# What's the dope regarding Patron and other expensive vodkas?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-dope-regarding-patron-and-other-expensive-vodkas/721281>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** liquor-alcohol\
**Created:** [May 31, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-dope-regarding-patron-and-other-expensive-vodkas/721281 "2015-05-31T20:15:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-dope-regarding-patron-and-other-expensive-vodkas/721281/41 "2015-06-04T21:58:07Z")

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> [@dracoi](#):
>
> Habeed, my recommendation is to see if you can find a place that will let you do a tasting of multiple products. There’s a whiskey bar near me that will let you do a flight of whiskeys; I think it’s five samples that come out to about two shots’ worth total. The idea is the same as wine tasting, but it hasn’t become quite as common with hard liquor.
> 
> As you go through the tasting, make notes about what you thought on each item. By comparing them head to head, you’ll probably notice flavor differences that could easily be forgotten if you tried them all on different days. If you keep those notes, you’ll be able to go into a store/bar and ask for recommendations in a way that will allow someone knowledgeable to make recommendations for you.

OK, it’s only beer, but pity the poor Ale-Connor: in England for over 500 years some unfortunates were appointed by the local _**[Assize of Bread and Ale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assize_of_Bread_and_Ale)**_ to go around tasting all the local beers and ales ( and bread ). In medieval times there might not be a lot of dealers ( mostly women ), but by the early 19th century there were 85,000 **[licensed](http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmhealth/151/151we16.htm)** places, and an untold number of unlicensed sellers. One Devon village I grew up in related that 100 years before every fifth house sold beer. And sometimes gin under the table.  
That was proper tasting !

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