The Vodkaphiles Review
Made in: Russia
Distributed/Imported in the US by: VMI Limited
Main raw material: Rye
Expected retail price: $ 15.00
| Characteristic | Score | Possible |
| Aroma/Fragrance | 16.80 | 20 |
| Appearance/Texture | 18.20 | 20 |
| Taste/Aftertaste | 40.60 | 50 |
| Packaging/Marketing | 9.40 | 10 |
| Totals | 85.00 | 100 |
.RU Classic
Here are the comments our experts shared on this vodka.
It's very smooth but doesn't have as much character as I like in a Russian vodka. Also has a bit too much of an alcohol aroma. That said, it is great for mixed drinks, just not my first choice for drinking straight.
This is a classic. The nose, carrying a hint of alcohol, is bright and vibrant. It has a creamy, velvety texture that is soft on the palate, and the taste is clean, fresh, nicely balanced. The bottle design is somewhat pedestrian, but what's inside more than makes up for it.
The texture is round and creamy when frozen, but the fragrance is a bit tinny at that temp. When warmed, however, the vodka displays nice licorice and grain tones. It goes down smoothly and cleanly, with no bitter aftertaste. Excellent for mixing, best drunk at room temperature or just slightly cooled if straight up. The bottle is sleek and unassuming, the packaging nicely understated.
The bottle is really attractive, very modern and minimalist in design. I would give the packaging a 10. This is a refined, elegant vodka, truly superb. It is subtly aromatic, offering mild, fresh grain, wet stone and light mineral. It is clear, clean, fresh, smooth, rich, round, creamy and almost buttery. The taste is light mineral and gravel, citrus, herbs, white pepper, wet stone, vanilla custard and a trace of stone fruit. It is well-balanced, with a long, vibrant, spicy finish and no hot aftertaste. An exceptional, Russian Vodka.
Sweet, almost creamy notes with custard, stone fruits and vanilla. Notes of mineral are subdued and non obtrusive. Some hints of herbs. Nice soft testure, pillowy, elegant with minimal grain or alcoholic tint. Mouthfilling, almost oily. Clean, pure yet creamy in the mouth with anise, fennel, mineral and redundant vanilla flavors. Harmonious with lingering mineral finish. Rather sweet on the palate, suggesting some additives. Packaging is simple and understated, looks farily modern (read commercial) Like a canned beverage that comes to mind. Clean
Reviews of .RU Classic by visitors to the Vodkaphiles website
Our vodka experts are dispersed around the country, tasting the very best vodkas. We do not gather together in one place, engage in Groupthink, and otherwise influence one another's opinions. Each expert has their own tastes, preferences and quirks (but we share a tasting methodology). We feel all of this contributes to more interesting, honest results.
It is worth noting that, in our scoring, we use the full 100 point scale, not just the top 10 or 20 points of it. We don't believe in grade inflation, and we consider a score of 80 or above to be the mark of a fine vodka. The final scores tallied above are the average scores of our seven vodka experts from around the country.