryoska Blackberry
50ml Russian Standard Vodka
3-4 blackberries
Juice of half a lime
3 tsp sugar
Crushed ice
Method:
In a tumbler, muddle the lime juice, sugar and blackberries to create a paste. Top the glass up with crushed ice. Add vodka and stir well. Top with extra crushed ice and garnish with a few blackberries.
Russian Standard Vodka Original
Taste 
Packaging
Desirability
Value
Russian Standard Vodka Gold
Taste
Packaging 
Desirability
Value 
The Details:
40% abv.
Price: (Original) £13.49; (Gold) £20.
Available in all good supermarkets and specialist drinks shops
