Product: Stolichnaya Vanil: This flavored vodka isn’t just for the ladies; real men like vanilla, too Producer: Stolichnaya Vodka Approximate Retail Value: $17.99 for 750ml Category: Vodka Country of Origin: Russia Reviewer: Jon Costantino The F Words: Flavor – Sweet, strong. Feel – Smooth without the burn. Finish – Stronger than it should be.

Rating:

Sure, for the most part, when you see the flavored Stoli shelf at your local bar, you’re thinking one thing: “Whose girlfriend is ordering that stuff?” But after trying Stolichnaya’s Vanil on a recent excursion, I can tell you that you can still order a vanilla-mixed drink without being so, well, vanilla.

What’s great about Stoli Vanil is that its flavor has just the right mix of alcohol and sweetness. My mixer of choice with the Vanil is Diet Coke, which, when mixed together, will make you want to contact the Coca-Cola company and tell them you found the new secret formula that they should have introduced in the mid-80s. As you sip it, the sugary taste of the vanilla lingers longer than the soda it shares the glass with. It also gives off a pleasant aroma that you wouldn’t mind passing over to your drinking companion for the evening. 

If there is a problem with the Stoli Vanil, it’s the aftertaste that accompanies the drink. This is when the alcohol really kicks in, stripping your drink of every last savory drop that made you order it in the first place. This will cause you to drink faster, since the only way to keep the aftertaste from being completely distracting is to drink faster. In turn, you will become far drunker than you anticipated which will result in some potentially dangerous situations. This leads to the other issue with Stoli: I find that I’m still tasting vanilla vodka a little too far into the next day, no matter how little or much I’ve had the previous night.   

For me, Stoli Vanil is sweet enough for me to enjoy, and it has helped me to overcome my aversion to mixed drinks at bars. But be forewarned:  Just because the flavor is light and enjoyable, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack the punch of your average vodka.  I still prefer Stoli Vanil and Coke over rum and Coke, but that doesn’t mean I might not be regretting it the next morning.