The Vodkaphiles Review

Made in: Russia
Distributed/Imported in the US by: BMC Imports
Main raw material: Hard winter wheat and rye; artesian well water
Expected retail price: $ 55.00
This vodka claims to be a step above even superpremium vodkas, because the Ultra vodka undergoes an additional rectification treatment to practically eliminate the traces of all congeners. Russian scenes are hand-painted directly on bottles and new scenes are introduced twice yearly.

Characteristic	Score	Possible
Aroma/Fragrance	15.50	20
Appearance/Texture	17.00	20
Taste/Aftertaste	41.33	50
Packaging/Marketing	8.50	10
Totals	82.33	100

A hand-painted bottle? Absolutely amazing. Although I plan to hoard this product, don't blame me if I save the bottle and pour in the store brand. It's too sensational not to have ongoing residence on one's liquor shelf - or mantle for that matter.

I expected this one to be better than the Classic style, but I hated it. It has no aroma at all, and it has a harsh, bitter taste and burns on the way down. If the Classic represents the best of Russian-style vodkas, this represents the worst, to my taste. The bottle is admittedly gorgeous, but unlike the caps on the other three, this one did not have a sharp tack to puncture the plastic seal, and it was quite difficult to open. If for some reason my cap was simply defective, then the packaging rating would increase to 10.

More supple and creamy with vanilla, custard, rich plum, passion fruit, and tropical nuances, showing only mild grain or mash componant.
Beautifully balanced, rich creamy supple mouthfeel with no astringency or angularity. Refined almost pillowy texture. Relatively inert with respect to component flavors, this straight forward refined spirit does present some vanilla, custard and pear flavors with mild citrus in the lightly spiced lively finish.
Package has greater appeal due to its painstaking rendition of a colorful mythical adventure. Still a bit awkward but offers a bit more intrigue than its counterparts. Pourer is problematic.

Pleasing aroma of mild herb, grain, camphor and a faint cherry tone. Well-balanced, very clean and fresh. Pristinely clear, clean, creamy, silky, full and smooth. Lovely palate resembling the nose. Elegant, well-balanced, complex. Long, smooth, silky finish. However, shape reminded me of Bombay Gin.

A very silky texture; pours like syrup when frozen. The taste is initially very smooth and clean, but there is a lingering bitter aftertaste and none of the character that distinguishes the Classic brand. There is no distinctive fragrance. Perhaps this is a case of a vodka that is too smooth...

Fabulous!