Why? Because both are tasteless and forgetable? Or should be. On the other hand the east Europeans do know their vodka and reject our deballed mixtures of pure alcohol and water to make - by law yet - a tasteless, odorless spirit we call vodka. Nope, their version retains just a bit of flavor and that's the way they like it. And this flavor is not added but results from its parent raw material, often rye.
Two excellent examples: Wodka and Sobieski. What's Wodka? It's the Polish word for vodka, but it's also a brand, an experiment designed to turn Sidney Frank's marketing on its head. While Sydney worked hard to convince people that his cheapest possible water and alcohol mixture was actually a super-premium based on brilliant marketing, the Wodka people decided to actually tell the truth...
Sydney Franks: "It's only water and alcohol"
That truth - is that vodka is really quite easy and inexpensive to make well, and that a really fine vodka needn't cost much more than Grave's or Everclear Grain Alcohol. Thus while Grey Goose came in a bottle that costs way more than its contents, Wodka comes in the cheapest possible bottle, right down to a label that looks like it was produced on a Russian xerox machine that was low on brown toner.
While Grey Goose sells for super-premium prices, Wodka is available for $8.95 per 750. Is it any good? Of course it is. Sue Sea actually prefers it in her martinis. Wodka's goal was to sell an authentic and well made Polish vodka but at the lowest possible price, including the simplest possible presentation, to the extent that their vodka - "Wodka in Polish - isn't even named.
It's just Wodka, nothing more or less. Now Sobieski has succumbed to a bit more marketing, so sells for more, but not by much: just $10.95. As for ratings, even the Beverage Tasting Institute was impressed:
Sobieski got a more than credible "95", while "Wodka" scored a solid "90". These are very good scores (that we'd reverse) and absolutely right.
The Reviews
"Clear. Spicy aromas of star anise, cream, minerals and powdered sugar follow through to a round, silky entry and a smooth off-dry medium-to-full body with a long, lingering whipped cream, spice, rye dough, and sweet citrus fade with virtually no heat. Great subtle, pure, and spicy rye flavors with a lively texture and superb smoothness. An incredible value in a world of high priced vodkas."
Now I'll leave it to you to determine which review belongs to which vodka, but no matter. Both were properly deemed "best buys" and they should be."Clear. Aromas of toasty pastry and custard with a supple, glycerous, off-dry medium-to-full body and a creamy, powdered sugar, light pepper, and mineral finish. A clean, nicely made vodka that is a very good value.
The only better value is my own: "Capn Jimbo's Penultimate Cheep but Good Vodka", made exclusively from Graves Grain Alcohol and Walmart's Distilled Water, carefully blended, stirred twice and allowed to marry for at least 24 hours or until consumed, whichever comes first. Think I'm kiddin? Check this!