The Vodka Companion: A Connoisseur's Guide

Fabulous Book. I have taken an interest in vodka just recently since learning about the diffrences between the everyday vodkas,the premium and ultra premium vodkas.It has become sort of a hobby. I have enjoyed learning about the vast differences in quality of the ingredients and the history behind the vodka brands. I was happy to find this book and enjoyed the wealth of information and the beautiful photography. I too, as the other reviewer enjoyed the directory but was also disappointed that my favorite French vodka, Peureux Perfect1864 was not listed as well. I give a pass on that because I believe it has only been in the USA since 2005.I would have appreciated how the author would have handled Peureux Perfect1864 and their claims of being "the worlds highest quality vodka". It would have been an interesting review from such a connoisseur.The book is an awesome gift for any that would like to begin their vodka connoisseur education.

I really enjoyed this book. I have been interested in vodka for a number of years and have had a tough time finding good books on the subject. First and foremost, this is a coffee table book. Something for your friends to pick up and glance at while they are waiting for you. But it is also one of the best books on the subject, currently in print. It goes into a brief history of vodka production in many of the big vodka countries. The best section in the book however is the vodka directory which contains pictures, ratings and tasting notes for 65 different brands. It even delves into the different varieties offered by the many brands. Pictures of each bottle are also included. (This alone makes the book worth it). The only qualm that I have is that it does not include any information about Grey Goose Vodka, which is regarded as the best vodka currently on the market. This is probably due to the fact that the vodka is relativly new. But, the book is well worth the money. Some other books to look are at Vodka by: Bill Milne, Robert Von Goeben, and Maurice Kanbar. And the Buying Guide to Spirits publised by the Bervarage Tasting Institute of Chicago.