# Vodka. No smell, no taste. Why drink it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [August 22, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919 "2013-08-22T23:31:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/1 "2013-08-22T23:31:19Z")
Inspired by the current zombie thread about vodka. Mostly I drink beer. On occasion I will drink hard stuff like single malt scotch, Cuban rum, or tequila. I do it for the taste and the buzz. But vodka has no taste, and is swallowed with mixers. So, vodka drinkers drink it because they want a buzz, but don’t like the flavor of other hard stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/2 "2013-08-22T23:40:42Z")
Moved to Cafe Society. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/3 "2013-08-22T23:43:55Z")
Vodka is the kind of poison one drinks in several rounds so a mild, smooth taste is good. Distills with a sharper, pronounced taste are one-shot cordials meant to whet your appetite before dinner. That’s how I see things. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/4 "2013-08-22T23:44:43Z")
Basically you’ve answered your own question. The only thing I’d add is that consumers of premium vodka are engaging in perhaps the purest form of conspicuous consumption I can think of. ---
**Author:** ![SuperNelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@SuperNelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNelson)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/5 "2013-08-22T23:56:10Z")
But vodka does have a taste, and a texture, both quite pleasant. And a pleasant sensation as it is sipped. Vodka only seems flavorless to me when it’s drowned in mixers. I don’t care much for scotch, but I do enjoy a vodka served “up”, sometimes with a twist of lemon. As for the premiums, I don’t really appreciate the very premium vodkas, but oh, boy, do I notice some of the cheap ones… ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/6 "2013-08-23T00:09:52Z")
Just like Samuel Jackson beer, “IT’LL GET YOU DRUNK!” Most people mix it, or do shots where the purpose isn’t to taste it, and often involves a chaser. Although, considering the trend for martinis to be vodka plus vermouth, and very little of the latter at that, it may be that some people enjoy slowly sipping vodka. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/7 "2013-08-23T02:07:47Z")
Vodka does indeed have a taste, and I don’t like it. When I was a kid, we would buy a bottle of Domsky, and I just assumed it was supposed to taste putrid, because dammit, we were trying to get drunk, and it didn’t have to be pretty. After not drinking at all for about 15 years, when I went back to drinking, someone offered me some Grey Goose and told me it was the ‘good’ vodka. It was awful. I do enjoy the taste of good scotch or tequila. ---
**Author:** ![yams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/848f3c/32.png) [@yams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yams)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/8 "2013-08-23T03:10:02Z")
Vodka tastes like nail polish remover. love yams!! ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/9 "2013-08-23T09:07:50Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > So, vodka drinkers drink it because they want a buzz, but don’t like the flavor of other hard stuff? That’s pretty much why I drink it. I hate beer (Wheat soda? No thank you!), Rum is too sweet, Gin too gross, Tequila I got sick on once ('nuff said!), and all Whiskey is poison! > [@yams](#): > > Vodka tastes like nail polish remover. We just had a thread on this, only cheap Vodka tastes like paint remover. The good stuff, while not sweet & yummy exactly, is very smooth. And once your body begins to associate the \*effect \*Vodka has it begins to ‘like’ (or at least not mind) the _taste_ (in other words, once you start to become an alcoholic!) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/10 "2013-08-23T10:02:21Z")
For those times when you want a quick buzz without messing around. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/11 "2013-08-23T13:16:55Z")
I never understood the claim that it has no taste. I think it has a very distinct taste, and I kind of like it. A good dry martini is strong, cold and bracing. I enjoy sipping it, not just for the buzz- although there is that- but also for the strong flavor of _alcohol_. The other thing I enjoy about a martini is the ritual of preparing it- ice in the shaker, a tiny splash of vermouth, pour in the vodka to chill. Take out the cutting board and a lemon. Slice off a peel, rub it around the inside of the glass, twist and drop in. Give the vodka a stir or two. Open up a box of crackers and slice some cheese on the cutting board. Give it another stir. Pour my wife a glass of wine. Put the lid on the shaker and give it a few vigorous shakes. Strain into the glass and watch the light glisten off the tiny shards of ice as they float around in the thick, almost syrupy solution. And that first, ice cold sip… mmmmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/12 "2013-08-23T13:24:52Z")
I prefer some drinks to be ‘crisp’ instead of syrupy and vodka provides that. It also allows the flavor of what it’s mixed with to come through cleanly, the OJ, cranberries, vermouth and olives or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/13 "2013-08-23T13:26:20Z")
to get drunk is it really that big of a mystery idk i don’t really like the taste of any liquor and vodka is the most neutral so there it is ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/14 "2013-08-23T13:32:23Z")
Vodka just tastes like alcohol to me. There’s no reason to use it to flavor anything it simply exists to add alcohol to something. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/15 "2013-08-23T13:38:09Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Basically you’ve answered your own question. > > The only thing I’d add is that consumers of premium vodka are engaging in perhaps the purest form of conspicuous consumption I can think of. The makers of bottled water would like to have a word with you. I think with vodka there is a point where higher quality makes sense, cheap vodka is vile, but there is a stark drop off at the other end of the scale. You quickly reach a point where good vodka is good vodka. The flavors just aren’t as complex as they are in a whiskey where you can have two very good bourbosn, for example, that taste very different, but are still good. Good vodka is good because it lacks complexity of flavor. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/16 "2013-08-23T13:49:14Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > I never understood the claim that it has no taste. I think it has a very distinct taste, and I kind of like it. A good dry martini is strong, cold and bracing. I enjoy sipping it, not just for the buzz- although there is that- but also for the strong flavor of _alcohol_ A good dry martini is made with gin, not vodka, unless specifically labeled as a vodka martini. And I don’t even like gin. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Although, considering the trend for martinis to be vodka plus vermouth, and very little of the latter at that, it may be that some people enjoy slowly sipping vodka. As mentioned, I don’t like gin. However, every once in a while, I’m more interested in how my drink looks than how it tastes. A vodka martini is excellent for that, particularly if you can get them to stir, rather than shake it (so that you don’t have lots of tiny little bubbles ruining the crystal-clarity of the booze). ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/17 "2013-08-23T14:33:33Z")
Vodka is, by legal definition, “A neutral spirit without distinctive character.” That is literally what it is. People who compare unflavoured vokdas above a certain minimum price point - say $10 are the same sorts of people who compare black levels on high-end TVs. Yeah, there’s a marginally discernable difference, but, really, what’s the point? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/18 "2013-08-23T15:13:31Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Vodka. No smell, no taste. Why drink it? To make other people more interesting. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/19 "2013-08-23T17:36:44Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > As mentioned, I don’t like gin. However, every once in a while, I’m more interested in how my drink looks than how it tastes. A vodka martini is excellent for that, particularly if you can get them to stir, rather than shake it (so that you don’t have lots of tiny little bubbles ruining the crystal-clarity of the booze). Shaken vs. stirred is a debate for the ages, but the general rule is: James Bond has been helping bartenders ruin martinis (martini?) for ages. Especially if they’re gin, stirring is better. Besides, what Bond drank does not resemble a martini in any way, with gin AND vodka, plus an ingredient that isn’t vermouth, and even doesn’t exist anymore! Then put all that in a champagne glass. “I’d like a scotch on the rocks. 4 parts brandy, 2 parts Cointreau, 1 part lemon juice. Thanks.” ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919/20 "2013-08-23T17:41:50Z")
Vodka has a smell and a taste, and both are bad (to me). Straight raw alcohol. Gin and white rum, on the other hand, are delicious. I also like tequila. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-no-smell-no-taste-why-drink-it/666919.md?page=2)