When most people think of Russian liquor, vodka is the first thing that comes to mind, so we were excited to try vodka from Russia’s number one selling vodka brand. Released in 1998, Russian Standard Vodka is owned by entrepreneur Rustam Tariko’s Roust Group. It is produced in St. Petersburg, Russia in a top-notch distillery. This vodka is made from choice wheat grain and is charcoal filtered two times for extreme clarity. Russian Standard gets it’s name by conforming to the “standard” formula for vodka production established in 1894 by Professor Dimitri Mendeleev for Russia’s Czars, and the bottle even has Mendeleev’s signature depicted on the bottom of the bottle. The bottle’s shape is inspired by the 200-ton bell commissioned by Tsarina Anna I that stands at the foot of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in Moscow. It’s an attractive bottle, and the raised portions around the label make for easy gripping, which is a must for the booze hound and the budding alcoholic alike.
Russian Standard vodka smells like you would expect vodka to smell. It’s definitely reminiscent of rubbing alcohol, but there is also something else there. Maybe it’s just me and my unhealthy affinity for vodka, but I catch hints of earthy wheat after sniffing the spirit admittedly too much. It’s somewhat appetizing. Remember, it’s distilled from whole wheat, which is part of a staple food group in the USDA’s food pyramid. They probably didn’t have vodka in mind when making that pyramid, but it’s my body; I’ll put whatever I want into it. I digress. The taste of Russian Standard vodka is nothing extrodinary, but it really does embody a good, traditional vodka taste. It’s very smooth for a vodka in it’s $25 or less price range, and it doesn’t burn the esophagus on the way down. The flavor might come off as a little bland, but there is a distinct wheaty, breadlike flavor that comes across more in the finish and aftertaste. The aftertaste lingers a bit more than you may expect from vodka, but it is a warm, pleasant one. It just stands as a reminder that you have been touched by a spirit, and it urges you to make repeat contact. Unlike my theiving house banditos, this is a spirit that is certainly welcome in my home.
Mixing Russian Standard does what most good vodka does, blend. Even mixing with Sprite© tucks all the bite and sting of the liquor away behind the carbonated flavor. This vodka doesn’t add much to a mixed drink, but you can still taste a hint of that breadlike taste in the aftertaste. I would definitely recommend this for making mixed drinks; just don’t expect it to add too much to the beverage. You might want to spring for something more flavorful for a vodka martini…maybe something like Cîroc or Level.
The buzz I got from Russian Standard sank me into a relaxed, you might say almost lethargic state. I became content with my surroundings, which happen to be my empty and lonely bedroom, and felt a sense of relaxation or even sleepiness. These feelings came about fairly quickly and never turned into a harsh or sloppy drunk. This would be good vodka to consume when meeting the girlfriend’s parents for the first time. It will get you nice and relaxed without too much concern of a drunken slip-up. No one wants to be loose-lipped about sexual exploits or other vulgar confessions while in the presence of the potential in-laws. And no, I’m not going to share a story with you, so bugger off!
On the flip side of the buzz, the feeling the next day was really nice. I felt a few cobwebs early on, but after gulping some water and taking a much-needed shower, I felt as good as new. Russian Standard is definitely one to consider drinking when you feel you have to get drunk, but you have obligations the next day. Don’t come after me if it hurts you the next day, but I really did feel spectacular the next morning. All things considered, Russian Standard vodka would make a good liquor to keep in stock at the home bar. I would stock it for making mixed drinks, but I can’t get it in any of my local liquor stores. Bummer. If you can get your hands on it, give it a taste, and let us know what you think.
Sipability - 7.5
Mixability - 7.5
Drunkability - 7.5
Hangover-ability - 9.0
Bang for the Buck - 8.0
Overall - 8.0 
Comments
First time I had this stuff was in Russia — my second vodka experience to be precise (my first was a Russian vodka named Гжелка [gzhelka]), so I may be a bit biased when I compare all other vodkas to my initial tasting. Certainly higher in drinkability than my third vodka — Aristocrat (upon returning to the States). Good stuff; has that minuscule amount of character which we find acceptable in a vodka.
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