thanks for giving me something to do this weekend.

Haha. Here is some more discussion about carbon filtration of liquor: http://www.brewhaus.com/forum/messages/13/10.html?1091292785

It's not that it makes the liquor taste better, it just removes the taste. In the case of $6 bottles of vodka, this is a very good thing. ; )

Cool! I'm totally gonna do that this weekend. Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I added vanilla extract....

I want to infuse my vodka with some flavoring now that is is filtered. I saw this quick guide to some infusion recipes: http://www.vodkaphiles.com/flavor.cfm

It doesn't include info about vanilla though. Also, don't add the flavoring until you are done filtering (remember, the filter removes flavor).

I had some vodka and cranberry juice last night, you couldn't even taste the vodka and I made them pretty strong. So yeah, the filtered stuff works great as a mixer. Adding some flavor will be nice.

Yeah i was thinking skurato vanilla and cokes ;)

You try it out yet.

It didn't seem to work that well, but we didn't save any of the orginal to compare it too. We just compared filtered cheep vodka to expensive vodka. The expensive vodka won, but like I said, it might not have been a fair comparison. Also, the filter wasn't brand new. Did you use a new filter?

Yeah, I used a brand new filter (after breaking it in by soaking it and filtering 2 pitchers of water). From what I understand, filtering the vodka really eats up the filters. After filtering about 3 bottles, you have to change filters.

Were you drinking the vodka straight? Straight up it is nothing special when compared to a more expensive vodka. The comparison to Ketel one is a bit of an overstatement -- but I think it holds up well against a midgrade vodka (Absolut or Stoli).

When you compare it to what you started with you notice a HUUUUGE difference. The Vladimir seriously turned my stomach and made me gag when trying it unfiltered. Not so after the Brita did its work.

How many times did you filter it?

I haven't done it yet...

6 times. We definately should have compared it to the orginal, and I agree that vodka straight is never any good.

We tried this with Popov and an old filter. All I know is that my vodka cranberry tasted a whole lot better than it usually does. It didn't have that nasty aftertaste that the Popov usually leaves.

How much does it cost to buy a Brita and the filter?

I already had the Brita. A new filter ran me $5.