I need to expand my experiences with Wodka.
Would suggest going to Dan Murphys and getting anything other than those two.
Luksusowa (Potato) is my personal fave, but these are damn good too:
- Wyborowa (Rye)
- Zytnia Extra (Rye)
- Zubrowka (Rye with the Bison Grass)
Except for the Zubrowka, you should be paying about the same as the Smirnchuck Red, maybe a $1-2 more.
Suggest putting them in the freezer, and after a few hours, pour one against a bottle of Smirnchuck and let it sit in the shotglass for about 2-3 minutes to let the temp rise a little. I'd be testing them against one another so you can understand the difference.
From the 'Easier to get' ranges from cheapest to most expensive, Russian Standard, Finlandia/Skyy, Russian Standard Gold Label, Ketel One.
I don't think it's worth going to a higher price bracket untill you can tell the difference between Luksusowa and Wyborowa in a double blind test, but if you do then Albsolut Elyx @ $49 from DM's is fantastic stuff. Don't pay the $65 everybody else wants for it though, because at Dan's price it is buy 3 get one free!