Chopin proves the vodka base makes all the difference

Chopin

Vodka can be made from almost any fermentable food on the planet, but does it really make a difference? The short answer is yes, and no one proves that better than Chopin Vodka.

You’ve probably seen Chopin at the bar or liquor store. It’s one of several tall, thin, opaque bottles that typically sits on the top shelf. What you might not know is that they make three different vodkas, each of which starts with a different base.

If all vodka tastes the same, why bother? Well, they don’t all taste the same. Each of the three – potato, rye, and wheat – offer a different experience, and figuring out which one you like the most will go a long ways in improving your drinking life.

Most people think of potato vodka when they think of Poland, so we’ll start there. Potatoes are notorious tough to distill because they release more impurities than most. The flip side is that they also create the most well-rounded and full bodied vodkas. Because the flavors in vodka are subtle, texture plays a bigger role than usual. Chopin’s is wonderfully creamy, like the perfect mashed potatoes. [Other examples: Titos, Karlsson’s Gold]

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Rye isn’t a hugely popular vodka grain, but it makes for a very unique product. Much like whiskey, vodka made with rye tends to have have more spice to it. You obviously aren’t going to get the huge flavors you do from whiskey, but it really perks up the spirit. Chopin’s Rye is silky smooth with just a little spice kick to it. This makes it perfect, in my opinion, for cocktails and cooking. [Other examples: Wódka, Belvedere]

Like I said, find what base is your favorite, and you’ll go far in this world. Mine has always been wheat vodka, and I’ve been drinking it on the rocks for years. I love the smell of bread dough, and you should be able to find that when smelling one. Chopin’s Wheat has a slight sweetness on the palate that really helps it stand out in crowd. It’s the newest member of the Chopin family, and it more than lives up to its kin’s reputation. [Other examples: Absolut, Ketel One]

If you’re drowning your vodka in cheap soda, which we’ve all been known to do, none of this is going to matter. While I happily tout the subtle flavors and textures often overlooked in vodka, they’re typically ignored because like vodka for its nuetrality. If you actually enjoy the spirit and want to dig deeper though, there’s plenty of tasting to be done. Explore different single grain spirits, and find what you truly prefer.