Vodka Review: Five Lakes Vodka

Five Lakes Vodka Review – Initial Impressions:

Five Lakes Vodka is a vodkaI’m actually not really familiar with. It is made in Siberia, where it is then shipped worldwide. As I look at this bottle, it’s hard for me to get a real feel for the quality. It is a shipped in what looks like a simple 750 ml bottle. However, the base of the glass is actually contoured, so it almost appear like ripples or waves in the vodka container. A small detail, but definitely gets me thinking about water and these five lakes of theirs (and that this may be more than just your typical vodka).

These five lakes, located in Siberia (Russia), are Linevo, Danilovo, Urmannoe, Shaitan, and Potaennoe. They are more than 200 years old, with legends revolving around Potaennoe. Because it was not discovered until somewhat recently, it was said that whoever can locate it, will find super-health from the water. This is also the secret to Five Lakes’ smooth taste.

Well, I can’t think of better water to use to make vodka. Forget bottling and selling it straight, let’s kill two birds with one stone by getting people drunk AND extending their health! Let’s check out the shot.

Five Lakes Vodka Review -The Shot:

Immediately, I can get the faint smell of Absolut. This actually makes sense, seeing as they are both distilled from wheat. I know there are some people that love Absolut, but I personally think it tastes like wood alcohol. So that doesn’t bode well for Five Lakes. I give it a little swirl in my shot glass and toss it back. I am surprised when that Absolut burn I was expecting doesn’t arrive. It actually is very smooth. I can also tell this is made using a natural water source because I immediately get a rich mineral water-like flavor.

This shot impressed me by it’s smoothness. It doesn’t quite have that sweet smell I have grown accustom to on some of my favorites, but I still really enjoyed this.

Five Lakes Vodka Review -The Mixed Drink:

I went ahead and mixed this with cran-apple juice (my favorite) and made myself a nice little 2-1 ratio drink. As I swirled my glass, I went to take a swig when that wave of wood alcohol scent washed over me. I was very surprised that it would come through the juice, as mixers tend to really mask this attribute of vodka. I went ahead with the sip and the vodka was mellow and mixed well enough with the juice, but the smell still lingered.

Listen, I understand that vodka smells like alcohol. I also understand that to most people, they all smell like shit. But just as I can pick out a cocktail made with Absolut, I could definitely pick up this vodka.

Five Lakes Vodka Review -Final Thoughts:

Five Lakes Vodka turned out to be a good vodka that I would gladly shoot. I don’t know if it was just me today or what, but the smell of alcohol seemed stronger to me than my usual stand-by’s. But I won’t penalize the shot for this, as it went down smoother than Stolichnaya, which has tried to corner the Russian vodka market. If you see this in store near you, I would pick it up if this is how you plan on taking your vodka. And again, still better than Absolut.