Another day, another polish vodka where you have to stop from making the ‘more like shoe polish’ joke. Not because we malign Poland, but because their vodkas can be a real mixed bag. This at least is well on the cheaper scale, but as we’ve found probably the most in the case of vodka – something cheap can be good. This is not.
We find it odd knowing that for the most part the recipes of a vodka are basically the same, and really it matters how many times and the type of distillation used that determines how good something can be. It’s not like you can predict a flavor when again, or try endlessly to use different ingredients because in vodka if it’s bad – just distill it again and do it better, oh well.
What they Say: “Introduced in 1928 Luksosowa – an exceptionally smooth vodka taste. It is produced using an authentic recipe. Since 1962 it has been awarded with over 40 medals crown its high quality.”
Taste: 2.0 – It’s a biting taste and the barb of anything but alcohol is frightening to behold. Really not a fan.
Aftertaste: 1.5 – That aftertaste is just waves of awful. it’s ethanol and sweetness at first then ethanol and charcoal at the end.
Burn/Smooth: 2.0 – That is awful. It burns in multiple ways and no part of it is enjoyable.
Aroma: 6.5 – It is oddly odorless. There is a little bit of Purell/ethanol there but it’s not in the way that infects the senses or overpowers you.
Honesty: 2.0 – Smooth? Also, any recipe is authentic unless you like – stole it? Finally grammar of the last sentence aside, it’s taken you nearly 60 years to get 40 awards. We don’t really give those, but the industry hands them out like candy, and you couldn’t even get 1 a year (no wonder why). Overall – fail.
Mixability: 5.5
Russian: 6.0 – It’s not bad at mixing. The vodka isn’t creamy or stupendous, but it makes a fine Russian.
Screwdriver: 6.0 – Given how terrible this is, it’s actually quite nice as a screwdriver. It pretty much disappears into the juice.
Tonic: 4.5 – That’s not a great vodka tonic – oh sure you don’t get the awful taste ruining everything but it certainly is just a mixed bag when in the tonic.
Value: 3.5 – That’s cheap, but so is Wodka, or Three Olives, or even that Steel Dust from a few weeks past.
Google Shop Average: $12
Website: http://www.luksusowavodka.com/en/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 3.0
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Metric Score: 23/70 |+| Metric Average: 3.28 |+| Reviewer Average: 3.0
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Final Thoughts: As stated this is bad, it gets a 3 because it’s cheap and can mix decently. Otherwise – there’s no earthly reason for you to buy this among the crowded field that is cheaper vodkas. Sorry Poland.
This is the first review I have read here that I completely disagree with you. I like this vodka, and it is my go-to for a vodka martini, Bloody Mary or on the rocks with a twist, although I prefer gin for a martini and pink gin for on the rocks. De gustibus non est disputandum!