9/04/2006 12:12:00 PM|||Jodie Chase|||

Years ago, I could not tell the difference between a bad vodka and a
well-made vodka. They all looked like water, smelled like water and
attacked my tongue with ferocity. Since, in my mind, it was all bad,
I generally purchased store-brand vodka when I needed a bottle.

But recently, my opinion about vodka changed. I lined up six
different vodkas on the counter, each one supposedly the smoothest,
finest vodka around. The bottles were absolutely gorgeous. Some were
short, square and blue, making the vodka inside look like the ripply
surface of a pristine mountain lake. Others were tall and frosty,
making me wish I was wrapped in snow gear on a snowy slope.

Curious, I poured a bit of each vodka into a glass, stuck my nose in
the glass and smelled. Some of the vodkas did have an odor. I say
odor and not aroma because it was not pleasant. They smelled harsh
and chemically. Not like gasoline, exactly, but the smell made me
think I could probably pour it into my gas tank and not cause
any harm. Then I tasted. Some burned my tongue from front to back,
and set my esophagus on fire. Others, however, created only a mild
burn. These were much less offensive; almost drinkable.

The one vodka that stood out was the Skyy 90, a tall, super-elegant
bottle of vodka that is much higher in alcohol than the others. This
vodka was utterly clean, with no odor, and no flavor. It also had
shocking little burn as it hit the back of the tongue and throat.
This vodka was altogether different. I can't say it has a
dazzling personality, exactly. But its utter lack of personality is
certainly impressive.

It turns out the reason Skyy 90 outpaces the rest is that it's
the only 100 percent distillate vodka sold on the market. After
tasting the Skyy 90, my imagination was ignited. This would be just
the right mixer for a martini. In fact, it would be perfect in any
drink where the goal is for the other flavors in the drink to shine.

The problem is that since me and my people drink wine and beer, I
rarely have need of such a lovely, super-clean vodka. I say rarely
because I have to admit that I do have an alcohol habit of sorts --
I like to make my own vanilla. Even though I fully understand that
Skyy 90 is made for drinking, for me, that tall sleek bottle is
vanilla waiting to happen. After I tasted the vodka so that I could
tell you all about it, I put the libation to work. I cut open a pair
of vanilla beans and stuffed them in the bottle and set it aside for
two weeks.

When I pulled out the bottle, it was a rich amber color. I opened the
bottle and tasted the vodka. I was amazed. The high alcohol content
had pulled the flavor out of the vanilla beans, transforming the once
clear liquid into a bright, flavorful vanilla that I could pour into
puddings and cakes, cookies and ice cream. I could even put a little
splash in milk to create a beautiful vanilla-flavored milk.

Call me crazy, but I say when life brings you great vodka, make
vanilla.
_ Jolene Thym

|||115739749869406127|||When life brings vodka