Best of the Best

Today there are over 300 vodkas on the market. Since the US standards for vodka are that it must be a pure spirit with no additives except water, and the main characteristic of vodka is that it has no distinctive color, aroma or taste. This makes it very difficult to rate.

Vodka, a clear, almost flavorless spirit, is usually thought of as the national spirit of Russia and other Slavic countries. Both Russia and Poland claim the invention of vodka and explain that the name is a diminutive of the word "voda" meaning "little water." Slavic countries have been producing vodka for more than 600 years.

Vodka was originally distilled only from potatoes, but today, it's also made from grain, mostly wheat, rye, and corn. But distillers don't seem at all hindered by tradition—in Turkey, they use beets! Vodkas are distilled at a very high proof (190 or higher), and most are filtered through activated charcoal. Certain charcoals are so important to the making of vodka that distillers patent them. High end vodkas are triple- and even quadruple-distilled, and some are filtered through fine quartz sand.

There are 0 carbohydrates, 0 sodium and 0 sugar in vodka. Hurray for Health! Plus only 97 calories in 1 1/2 oz. of 80 proof vodka and 124 calories in 100 proof. Great for those on a diet!

Vodka is very mixable and is used in three of the most popular cocktails: the Screwdriver (Vodka and orange juice), Bloody Mary (Vodka, tomato juice, celery salt, and other ingredients from your or your favorite bartender's recipe), and in the Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred.

Most important in judging any vodka is the vodka NOT the image of the bottle or the advertising. The following vodkas are rated solely on the vodka: