Smoother Than James Bond...

I'll admit it, I love vodka. Of all the infinite alcoholic ambrosias in the world, the crisp and refreshing simplicity of a sip of a vodka is a nearly religious experience.

The problem is that I have a short attention span, which means I need a constant supply of new and good vodkas to keep me happy. My latest pleasure? Chopin...

The Story of Vodka

Until its commercial rebirth, vodka has the horrible connotation of being a drink for people who "didn't know better". This was due to the low quality of the available products, many of which were inadequately filtered and full of impurities.

Originally created as a fermented potato brew, vodka has been seen as an alcoholic symbol for Eastern Europe for generations, as stereotypes still abound of hairy Russian men drinking it like water. This is frighteningly untrue, as vodka has always also been the alcoholic beverage of choice of the Russian nobility. Within the last 3-4 years, however, the spirit has had a resurgence of popularity, making an even bigger commercial comeback than Cher. Premium and super-premium vodkas are being unveiled at the rate of one a month, and many of them display the incredible delicacy that this drink can have. Each country now wants into the act, looking to its own vodka as a source of national pride, as vodka quality is still an important aspect of many European cultures. Russia of course has the most invested in this competition, and as such it has a grand reputation to live up to.

The latest and greatest new brands on the market aren't Russian, but Polish. Chopin is one of these newcomers, and it's making a great name for Polish production.

Tasting Notes

When you open a bottle of Chopin, the notes that hit you are those of rye and sugar, with an almost indetectable touch of citrus. The taste follows the nose exactly, with the rye dominating but supported by the sweetness. The burn is here, of course, but it is perfectly balanced with warmth and the return of the citrus notes.

The best part of Chopin? Why the smoothness of course. A sip of Chopin is like drinking a glass of liquid silk. There's no nasty bite here, just a luxurius delicacy that will make you wonder why you ever sipped any other vodka. Ok, maybe not that good, but darn close.

Serving Notes

While the best way to serve Chopin is over ice, where the full flavor can be appreciated, here's a recipe for those who prefer longer drinks:

Caconti's Scroppino Recipe(Adapted from a secret Venetian recipe)

1 pint lemon gelato or sorbet
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup champagne(sweet not dry)
4 tablespoons whipping cream

Pour all of the ingredients in the blender and mix well for 30-45 seconds, or until smooth and frothy. Serve and Enjoy!

Pricing & Availability

But $28-31 a bottle, is that worth it? I would argue yes. My many adventures in the world of booze have taught me that you get what you pay for at the liquor store. Nowhere is that more true than with Chopin, where an extra few dollars a bottle buys you something worlds apart from Absolut.

As for availability, a bottle of Chopin Vodka can easily be found at any quality liquor store.