Ravo Vodka 750mL

With the recent success of Hanger 1 we figured it was time to try another under-used region of the world and see if their offering was up-to-snuff. What we found was good, but just not in the same batting range. Ravo has a lot about that’s good, but there’s no single element that makes it pop like Hanger 1’s mixability.

If the above sounds disheartening – fear not. This IS a good vodka, and we put it actually on par with Hanger 1 from last month when taken straight. However unless you have some Snow Queen, or something smuggled – you likely are not taking your vodka straight. This is a nice light ‘cream-o-wheat’ vodka that you should try on the rocks for a night when you want vodka, and just vodka.

 

What they Say: “” (They have Government warning, and the info about production, but that’s it.)

 

Taste: 7.0 – At first it’s a bit clean, but that wheat flavor comes up rather quick – not a complaint though.

Aftertaste: 6.0 – The wheat then lingers for a quite a while, but there’s something there on the tip of your lips that’s wrong.

Burn/Smooth: 6.0 – There is a twinge of burn here that makes this not a ‘sipping vodka’, but that comparably is still quite good.

Aroma: 8.0 – It’s very light, and what you do get is very cream of wheat instead of nail polish. It’s not perfect, but well done.

Honesty: 7.5 – So they say nothing. The name Ravo comes from the Swedish words for raw and vodka – which make sense here. The frosted bottled is smooth, and overall they achieve something great here. Which is they don’t jizz, and let the vodka speak on it’s own. The look while bordering Eurotrash doesn’t fully go there, and you could reasonably see this in a well stocked bar.

Mixability: 6.167

Vodka Tonic: 5.0 – It doesn’t ruin a bit of tonic, but it’s not bringing much to the party.

Screwdriver: 6.5 – That’s a really good screwdriver. Nuff said.

White Russian: 7.0 – A fantastic white russian, it seems this does better in cocktails when it needs to bring little to the table.

Value: 5.0 – So this is twenty bucks. The problem we face again is that you can get a handle of Three Olives for the same price which is double the vodka. That being said there are worse options you could choose at this price range, and are more likely to do so via brand recognition. (Looking at you Belvedere and Ciroc)

Google Shop Average: $20

Website: http://www.palmbay.com/producers/ravo

 

Reviewer Scores:

BuffaloJern: 6.5

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Metric Score: 45.67/70 |+| Metric Average: 6.52 |+| Reviewer Average: 6.5

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Final Thoughts: We also typically don’t highlight things like this, but the bottle really is smooth. Like drop it from your hands even if you are not slippery from grabbing ice. We wish this extended to the spirit inside, because if this was as smooth as the bottle that’s exactly what this would need to put it over the top.